It’s that time of year again, time for the annual get-away to Vero Beach. Mary and I are really looking forward to heading south. We have had three snowstorms so far this year and two were plowing events. Did I happen to mention how much I DO NOT like the cold? This winter has been pretty rough on me, between the rain and snow my body and its after market metal parts are aching. Our plan is to head south for Vero and spend a week then make the short cross state hope to Estero to visit friends from our community that are snowbirds.
Weather Checks
All the weather checks to this point for a Monday departure are calling for rain all along the east coast. I'm not really looking forward to a day of heavy rain at times with chances for boomers in Florida and mainly around Vero Beach.
I'm going to bump up departure day to Friday, March 14th. The weather along the route looks better but with low IFR here at the beach for most of the day today and Saturday until 10pm it looks like a drive vs flight. This does not make me happy.
Departure Day - Friday 3.14
Ughhh... Time to saddle up and point south. I'm not looking forward to another drive let alone the longer drive home from Estero (Ft. Myers). The bags are packed and loaded into the brides GLC300. The drive checklist is completed, snacks, full fuel, fluids checked, and new Pirelli tires. Wow, what a drive. 16.5 hours straight through with two fuel stops. I should note that when passing through Norfolk a man had crossed the road wearing all black clothing and he jumped clear of my right front fender as I swerved left as I passed him at 50-55 mph. If there was a car on my right they would have taken him out. We did pass another accident in the Carolinas with the concrete barrier taking two cars out, one was a roll over. Thankfully the rest of the drive was uneventful. It is so much safer to fly!
We arrived at the Hampton Inn in West Vero Beach about 10:30 in the morning. Checked into the hotel and our rooms were not ready. They would call when we could get in. Mary got the call at 2:30 that the rooms were good to go. I was worn out, I looked and felt like a zombie. I should mention that I drove down in sweats and a T-shirt and my slippers. Honestly, as bad as I looked, I would’ve passed for a homeless person. I honestly didn’t care.
We didn’t unload all our baggage, but packed a small go bag. I laid down about quarter of three and didn’t get up until about 7:15 Sunday morning.
Vacation! Sunday 3.16
Good morning Vero Beach! Wow! 16 hours of sleep sure does a body good. After fantastic showers, Mary and I went out to look for breakfast. We stumbled across a place we really fell in love with the last time we were here, the Kountry Kitchen.
This breakfast hotspot is located right across from station 49 one of our favorite dinner places, which to our surprise has sadly closed. More on that later. It was a short wait and we sat outside and enjoyed the 70+ degree temps and a nice breeze. Once seated, we ordered breakfast and let me tell you it was tremendous. Excellent service, excellent food, We’ll be back this week. We ran a few errands, car wash, grocery store, and Ulta for my bride. Once the errands were completed we headed over to the Ocean Breeze hotel, and checked in. They took our information, but the room was not ready. Since we had some time to kill, we pointed north for the Sebastian Airport. I have passed on multiple offers for a hanger over the last couple of years since we haven’t secured a place to live over the winter. More on this later. The drive north from Vero was 18 miles and just over 20 minutes. I should add that living the retired life has left me with no clue of what day of the week it is. It’s Sunday! Sebastian Airport was locked up, no signs of life. I’ll call tomorrow morning to inquire about covered tie-downs. I did call and there is shaded tie downs. Of course there is a wait list, I’m now on it. I think I was told it would be around $260ish, I did not write it down. Either way it’s better than the $750 hangar rent.
With a mission fail, we regrouped and picked a lunch place since it’s now about 1 o’clock. I found a great parking spot at the hotel right next to the elevators, locked up the SUV and headed to lunch. We decided to try Bobby’s, which is located just two buildings to the north. Somehow, I managed to walk back to the SUV with this full belly. Mary went to check if the room was ready and if not, she was gonna hit a couple of stores located next-door to the hotel. I on the other hand took our dessert, started the truck, cranked up the air-conditioning and waited for my bride while I caught up this blog post. Not a bad view of the ocean while I type this out, life is good.
Monday 3.17
Rise and shine it’s time to find some breakfast. Mary and I went back-and-forth on a few places and then decided to just go back to the Kountry Kitchen since we are headed that direction to look at property. It’s a bit scary that I can find my way Back across the Merrill Barber bridge and navigate to the breakfast location. Good eats an excellent service once again leaves us with full tummies ready to explore.
