Fort Lauderdale, FL

One of the things I had to do in Florida was to stop and see my long-time friend, Nancy who moved to Florida about 4 or 5 years ago. I hadn't seen her in 5 or 6 so a visit was LONG over due!

I met Nancy in the early 80's when I lived in Missouri for a couple of years. Nancy had just become a stay at home mom and I needed a babysitter! Our relationship soon became one as friends and we have remained friends through the years! We've seen our children grow up together and witnessed many changes in our own lives as well!

Nancy knew we were coming, but I didn't know exactly when or how long. I didn't tell her once I knew the exact date...I kind of wanted to surprise her...and I did! The day that we arrived in Fort Lauderdale, I quickly got my things done around the motorhome and then drove to Nancy's work...a local pharmacy! There were a couple of people in line and I waited my turn! She looked at me, said "may I help you" and I told her I wanted to refill a prescription. She asked me my name and I told her, a split second later she screamed "Vicki" and we hugged! Since the last time I saw her I've put on a few pounds, my hair is white (it's really blond) and I'm wearing glasses instead of contacts! It was so funny! I left shortly after meeting all her co-workers and drove to her house to pick up her daughter, Amanda. I brought Amanda to the motorhome and we waited for Nancy to get off work and meet us at the motorhome! After a short visit with Amanda and getting caught up with her, Nancy arrived and the three girls set out for Mexican food! We had a great dinner and headed back to the motorhome. We talked for hours before Nancy and Amanda headed home! (Hmmm...Nancy didn't take a short cut home, but DID get home - finally!)

The next day, after Nancy got off work I met her at her house and finally got to meet Dale, her boyfriend. We (Nancy and I) headed off to get pedicures and enjoyed our time relaxing and talking! After that we went back to try to find a Brazilian restaurant but that never panned out, so we decided a steakhouse would have to do! Amanda and I left to pick up Don but once we got to the motorhome, Don decided it was too late for him to eat, so Amanda and I headed back to their house! We all piled in the car and headed for the Original Steakhouse! Had another great dinner, lots of fun and great conversation! Since it was getting late, we headed back to their house and after a little while I said I needed to get home! We said our good-byes because we thought we were pulling out the next morning!

Well, our motorhome decided it needed a break (see my previous blog entry) and we ended up in Miami. It had been a long day for Don and I and Nancy had worked all day...after two nights of being up late with me! We decided that we would just have to wait until Saturday and get together then!

This morning dawns bright and beautiful. Dale and Nancy drive to Miami and we load up to head for South Beach and brunch. South Beach was a mass of cars and people. We look for a parking spot in vain and decided to drive a little farther to have a better chance at finding something. Not long after their car begins acting strange and as we go over this bridge...it conks out! The guys put the hood up and look to see if there are any obvious problems. I kind of watch traffic to make sure no one rear ends us. We decide to try to start the car so we can get off the bridge and lo and behold it starts! Quickly got off the bridge and pulled into a parking lot. The car is acting like it's got a bad fuel filter so Don and Dale look for where it might be. They quickly learn that this model year it's in the fuel tank. There are also no tools in the car, so we decide that it might be best to get back to the motorhome. Once back here we load into our car and head out for a bite to eat. We were going to eat "locally" in Little Havana but I'm not sure why the guys decided they wanted to go to Hollywood, so Hollywood we went! Ended up at an Argentine Steakhouse and had a very good late lunch/early dinner! Once more had a great time talking and visiting with Nancy and Dale and Don seemed to enjoy each others company as well! We enjoyed looking at all the condominium projects/apartments going up in the area and the yachts we saw earlier around South Beach. Were awed at the cruise ships that were in the canals waiting for new passengers as well as the Condos going up around South Beach for $5.8 MILLION pre-construction specials! Yikes! Back at the motorhome reality sets in and Dale and Nancy decided they should head back to Fort Lauderdale before it got dark in case the car decided it too needed a break! Hugs and good-byes, but Nancy and I will get together again tomorrow! They made it back home safely and decided that the car just didn't want to be in South Beach! A trip to the mechanic next week to check the fuel filter is on the agenda though!