TUESDAY: Stan and I drove to Sarasota today, to visit Bob and Linda Kuck. It worked out that their daughter Katie and her family were there from New England, so we met her husband Phil and their three little ones for the first time! It had been many years since we had seen Katie and so we enjoyed being able to sort of 'fast forward' in her life and see her as a beautiful wife and mother of three thriving little ones. Bob and Linda are keeping busy with their church and entertaining what looked to us like a constant stream of family and friends! Bob is busy with a group called Matthew's House, that mentors people recently released from prison. Very admirable...and a much needed program. After a meal at The Pelican on the Bay (where they lighted the water to watch the fish at night) and a tour of some really amazing mega homes along the waterfront, we said our goodbyes and headed back to central Florida. It was a great pleasure to see them all so healthy, happy and busy.
WEDNESDAY: Today we met with Kay Nolte, Stan's classmate from NK, for the afternoon. Kay scooted us around Marco Island in her PT Cruiser convertable, giving us the grand tour and the weather was glorious! We all ate at a seafood place on the Island and chatted about the good ol' days and the latest happenings. She had just returned from Viet Nam! The conversation had the feel of a mini class reunion to me and a good time was had by all. I've been to all Stan's class reunions, so I feel I'm almost "one of them" after 40+ years.
Kay told us the Marco Brothers, who first owned the island, donated land to any church that would build there, and many took them up on that offer. I thought that was a novel idea and an interesting bit of their local history. I think Kay has settled in an amazing location...she's active in her church and plays piano for other events, and generally keeps on the move. She has two young granddaughters scheduled to come stay with her for a few days soon and no doubt, there'll be fun afoot . I think you can hardly miss having a good time with Grama (and her blue convertible) all to yourself on Marco Island!
When we left there, we headed out for a beautiful afternoon drive along the coast, to Sanibel Island. A little ice cream, and some biking along their local trails rounded out our day. We stopped and walked on the beach to watch the sun set over the Gulf Sea Waters. On we went, to the furthest point of the island, where we stopped at a fun little beachy Mexican Resturant and relaxed at an outdoor table, split a huge burrito, watched a tiny lizard hanging out on a palm tree by us and enjoyed a little island music piped in for our good pleasure. Gotta love it!
