This and That

Just a little update on what we've been doing the past week. Evenings you'll find us sitting outside under the awning enjoying the beautiful weather. I do "work" on the computer when we can't be outside.

On Wednesday, we spent the day gallivanting with Beth and Gary.

We packed a picnic lunch and drove down Manasota Key to Stump Pass Beach State Park.  The park doesn't have a very beautiful name, but it certainly has a beautiful beach! We hiked to the end of the key and after we ate lunch, we enjoyed the beach. We lost Paul for awhile. He hits a shoreline and disappears, walking without the slightest idea of time.

When we did find him, we headed further south to Boca Grande, located on Gasparilla Island. It is a quaint, affluent community.

We poked around the small town area and looked at a few shops.

People tool around Boca Grande in golf carts and electric cars, some of which were expensively customized. We didn't take a picture of any of the fancy ones, but we did get one of a Gem Car for my brother, Al.

We headed back to Manasota Key and enjoyed a beverage at The White Elephant Pub, right on the water. It was a beautiful afternoon.

After dinner, we headed to Englewood Beach to watch the sunset.

It was a beautiful ending to a very fun day.

Back to reality, we have been working on our taxes. This is never one of our favorite activities.

One of us entered a comma instead of a decimal point into a column for state taxes paid, but I'm not naming any names. Turbo Tax then told us we were going to get a refund of almost $13,000 from the state of Minnesota. Even if we knew it was an error, there was that one little moment when I thought, "Gosh, money does grow on trees!" Unfortunately, there is no refund for Paul and Barb this year.

To make us feel better, we grilled peppers

and pork tenderloin

while our friend, Arnie, snuffled around at our feet.

Paul says this every day as we head to the beach:

We may not be rich, but it doesn't seem to bother us too much!  Four more days and then we start our journey home. I'll talk to you soon.