Dateline Dayton — Continuing the account of our Florida vacation: Monday is always a shopping day since a favorite outlet store has Senior Day. That excursion consumed what was left of the morning.

In the afternoon, we drove to the Mixon Orange Grove, where we took an interesting tour followed by a late lunch. After some of us sampled kettle corn and the gals tasted the wine, we could not leave before trying their ice cream.

Monday evening, Darlene fixed a great dinner and, then it was time for Dancing With the Stars.

Pauline and I went to the other discount store on Tuesday because we received a $5 discount coupon the day before. I found a nice pair of shorts. Pauline couldn’t find anything she needed. So I purchased the shorts for $9. We spent the afternoon at the pool.

We had hot dogs on Venice Beach for lunch on Wednesday, light fare because we were going out for supper. After finishing our hot dogs, we enjoyed the beach. By 3:30 we were ready to go home and get ready for the evening’s activities.

By 5 o’clock the four of us were headed to friends’ home in Venice before to the newly reopened, remodeled Marker4, for a delicious meal, and fellowship with Joe and Pam. I worked with Joe while in high school, at a shoe store in Piqua. I have been doing their taxes ever since they purchased a hardware store in Trotwood, not far from Dayton.

Joe and Pam sold the hardware store many years ago and headed to Florida. First they managed a vacation rental facility on Siesta Key. Now they manage a commercial storage facility in Englewood.

After eating, it was back to their place for more fellowship and dessert. Pam always serves interesting desserts.

Thursday we went to see the Lipizzan horses, which again had us heading north. On the way we stopped at the new University Mall that is huge. We were looking for a place to eat. Since upscale eateries were in sight, we checked the information desk. They suggested the Kona Grill, also at the mall.

Our waitress was interesting. She was older. We learned she had been a teacher for 17 years, had earned a double master’s, and she was working on her doctorate. She left the classroom because she no longer could take the unruliness of the kids, which she blamed on parents. After our meal, she provided us with a free dessert.

We were late for the start of the Winter Training Session for the Original Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria, but we didn’t miss much. Another great day in Florida.

Friday, our last day prior to heading home, was spent on Siesta Key Beach, our favorite place on a Florida vacation. After a few hours of sun and walking the beach, we were on our way to Captain Curt’s for a late lunch, early supper.

The next day it appeared everyone was leaving Florida. Terrible traffic. If we could reach 30 miles an hour, we were going fast. This was I-75. This condition lasted for over two hour, but we were still able to make it to the north side of Atlanta. Since this was spring break, I had called ahead. We would spend the night in Calhoun, GA.

A friend told us about the Appalachian Grill Inn, in Cartersville, an excellent place to eat. Seating was slow. Thirty-five minutes became an hour and 10 minutes. , as they told us thirty-five minutes and it was an hour an ten minutes. The wait was worthwhile even with unfriendly hostesses.

Although it rained a little on Sunday, it was a good day for driving, with no delays.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net