Mike Hennessey
Dateline Dayton — Early on a Thursday morning two weeks ago, we left for our annual Florida vacation. An hour late getting out the door, we encountered a lot of traffic around Cincinnati.
Smooth sailing along Interstate 65 once we were into northern Kentucky,
Sailing? We could have used a boat. Drenching rains came, and it poured. Pauline suggested several times that we stop, but I kept going.
We finally escaped the rains, but we were not making the progress I wanted. I had wanted to spend the night in Montgomery, Al.
We made a pit stop just outside of Birmingham, and then the rains returned. Since we got gas just down the street from a hotel, we decided to spend the night even though it was only 7 o’clock.
Friday morning we were on our way to Montgomery and a certain casino/hotel. Probably just as well that we didn’t make it. Our directions took us on a lightly traveled route. We saw a lot of unfamiliar country.
The large casino took us for $45, well above our $20 limit. Shortly after making our donation, we were on our way. Since we were not able to visit our aunt due to her active social schedule, we drove to Venice.
At Venice Beach we bought a famous beach hot dog, followed by window shopping Island stores. We capped our stay with ice cream at Kilwins.
On Sunday after church and breakfast at home, our host Ray and I went to a Corvette show on the Island. When we returned, Ray began receiving calls about how steadily his father’s health was declining in Ohio.
Monday Pauline and I made our traditional outing to Bealls, where I was able to purchase long-sleeved shirts. Pauline bought a swimsuit. We hung out at home with our hosts until the supper hour when we returned to the Island for supper.
After learning that Ray’s father had died, we took him and Darlene to the Tampa airport.
We made it to the beach at Siesta Key by Wednesday. They had expanded the parking lot but not enough. A late lunch at the Old Salty Dog with their famous hot dogs, and we shared each other’s meal.
We started St. Patrick’s Day at the Shamrock Grill. No green eggs this year. After breakfast, we headed to Myakka State Park, where we took a tour and an air boat ride.
In the evening we started for the British Pub, but it was too crowded. We landed at the equally busy Cedar Grill. Neither of us had anything Irish, but the food was good.
We spent Friday getting ready for Saturday’s departure.
We spent time with our aunt and then drove to Orlando to pick up a cash register for the British Transportation Museum. But the weather was ugh. A long, hard trip because of traffic and rain
Arriving home Sunday night, we questioned whether we had been on vacation. Both Ray’s father and my brother-in-law Willie had died while we were gone.
We, however, are ready for another vacation.
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net