As I’ve stated several times, we make two trips to Florida each year: one from mid-September to late October, and the other from early February until late March. The February-March visit is peak season and the crowds then are huge. Everywhere you go the snowbirds have the place straining to capacity. In February-March, we must arrive at the pool early in order to secure two lounge chairs. And you can be sure that every available chair at the Thursday evening Rockin’ Rendevous will be taken.

This time of the year the absence of the majority of the snowbirds is noticeable. This picture was taken Wednesday afternoon with temperatures about 90 degrees. Today (Saturday) there were a few more folks, but definitely not like we experience during the spring. (If you scroll way down, you can see a photo taken in March and I’m sure you’ll see the difference.)

The Thursday night dance had a crowd that was down by about 75%. We left early because “nothing was happening.”

This afternoon we were pleased to run into our friend, Bob Taylor. We call him the “Worm King” because he made his fortune selling night-crawlers to fishing outlets all over the mid-west. He’s a sweet, single widower, and a really down to earth guy, dispite his “very comfortable” financial situation. He’s interesting with quite a remarkable history in his 75 years. It was great to see him looking tanned and relaxed.

When we left in the spring, Bob was having a new home built. He’s since moved into it. We missed his house-warming party in April when he had 125 guests.

Bob was especially pleased to see us because (like us) he’s finding that a lot of his friends are still up north so he feels a little deserted. He invited us to come over to his place Tuesday evening for small dinner party (six of us). Sounds like a fun evening.

I’m anxious to see his new glorious “digs.”