Written by Captain Mary on Sunday, March 25, 2012
A middle of the week break is always welcome, since my days consist of work and passing out when I get home, the weekends consist of relaxation, laundry, dog baths, re coop for the next work week. This week was different, I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with my sister, June, out of town.
Our journey started out with a ride down old 41, where there is just no traffic and beautiful landscape without any distractions. Getting on in years is a guarantee that I will have to pee somewhere along the road. My sister and I couldn't stop laughing when we continued to miss any possible turn-off. Not because we didn't pay attention to the signs, but, the signs didn't give us a chance to turn off without locking up on the brakes. After several attempts, we were on full alert and made a stop which offered us a short stretch and a bathroom break. We continued down 41 and watched the most fantastic sunset, the first day of spring and the sun was enormous. It was so difficult not to look directly into its path, for its beauty wouldn't allow our eyes to divert from it.
Our destination is Port Charlotte, a place just North of Ft. Myers, on the West coast of Florida. A mere couple hundred miles up the state. We continued down the road and headed onto highway 75, many lanes, by now the traffic was minimal. After the scenic road we drove strictly to get to our destination. We talked and talked, something we hardly get an opportunity to do. Approaching our exit and finding our final destination was pretty easy, the hard part was finding a hotel for the night. It had to be after 9 pm by the time we located a place to stay. It was clean and quaint, and more opportunity for us to be sisters, I only wish that my other sister, Cheryl, could have been with us. I know when I spend time with my sisters I can't help smiling and always get into deep conversation of every subject. I find both my sisters highly intelligent and there is nothing more rewarding than intelligent conversation. My job often exposes me to my vacuum and empty houses.
We were up late and really didn't sleep well, still got up early and went for our complimentary breakfast. A cup of coffee was essential to get the day moving. We didn't really do anything in the morning but lay around watching TV and talking until it was time for my sissy to go to her meeting. I was expecting her to be gone just a few hours.
I was on my own for the afternoon and the first thing on my agenda was to get a battery for her car alarm. I guess I didn't realize how much I depend on modern conveniences until I had to actually put the key in the door each time I needed to open it. I asked a few of the locals where a good place to enjoy the water might be, just about 5 miles south led me to Punta Gorda, to the bay that the Peace River fed into before eventually leading to the Gulf of Mexico.
The weather was warm and clear and I was on the hunt for some photo opportunities. There is something special about the water for me, but the west coast of Florida is not exactly my choice of bodies of water. Still I can't help the feeling I get when I am near the water, like therapy, a calming comes over me. A great way to replenish the soul. This view only made me miss the great ocean that I have grown so accustomed to, the Atlantic's open water.
The afternoon flew by and I returned to our hotel room. I was thinking that June would be calling soon to get a ride back. The hours continued and I had not yet heard from her. I got in the truck and went to see if everything was alright at her meeting place. The parking lot was still full, I could only assume that everything was well. Got myself something to eat and again returned to the meeting location, still in session I figured I would catch a nap. I fell asleep and was disturbed with the sound of pouring rain, the hours still passing since I dropped off my sister. Finally the rain let up enough and I was determined not to come back to the hotel without her. It was almost 10 hours since I dropped off sissy, she must be exhausted by now. I played Sudoku on my phone when June called, I answered with relief and we returned to the hotel.
I was glad that I had a nap, because she wanted to begin our journey back home. The adventure would not be over. We headed down the road when she decided she was hungry. I pulled off the last possible exit looking for a place that was open, we drove and drove. Finally finding a 24 hour McDonald's, but off the beaten track a bit. Back on the highway and the rest of our trip home was without event. More good conversation before we arrived back in Miami before 1:30 am. A great diversion and an adventure for the middle of the week.
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