[Yes, the end of the trip.]

We joined up with Rog again that last day for a trip to Naples and Marco Island – as with the previous day, I would be visiting places of first impression.  We would be wandering into the land of the “1 percenters,” and in our rented Jetta, that made us feel out of place.  Ha!  OK, we played the bumpkin role to the hilt.  Ruthie lived in Gainesville in the early 80’s when she was getting her master’s degree, and she and the kids made several trips to Marco Island.  She no longer recognized the place.  And I admit my preconceived ideas were of a still somewhat limited, if elite, population with lots of protected wildlife areas.  It’s a monster of high-rise condominiums.  And we didn’t notice any elk.

[First of all, it’s a Benz SUV.  The license plate is for “Basketball Dan.”  For many years, his visits to us and Washington, D.C., always required a fine dining experience at El Caribe (there were two of them).  They are now long gone – RIP!]

[We decided to drive on through and visit Marco Island first.  Then we would hit Naples on the way back.  So, the several following photos are on Marco Island.  There was a scent of money in the air.]

[Our chauffeur had her hand on her cheek – the universal signal for OMG!]

[The southern end of the island.]

[A “Mickey D’s” in Marco Island.  An opportunity to check e-mail – and to call an Alexandria Golf Club member who winters in Naples.  Rita photo.]

[Then it was on to Naples!]

[Old Town area]

[Tin City]

[. . . and its everything but grapes winery.]

[A park whose name I cannot read because of the hedge row?  😉 ]

[Old Town.  After parking in an alley garage, The Biddies ran into some fellow Hoosiers who told them it was this way to the ice cream!]

[Beginning our perpetual search for food.]

[We’re getting close.]

[Aha!  And Rita knows someone who is related to these people – I think that’s how it went?]

[. . . so she requested that I “shoot” her there.]

[Dine outside . . . then, theatre.]

[To arugula, or not to arugula?]

[The Florida professional at happy hour?  😉  ]

[Go, Gators! Yeah, the supervisor was one of them for her advanced degree.]

[Rog took us to a few of the beaches on his beat – had to admit the ones in Naples are pretty nice.]

[Fan out for shells!]

[For perspective, the skyline on the left is Naples; on the right, it’s Marco Island.]

[Got the feeling Rog liked the beaches here.]

[We said thanks and good-bye to Rog at his Ft. Myers condo.]

[The following morning we said good-bye to Rita at her friend, Reva’s, place in N. Ft. Myers.  Thanks again Rita and Reva!]

Then it was on to Southwest Florida Airport and my forever fun with TSA agents!  This is the first time I’ve gone through one of those all around, we-can-see-you-naked, scanners.  And, of course, they pulled me out for a further pat down.  And the supervisor had a good laugh photographing the event.  I seldom do air travel anymore – I am always pulled out for further screening.  It’s a major pain in the back of my front.  These people have got to realize that in my government career I had direct oversight over their pay and benefits!  Maybe it’s the Florida gun law . . . and the fact that I don’t carry one?  I will put off the next air trip again for as long as I can!  And that will be as soon as someone starts “Take Your Chances” Airlines, where you just get on the plane without any faux security procedures!!

[When we got home, we met local family and family from Arizona for dinner (what else?) at Boca Chica in St. Paul.  Of course, before we got there we had to deal with the usual difficult travel logistics – this time discovering the car had a flat tire upon our return!  It made us an hour late for the dinner.  It was good to get home!]

[Until next time!  🙂  ]

Looks like fun. Felt like I was on the cruise with you guys as I scrolled through your photos. ~ Gretchen (4/16/30)

Tom …Thanks…we enjoy and appreciate your emails. They are the greatest!  Enjoy the snow! God bless your day. ~ Dave and Carol  (4/16/30)

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. ~ Albert Einstein

Tell the supervisor she looked Gorgeous!   ~ Marnee’ (5/6/12) [Oh, that was for the Kentucky Derby party.]