Those of you who really know us, know how much we HATE shopping! And imagine being somewhere without a car and really not a clue where everything is. Fort Myers is a sprawling city. It takes forever to get anywhere. The Barrys are letting us use their car when we need one. We thank them so much for that. But today, we all needed so many things.

Into their car we go…we hit, Lowes (a microwave convection oven for me); TJ Maxx (just to look but did find a treasure or two); Costco (duh); Sam’s Club (Barrys’ spot); and Totally Wine (another duh for those of you who KNOW us). At Sam’s Kelley bought us a pizza and we treated dinner and ate on Free Spirit with Dianne and Bob.

We were all tired puppies, but not too tired to play Mexican Train. Ann, I sure wish I had your game with the whistle!

Well, the adventure has begun. We took a new flight out of John Wayne Airport and it left later than the one we normally have taken. This meant a closer connection in Houston…we all made it! All meaning us and the bags. We arrived at 4ish and so did our slip neighbors, Dianne and Bob Barry. They were flying in from Colorado. Bless Dianne’s heart, she arranged a taxi that we shared to the marina.

An hour later, we are unpacked and off to dinner at the Morgan House. Didn’t take Kelley too long to get back into boat mode.

Here are our friends, the Barrys.

As we walked over the bridge to visit the “New and Used Marine Store” a la Miney’s, Kelley shared with me that he had heard a lady talking to the clerk there Sunday about a loud commotion near the river. She thought that maybe an alligator had gotten hold of someone. Scary! Alligators…

So, as I am cooking dinner I am watching the news and yikes!

Update: Woman’s body found floating in Fort Myers By WINK News

Story Created: Dec 11, 2007 at 3:51 PM EST Story Updated: Dec 11, 2007 at 11:11 PM EST

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A woman’s body was found floating in the water.

The Fort Myers Police Department is conducting an investigation into the death of a woman who was found in the Caloosahatchee River at approximately 1:55 Tuesday afternoon. The captain of a boat, that was docked near the City Pier, called police when he saw someone floating in the water.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday and police are attempting to identify the body though missing person reports and boating records.

No mention of alligators … probably wouldn’t have found her body.

Love this excitement! Looking forward to home tomorrow!

It is Christmas today. New bikes were purchased…I have to admit, I am overwhelmed at the amount of money that one of us is spending. There always seems to be shopping that needs to be done and the trip always turns into a “buying” trip, not a “looking” trip.

Our friends, Diane and Bob, left this morning for Colorado, their home, for the holidays. This afternoon I drove another couple, Jim and Maggie, to the airport. They are flying home to Las Vegas. Diane has arranged rides for everyone. Jim will pick Kelley and I up when we return in January. I will pick Diane and Bob up when they arrive. Diane and Bob are going to share there car with us. Others have offered their car as well. Boaters are so generous and helpful.