Tacos…just like El Toro Bravo on 19^th Street at home. What luck to find it. We walked to the hardware store and we passed this taqeria. It wasn’t open yet. As luck would have it, returning home, it was not only open, but crowded with a wonderful aroma wafting out from the doors. We oreded tacos and waited. They were the best!

Kelley and I wanted to go to Fort Myers Beach to look around. It is about a 30 minute drive (remember my outing to West Marine?). Diane and Bob said that if we went later (around 5:30) they would go with us. The 20^th Annual Christmas Boat Parade was to take place. Boat parade? We are game.

We found a spot at the bar in the Matanzas Inn and Restaurant and from there could see the boats come under the bridge. There were maybe 20 at the most. But a few of them would be great competition for the parade at home in Newport Beach. We definitely want to return to Fort Myers Beach with the boat. There are moorings and slips available. The town feels like old Lahaina: sleepy, but active.

From there we decided to head back towards home and have dinner at the MacGregor Café. The owner was welcoming and checked on us a lot. We sat out on the patio and had an outstanding meal. (In fact, Kelley and I had the same outstanding meal Sunday night!) After eating the owner returned and poured us a port and thanked us for coming. A great time was had by all.

On Full House we had the all in one washer and dryer and I never used it. Kelley complained that it took forever to dry anything. On this boat we have the same thing. But, living on the boat I knew that I would use it. There is a Laundromat in the marina but how nice to throw something in; if only to dry towels in this humid location.

But alas, the dryer not only took forever, but it never finished drying the small load. Kelley and I decided that we could fix this…if only look at it and shake our heads. Out it came from the cabinet.

Now on our port side live Nancy and Fred. He is retired and she is working J.C.Penny’s. They have a washer-dryer like ours and that is all Nancy uses. He brings us the newspaper every morning and always has a joke for me. They are a sweet couple. So, Fred wants to know what’s up. Kelley invited him over and the two of them take the machine top off and before you know it, Fred discovers that the fan can’t turn because it keeps hitting a screw. We are all surprised that the motor has not overheated, or worse, burned out. Mmmmmmmm. What to do? The men can’t get the top off this one part and that is where the screw is that needs to be lowered. Fred grabs some pliers and proceeds to break off the tips of the fan where they would be hitting the screw! Brilliant! Out of the box thinking! Now this took much longer for the men to come to this conclusion then I am letting on. But, I now cheerfully wash and dry clothes. Here are the men…with a celebratory beer! Thanks, Fred.

Today I didn’t want to drive anywhere….duh! Kelley was installing the new GPS and I became his “beck and call girl” while working on Sudokus. Finally in the afternoon Kelley was finished and we went for a walk. Walking on the Riverwalk is great. There is a park, fishing pier, and even electric plugs in the covered picnic areas (charge up that iPod?) Here is the pond sculpture:

These three men lived in here in the winter and formed a compound of sorts. There is a museum, lab, their houses and gardens that are open to the public. I plan to go next week and spend lots of time roaming. These 3 men were giants and began the industrial age.

Here is a taste:

I do not know whose house this is yet. It sits right on the river. Here is the site if you can’t wait for me: http://www.efwefla.org/.

The homes along the water are beautiful. The foliage gets out of control quickly, although I thought this tree was beautiful with its cape.

This area of Florida is flat and so the trees do not need to be trimmed to protect people’s views. If you are on the water you see it; if not, go for a walk. Cheers!