2/18: After coffee and breakfast, we completed the SunPass setup and put the rental car on it. Jim worked on Chatham Cares matters for an hour. Then drove to the Villages Pharmacy and picked up the Amazon package we had delivered there: bicycle chain/ lock, tablet case for Deb and a Lodge dutch oven. Back to the RV. Drove to Sanford where Jim retrieved his new eyeglasses. Picked up Elizabeth and Andrew at their home, then found a parking place about 20 blocks away. Dinner at Hollenbach’s German restaurant: sausage and pork, plus sauerkraut and Octoberfest beer. After dinner we walked around the bar and restaurant area and also to the St. John’s River waterfront. Sanford is a really nifty town, just starting to gentrify. Andrew’s house is right on the edge of that activity, so will be a good long term investment. Dropped Biz and Andrew at their home, then back to the RV.
2/19: Jim attended the NCGS Board meeting online from 10am to 2pm. Mike and Milly drove up from Haines City, arriving about 1330. after Jim signed off, we chatted a bit, then drove into Eustis for lunch at “The Crazy Gator.” Pretty good fish sandwiches (striped panguesis was the fish), fried pickles and calamari sticks. Restaurant was right on Lake Eustis, and there was a set of walkways (lake walk) out away from shore, upon which we trod. Lilly pads were on the shore and there were birds walking on them to find food. Birds seen included the common gallinule, one purple gallinule and grackles. Female grackles are brown and grey, shaped very much like the males. Binged on HGTV.
2/20: Long walk around the RV park. Drove to Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement for washers (screen door repair) and a battery powered vacuum. Mt. Dora and Eustis are very crowded, as is everywhere in Florida we’ve seen except the horse and cattle country between towns.
2/21: Left about 1030 and drove to Clearwater. Beach was crowded with a lot of blue cabanas and very white sand. Walked to condo rented by Mike and Jane after paying flat parking fee of $38. Chatted with Mike and Jane, catching up on news of family and friends. Drove to Dunedin for dinner. Dunedin had a nice bar/ restaurant area like Sanford. Back to our car after a rib dinner, then 2.5 hours drive back to RV.