First stop Walker Woods. We previously had a tour scheduled for Friday, but decided that we wanted to get on the road to head to Fort Myers right after breakfast. With rain in the forecast today we decided to tour potential winter getaways.
When we arrived, the ladies in the office remembered us from last year. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. We decided to look at two apartments. The first was a one bedroom fully furnished first floor unit. The layout was very nice but the furniture was huge, way too big for the rooms. Their fully furnished apartment would run about $500 more a month, we don’t think it’s worth that extra fee.
Next, we looked at a two bedroom unfurnished and it would be a perfect fit. The two bedroom one bath unit had a small dining area, walk-in closets and a separate dedicated washroom, which would be good for the boys litter box. My bride did say it’ll be fun shopping for furniture… Yay, I’m excited, insert eye roll.
With the winter home plan in place Mary set her sights on the outlets. As we left the apartment complex and turned onto Route 60 west there was a Wawa. Having a Wawa that close is definitely a big-time pro versus con.
In a real surprise moment, my bride said we should go look at the places in Village Green, which is an over 55 community. We ended up touring three homes. Again these homes were not very expensive but they all had a $900-$1100 land lease. We decided to pass on the second properties we visited, even though we liked the community. This community had a land lease, and we would have to maintain the home. In comparison, there would be no maintenance cost associated with the apartment. There would also be no land lease on top of the rental price. Different strokes for different folks, this is what works for us. We headed back to our hotel to get some beach and pool time and we’re convinced that the apartment is the way to go.
There are so many logistic decisions to be made when it comes to living down here for a few months in the winter. Number one the cats, our boys, they would have to be with us. Next is the transportation issue, to and from Florida, and ground transportation for a month or three. There is no way we could rent a car for multiple months, that’s just crazy. So much to think about and still have to work the numbers to see how it all plays out.
Time for some sun and fun on the beach. The company that provided beach chairs and umbrellas under contract with the hotel did not have their contract renewed. Hmmm… no sun protection on our Casper the ghost bodies, that’s a no go. We opted for the pool with comfortable chairs and an umbrella. Let the grilling begin.
Mary and I looked for a new to us restaurant and decided on Coopers Chop House and Seafood. The restaurant was very nice and the service was excellent. Mary had baked lobster thermidor over yukon mashed potatoes with asparagus. I had bolognese over linguine.
Dessert? Don’t be silly. Yes, dessert to go. I selected carrot cake and Mary had red velvet cake.
Tuesday 3.18
A bit later of a start than normal for Mary and I. We headed out for breakfast at 9:30 making our first stop at the Lemon Tree. The wait was at least thirty minutes so we saddled up for a second location. We made the short drive over the Merrill Barber bridge and in just a few turns we parked at TooJays.
As you walk in the door you have to pass the bakery case and then the deli case. We managed to safely pass and entered the seating area. I ordered a waffle with home fries and sausage links. Mary had two eggs with fresh fruit and rye toast. The food was very good and the rye toast was especially tasty. Once we settled up the bill we made a stop at the display cases. Yes, we purchased some oatmeal raisin and macadamia nut cookies along with a few macaroons. A loaf of the rye with a stick of butter would have worked too.
Time for the beach! On the way back to the hotel we ducked into Walmart for a beach chair and umbrella. Why one chair? The office gave us two beach/sand chairs to use but that’s way too low for me. A benefit of driving to vacation is no weight and balance to deal with, said no pilot ever.
A relaxing day now winding down with our dinner selection of Vero Prime scheduled for 5:30.
Mary had veal picatta and I had a filet with a twice baked potato and maple glazed carrots. Good eats and good service. We took dessert home, bourbon pecan pie for me and chocolate cake for my bride.
Wednesday 3.19
I missed another sunrise. Maybe I’ll get a video tomorrow. Once up and dressed we headed a block south to the Lemon Tree for breakfast. No line this morning at 8am so we were quickly seated. I still think Kountry Kitchen is better but Lemon Tree is closer.
Once back to our room we changed for the beach. Mary packed a beach bag and we carried our chairs and umbrella. The beach to water distance is very close here compared to our Ocean City beach. We quickly set up, my bride in the sun and me in the shade. I watched the air traffic in and out of Vero and the planes tracking along the shore. I did notice there are no banner planes here.
We packed up and headed to the room at 1pm to shower and relax. We met my brother and his wife along with my sister-in-laws sister and her husband for an early dinner (3pm) at Craby’s Dockside in Fort Pierce.
