A Sad Day!

Ken and I woke to our 7:00 alarm.  We wanted to get ready and then be outside when Chuck and Melissa were leaving.  They are going to Georgia to spend time with their daughters and their families before heading back to Nashville on Sunday.  (Melissa has jury duty on Monday!)  By 7:45 they were hitching up their CRV, so we went outside to say our final goodbyes.  Not much talking, but plenty of emotions!  By 7:55 they were on the way and we had already discussed seeing each other in Jan or Feb - it made us feel better!

Time to say our good-byes!

And off they go ....safe travels and continue
going somewhere while celebrating life daily!

By 9 Ken and I started our drive to Peace River CG Resort near Wauchula, FL about a 1 1/2 hour drive.  All went well and we were there by 11, after stopping for gas.  We were allowed to pick our campsite, and since we had never been to this CG, we weren't sure where we wanted to be.  The 1st site we picked was rather sandy, and after several attempts to get positioned properly, the sand became a problem - ruts!  On to another site.  That one had a thick cement patio, but not enough room for the slides and the steps to come out properly.  So, back in the CRV to look for site number 3 - and bingo, we found a good one, except for the ant hill I tramped on and the ants let me know they didn't appreciate my presence!!!!  We got set up and by then it was time for lunch!  Ken took a short nap while I worked on e-mails, my blog, and downloading photos. 

After Ken got up, he did some work on his computer - paying bills, etc.  Then he went outside to do more set-up.  When he came inside, he said he thought he was either stung or bitten by an insect.  We decided to take a walk around the CG.  As we walked, he kept itching the palms of his hands.  Then he said his body was starting to itch.  When we got back to Waldo he decided to get a shower, but when he started to undress, he had a rash around his waist, a few welts on his neck, and a bad rash in the groin area.  We decided to head to a drug store to get some Benedryl.  But, as we drove, the itching got worse and he kept coughing.  There was a small hospital very close to the CG, so we decided to head to the Emergency Room.  Long story short, they saw him quickly and gave him two injections and some benedryl.  We had to stay about an hour to see how he responded to the medicine.  All went well and we were out of there by 7.  Then onto CVS to fill some prescriptions.  The nurse said the rash usually lasts about 3 to 4 days, but by the time we returned to the CG it was almost gone!  Amazing.  We are just thankful he received care so quickly!  Still not sure what did this to him, but the nurse said they see almost 1 person per day with a reaction to bug bites.  Then she said, "Welcome to Florida.  We have different bugs here than you have in the North and this is what can happen!"

We heated up chicken and quinoa for supper, talked to Melissa and Chuck and asked them how soon we were getting together to play cards.  She said if they leave now they can be here in about 6 hours.  I will have breakfast waiting!  Maybe Ken's whole reaction was part of the Melissa/Chuck withdrawal syndrome!  We watched The Voice for the 1st time in a month.  A good night to just relax and regroup!