Dateline Dayton — On Friday, March 12, we started our Florida vacation.

First day, we spent 14 1/2 hours traveling, at times, through rain that was so hard, if it weren’t for a truck in front of us, I would have pulled off the interstate.

Due to the rain and many accidents, which slowed traffic, we arrived in Atlanta about five in the afternoon. Five in Atlanta is not a good time, especially on a Friday afternoon when it’s raining.

After very slow going, we made it through the city and spent the night, just on the other side of Macon. Tired and hungry, except for snacks we hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

On Saturday, we stopped and visited my Aunt and Uncle. Just last November, they purchased a home in Sun City Center. They have a nice place, which backs to a small pond. Their son has a home in the same area, five years newer, and it backs to a golf course.

I could take living there. Lots of activities in two clubhouses within the development. All outside maintenance, as well as cable, transportation and other amenities, is included in the monthly fee, which I thought was reasonable.

Our Cool Holiday

On Saturday evening, we arrived at the home of our friends in Venice, which they rent for two months. A nice ranch with two bedrooms and a den, it also offers a hide-a-bed.

On Sunday, we were off to church and then the beach. This was our best beach day, not so windy. The temperature didn’t get out of the 60s the entire week.

Monday was a shopping morning. A nearby clothing store has senior discount day on Mondays, and they were busy. I did purchase a pair of pants and two shirts. Pauline was able to find quite a few items. After noon, we walked the beach and the pier in Nokomis. In the evening, we went out with some friends, who live in Venice year round.

Tuesday morning, we shopped in downtown Venice and then were off to Longboat Key, to see the peacocks, that just roam the neighborhood. It’s quite a sight to see peacocks in a yard, on a fence, the roof of a house and sometimes there would be a half dozen at one location.

Wednesday, it was off to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. We have being going to Siesta Key (Sarasota) for a number of years and never took time to visit this museum. What a place. The Howard’s Miniature Circus, alone, is worth the price of admission. The Ringling home is something, although nothing like the Hearst Castle. The rose garden is beautiful. And we only made it inside the art museum before it was closing time. We are definitely planning to return. In the evening, we celebrated St Patrick’s Day at a local pub in Sarasota, with friends of our hosts, some of whom we also knew.

Thursday, we had lunch with a friend of Pauline’s and her husband. They also spend two months in Venice. After lunch, it was back to the beach. I wanted to find some sharks’ teeth for the grandkids. I found a few and made sure that Pauline got a picture of me searching for the teeth. I purchased the rest I needed becase the water was too cold for me.

Friday, we went to the beach in Siesta’s Key. A little warmer, but the wind kept us from spending much time on the beach. We moved to an area behind a row of shrubs, which offered protection from the wind.

We left Venice on Saturday and drove to Tampa to visit our son in his new apartment. We went to Clearwater Beach for lunch, to church and the out for a pizza. We spent the night in Tampa and had breakfast with him on Sunday. Then we were on our way home, in the rain again.

Even though it was cool and windy, we enjoyed a great vacation.

In another essay I will tell you about the fabulous eating and the one-eyed whale.

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