It’s always fun catching up with my brother. I miss him living so close when they lived in Delaware and now he's in Port St. Lucie Florida.
Thursday 3.20
A beautiful sunrise at 7:24, a great start to our day. Following breakfast we claimed our place on the beach to soak up some sun and enjoy our last day in Vero. Tomorrow we travel across the state to Estero, just south of Fort Myers.
Negative Ghostrider, the pattern is full. It’s a busy day at Vero Beach, KVRB. Plenty of pattern work and airplane noises to keep me occupied.
We headed back to our room and enjoyed some downtime in the air conditioning. Dinner this evening will be at the Scampi Grill. Every time we pass this place the parking lot is full, that has to be a good sign.
The only reservation available was 4:45. That’s a bit early for us but better than eating after 7pm. Mary had salmon piccata and I had chicken piccata.
Friday 3.21
Fort Myers/Estero
Wakey wakey time for eats and then get on the road to Ft. Myers. Mary and I made a stop at TooJays for breakfast and yes we did take a monster loaf of rye bread to go. Three hours later, many cattle ranches and sod farms passed, and we’re checking into the Hampton Inn.
Our friends Anna and Bob picked us up in their new to them golf cart. It was just a short ride back to their winter rental. We sat and chatted for a bit then headed out to lunch in Bonita Springs at Coconut Jacks. I had blackened mahi tacos with black beans and rice. My bride had scallops. Dinner was very good as well as the service.
I took this picture that shows how high the water line was for each storm. Hurricane Ian in 2022 topped the door openings by a foot. Irma (2017) was about a foot above floor level.
We took a drive through Bonita Springs and parts of Ft. Myers. There are so many homes still needing repairs. I did get to see major ongoing bridge work and took some photos along with a short video.
We hung out with our friends until another couple we know from home wanted to catch up for drinks and appetizers. Lynn and Clark now joined the four of us and we headed out. As we approached the restaurant I tripped on the wheel chair ramp. Yep, yours truly took a header landing on my left wrist and knee as I have learned to protect all my metal parts on my right side. All the outside diners let out a collective gasp as I stood back up, some asking if I was ok. I replied; Yes, thank you, I’m good, maybe I need that first drink now. Laughter erupted and I made it into the restaurant without further incident or embarrassment.
We sat and laughed, shared munchies and enjoyed our drinks. Before we knew it we actually closed the place. I sure haven’t done that in forty plus years and back then it was bars.
Saturday 3.22
We did get to sleep in this morning, which is always a good thing. I woke up with a sore back and swollen left knee as a reward for my stunt work last night. It will be a two Advil day.
Mary and I did a quick breakfast here at the Hampton. It was food, at least the juice was good. The plan is to catch up with Anna and Bob this morning around 10:30 and figure what’s up from there.
The crew of six headed out to the Vanderbilt Beach Resort in Naples. We had reservations to dine at the Turtle Club, the onsite restaurant on the beach. The service was excellent and our waiter, who was from Serbia, did a remarkable job and he had a sense of humor too. Clark and Lynn had a commitment for the afternoon so Anna, Bob, Mary and I headed to Tin City for some shopping. The ladies enjoyed the shops while Bob and I kept the bench seat warm and people watched. After checking out all the shops we headed back to Ana and Bobs for some R&R. We sat and chatted for hours sharing laughs and having a good time. Bob gave us a tour of the property with his new golf cart and then dropped us off at our hotel. We had an absolute blast and the trip across the state to spend time with treasured friends was a lot of fun for Mary and I.
Sunday 3.23
It's 6:30, time to finish packing up and getting on the road by 7am. We drove for a few hours then stopped to top off the tank and grab some quick eats at McDonalds. As I started to pull out I caught traffic coming from my left and made a hard stop, saving a potential ugly accident that would have been my fault. Ughhh...wake up!
Once I gathered myself up we continued north. We made three fuel stops, two at Buc-ee's, Florida and North Carolina. I also did a top off in Emporia Virginia. Traffic was really slow along Route 4 through Florida and then there were a few accidents in the Carolina's that slowed the pace. We finally arrived home at 1am Monday morning. 18 hours of driving with three fuel/two of those were also food stops.
Next year is a fly or no vacation!! I'm too old for this road warrior gig. Here are some numbers.
Total Miles- 2352
MPG- 28.6
Hours driven - 38 (not counting around Vero)
