2014-6: Family in Florida

April 23, 2014

    I'd soon drop in on Marilyn's aunt in Siesta Key FL, but meanwhile I worked my way along the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle until the lack of roads forced me inland. 

Sunset over Gulf of Mexico, Siesta Key FL, a couple of days prior to my arrival.    

    I arrived in Gainseville FL to visit with Bud and his delightful wife, Mary. Bud and I were part of a small group of pilots who after earning our wings in jets were sent back to Pensacola to transition to helicopters. 

    It didn't take long for us to realize that the skill of landing a jet on a carrier had nothing to do with the ability to control a cantankerous helo. Great instruction coupled with hours of practice soon had us finishing the helicopter program, and finally we were assigned to a real squadron, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (HC 1), in San Diego. After successfully transitioning to the H-3 helicopter, we were both attached to DET 1 and the USS Kitty Hawk CV63 ("C" for carrier and "V" for fixed wing) and a tour off Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin at the end of the Vietnam conflict. 

Fellow Navy Helo Pilot, Bud.

    At the end of the tour, I returned to civilian life and Bud continued on to make a career with the Navy. Though we had not seen each other in 30 years, we soon returned to the jousting and humor that had made our friendship so special. A great hike followed by a wonderful evening with him and Mary left me desiring to grab Marilyn and visit them on our next trip East. 

Port Gibson MS-Siesta Key FL.

    I drove from Gainesville to Siesta Key on Friday afternoon, after 21 days of meandering. It was the end of Phase 1, my solo journey. 

    For years, Marilyn's Aunt Gret and Uncle Don spent several weeks each winter in Siesta Key FL, when Ohio winter typically resisted winding down. Since Don's passing, Gret has continued the tradition, always staying in the same condo. Their four children, spouses, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all schedule their visits. Marilyn coordinated her visit with her cousin Ann, Gret's daughter. 

Cousins Ann & Marilyn.

Aunt Gret, Ann's daughter Elise, Marilyn.

    The condominium complex is actually 6 buildings, each 7 stories high, on Siesta Key’s white quartz beach with great views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf & Bay, Siesta Key.

    Before I arrived, friends of Aunt Gret from home, Jeri and daughter, Mona, often joined in the beach strolls, poolside chats, and general leisure.

Aunt Gret, friends Mona & her mother Jeri, Elise.

    Ann chauffeured everyone to Winter Haven one day to visit Gret's daughter-in law Marie. Son Lee, a long haul truck driver, was on the road.

Day trip to Gret's son Lee & wife Marie's home in Winter Haven: Ann, Gret, Elise, Marie.

    Fortunately when I arrived there were more walks, conversations, and meals to be had, but my first order of business was to find a place to park the MRV, as the condo complex does not allow RV parking. A conversation with the front office, a nice word from the senior security officer, and soon I was given the opportunity to park in the lot outside the association offices. I thank the staff at Gulf and Bay Club for their understanding.

Privileged office parking for the MRV.

Gret & Ann. The white quartz never gets hot.

    It was a lovely weekend—great food, amazing conversations, and many walks on the beach looking for the elusive sand dollar (finally found a couple the size of a half dollar).

Our West Coast sand dollars don't have holes like those in Florida. 

View (through screen) from Aunt Gret's 6th-floor condo lanai: pool & grounds of Gulf & Bay, white quartz beach, Gulf of Mexico.

Gret & Doug on lanai.

    I must say, I did enjoy our condo respite. Yes, it is not what I would have picked, yet I’m looking forward to our next visit.

Doug & Gret.

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico from Gret's lanai.

Counterclockwise trek around the US to date:

Blue: Seattle WA-Fort Bragg CA. Red: Fort Bragg-Visalia. Green: Visalia CA-Tucson AZ. Purple: Tucson AZ-Port Gibson MS. Orange: Port Gibson MS-Siesta Key FL.