Gorgeous Beach Day and Then Dinner With Our Small Church Group From PA!

Ken and I were up by 7, did some reading, showered, and we had eggs for breakfast.  We cleaned up, packed some snacks and things for the beach, some clothes for changing, loaded the car and were on our way to Manasota Beach by 10.  We did make a stop at the bank and hardware store here on Pine Island.

We decided to take Route 41 instead of Interstate 75 to Manasota Beach because we thought it would be more "scenic".  Well, that may be somewhat true, but all the lights and the traffic made us realize that was a mistake.  We only arrived there at 12:30 and we were very fortunate to find a place to park.  It was definitely the best beach day we have had since arriving in Florida this season - total sunshine and 78 degrees - a perfect day!  

I got right to the "task" of sharks tooth hunting and hardly moved the entire time from a spot that proved to be very shark tooth friendly!  What fun!  Ken took a long walk looking for shark's teeth, shells, and seaglass along the way.  He may not be too good at multi-tasking, but somehow he is great at it on the beach.  I have to focus on one thing at a time when I am on the beach.  Around 2:45 we sat on our chairs and had some snacks and water.  Before we knew it, it was 3:15 and time to leave the beach.  We loaded up our "stuff" and were on our way to Lloyd and Deb's home in Venice, about 20 minutes from Manasota Beach.

Ken and I changed clothes at their house to get ready to go to dinner with the folks in our Life Group back home.  There were 5 couples who got together and 3 of us are spending time here in Florida in our motorhomes and Deb and Lloyd bought their house last fall.  Rick and Joyce spent 2 weeks in the Keys through their time share and will be spending a few days with Lloyd and Deb.  It is amazing to me that we were all able to get together in the Venice area to have dinner together.  Ken and I traveled the most mi les, but we were about 1 1/2 hours away - not bad!

After having some time to fellowship, we took two cars and the 10 of us went to Farlow's on the Water, a favorite eating place of Ken and I.  None of the group had ever been there, but they all loved the setting and the delicious food. Definitely a great place!  We had such a fun time together and truly appreciate their friendship and support.

Entrance to Farlow's on the Water restaurant near
Englewood!

Lloyd and Deb Eberly

Alton and Jane Good

Eddie and Lori Paparo

Rick and Joyce Zapf

Guess Who???

A Happy Group from PA!

This is part of Farlow's property.  What a location and setting!

After dinner, we all returned to the Eberly's where we enjoyed a delicious chocolate cake with peanut butter icing that Deb had made in celebration of Lori's birthday.  All of all sat in the screened in porch where we ate and had a fun time sharing, laughing, and just having a good time.  We all left about 8:15.

We were back to Waldo by 9:45, got everything out of the car and put in its place before heading to bed.  These last 2 days have been wonderful, but they have certainly been long ones.  We have not been in the CG very much this last week.  We are busy campers spending lots of time with special people who bless us whenever we are together.  A special thanks to all of you!