March 12 Monday Day 15

In Ft. Meyer’s there is a winter home that Thomas Edison and Henry Ford used. Edison had many laboratories here. The one we saw in Greenfield Michigan was moved from here. There was his botanical laboratory but it was closed. The main feature was one of the biggest banyon trees in the US.

Because the Twins website said the game was at 12:05 and Shirleen’s information was 1:05 we decided to leave and get there before time. As I had heard the players are more accessible than at home games. Twenty minutes later we were paying 5$ for parking at Hammond Stadium on Albertson lane two away from Kerby Puckett Parkway. Hunger set in so we got in line for a small and large weenie, chesse, nacho’s and a large beer. So who turns around in front of us but Wally E., the original owner of Eberts Drive-Inn in New Ulm from my high school days. I see him at Burger King in NU when I get coffee and chat. We talked a bite, I mentioned that his BBQ’s were the best. His wife said he still makes her make that same old recipe, Wally said he would give me a copy. She asked whom my mom and dad were but Wally said she would not have known them. He asked if I had a brother or sister in NU. I said my sister was Mary GG, he said the one with the beautiful voice. Of course I said I had taught her everything she knows and we all laughed. Now why was that funny???

We watched the pictures warm up, the batters hit and the fielders catch fly’s. as most know I went to the game for Shirleen, but I’ll tell you what, outside games are great!! I could become a fan. The Marlin’s have this pitcher named Willis, he is long and lanky and throws a neat looking sidearm or what every they call it, but it looked great. Another game inspiring fact is that we have never attended a Twins game where they won. Maybe today is the day. The first inning had us out in front 3:0 and never behind again. Really a fun game. A couple twins players wore there black socks up over the calf mussel, another neat nostalgic item.

Heck we still have some time, lets drive 24 miles out into the hinterland to Corkscrew Cypress park. We arrive exactly at 4:30, that corresponds to the time that the walking path is shut down for the evening. This, as those that know me, irked me to no end. It looked good enough to come back to in the morning.

And again, time to eat, but where? Back into Bonita Springs we go, up the road and back and then up again but not far as I had noticed a Italian restaurant on one of the change of directions. As Shirleen says, if there are a lot of cars in there it has got to be good. Of course I saw the Lexus and Mercedes and thought oh boy it is going to be expensive. She was right I was wrong. After a 20 minute wait at the bar and some fine red wine we ere escorted to our table. We were served Italian bread with olive oil with dried tomatoes in it. I looked through the window and I spy Jim H. and ahead through the next window Marge. They were with friends but I snuck up behind Marge and asked her in a professional voice if I could check her ID card. She turns around and started laughing as to the coincident of us stopping at the same place they were going to eat. Boot’s, there long lasting friend from Burlington had found 5$ coupons and they all decided to eat there. Enzo’s Ristorante Italiano in Bonita Springs is a well thought of Italian restaurant, Shirleen’s shrimp and my grouper in lemon sauce with capers was done to a T. Upon leaving we stopped by their table and wished everyone well.

Tomorrow the swamp, Marco Island, trip back through alligator alley ending up at Kendall FL. Now back to the room for some e-mail correspondence and shut-eye. jerr