A few weeks ago, I escaped this crazy winter and flew down to Florida to visit my friends, the Dawsons, and then spend a few days with Phebe. My timing was perfect! I had great weather for flying, on-time flights, no security hassles, nice Florida temps (although not quite as warm as I expected), AND I missed the coldest weather of the winter in Minnesota. I even had to call my sub on Friday morning to revise my plans for the day because Cannon Falls had a late start due to -30 degrees temps. I headed out on Wednesday evening, after teaching all day, and arrived in Ft. Myers at midnight. John and Kathy picked me up at the airport, and I knew I was really in Florida when they both showed up wearing shorts! This was the view I woke up to the next morning - sun, grass, and palm trees!
What a treat in the middle of a tough Minnesota winter!
Dawson's house is gorgeous, and the area where we hung out the most was the lanai, complete with a pool and hot tub - beautiful!
We also went biking,
played tennis,
and spent a lot of time playing duets. They had a big party on Thursday night, and Kathy and I were the musical entertainment! It was really fun meeting people from all over the country who have migrated to Florida for their retirement.
On Friday afternoon, I borrowed their PT Cruiser and drove straight across the state to West Palm Beach to see Phebe. I checked into my hotel and then went to pick her up (fortunately, Kathy programmed the GPS so I had no problem finding my way).
Here she is!
She was so excited to have me come all the way from Minnesota to visit her! I had to snap a few pictures right away!
Kate and Phebe
Finally, a big hug after not seeing her for a year and a half! The biggest change? She now has her two front teeth and her hair is long! She's still the same goofy Pheberella who entertained us constantly for 9 months!
Since it was dinner time, I asked her what she wanted for supper and she said, "STEAK!"
So, we headed to a steakhouse near my hotel.
She immediately went to work coloring - she's still quite the artist, too!
Then, when the food arrived, she went to work on that, too! What an appetite - we packed up the leftovers and she gobbled them all up before bed.
Our sweet Phebe.
Look at that long, beautiful, healthy hair!
Talking to Daddy on the phone.
Phebe remembered how she jumped on the bed when I visited her a few years ago, so she had to re-create that experience. Don't tell the Hampton Inn! :-)
Showing off her new pillow.
Jenna bought it for her Christmas present, but since it wouldn't quite fit in the Christmas box that I sent in December, I carried it on the plane.
Hugs before bed.
We got up the next morning, had breakfast at the hotel, and then headed off to Lion Country Safari (about 15 miles west of West Palm Beach).
The animals were amazing! We drove our car through the various areas of "Africa" and the animals wandered free (except for the lions - there was chain link to contain them).
They give you a CD to play in your car system, which explains what part of Africa you are in and gives details about the animals you are seeing.
You have to keep your windows rolled up, so I took all of these pictures through the car windows. We were driving very slowly, so Phebe was going back and forth in the back seat, taking pictures, too.
This ostrich actually pecked my window (very gently) right after I took this picture.
I zoomed in on some of these, but most are really that close to the car!
These zebras wandered across the road right in front of us.
Then there were the rhinos. Phebe thought this was so funny - she made me take a picture of the "rhino butt."
I had turned off the CD player and didn't hear until later that you aren't supposed to stop near the rhinos. I guess they have been known to attack cars. Don't worry, Kathy - they didn't bother us. :-)
Looks kind of threatening, doesn't he??
Now that's better - I don't think a parrot could cause much damage.
I have never seen so many giraffes (check out the background)!
This one also crossed right in front of us.
After the drive-through, we went to an amusement park area where we could see more animals, go on rides and paddle boats, play a little miniature golf, and check out the gift shop.
Phebe played the African drums
and posed on the African lion.
She also took advantage of the small crowds by staying on the rides multiple times.
She was so impressed that I let her (I was just enjoying sitting in the warm sunshine)!
The paddle boats went right past the flamingoes. I was just hoping there weren't any alligators around to tip us over.
They had a big area with lots of cut-outs that you could put your head in. Of course, Phebe had to try every one, and I had to take her picture at each stop.
I had to join her in this one.
Yikes!
This one really cracks me up.
She even had to ride on the kiddie train, although I think she's pretty much outgrown it.
Ahhhhh, here is the alligator moat!
After we left Lion Country Safari, we ate some lunch, visited Kate's dad and step-mom, and went to a movie. We saw Tangled, the Disney Rapunzel movie. It was great!
After the movie, we ended up at a family restaurant that specializes in cool ice cream treats for dessert. Phebe didn't eat much of this - I think she was pretty full from the popcorn at the movie.
We went back to the hotel and spent several hours playing "Go Fish!" This girl just doesn't wear out, but what a fun time we had!
On Sunday, we met up with Kate, and while Phebe was at her church school class, we went to Mass with Kate's dad. After church, Phebe gave me big hugs and kisses for EVERYONE and we said our goodbyes. I told her I'd be back again, and next time maybe Grandpa will come, too!
I wasn't quite ready to drive back to Ft. Myers, so I headed east, knowing I'd eventually find the ocean, and sure enough, there it was!
I watched the surfers and enjoyed the sunshine for awhile (it was only in the low 60's).
The waves were really crashing in! I didn't actually go down by the water - it was too chilly! After soaking up the sunshine on a park bench, I got really thirsty for coffee so I did a little exploring and discovered that I was parked 1/2 block from the West Palm Beach upscale designer shopping area. Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Prada, the list goes on and on, and guess what? I didn't buy a thing except my Starbuck's latte (surprise, surprise). $300 sandals are a bit out of my league, but it was fun to browse.
I finally hopped back in the car to make the trek west across the state to Ft. Myers, and I arrived at Kathy and John's in time for dinner. Kathy's mom, daughter, and 2 grandchildren had come down from Minnesota on Friday night, so we had a houseful! We hung out all evening and then did some more biking the next morning before I had to pack up for my flight home. What a great trip! It was so much fun spending time with good friends and my little Phebe!
Kate took this shot right as we were saying good bye in the church parking lot. Can't wait to see her again. I miss you already, Phebe!
He has a set of heavy plastic balls that he loves to roll on the hard wood floors, and then he follows them.
He can even crawl with one in his hand. Fortunately, Crosby is on the other side of the baby gate.
Wow! One handed! Get that big ball out of the way.
Where did it go?
Ah, there it is.
Now it goes into the drum. Learning how to pick up already? Yeah, Charlie.
There, all done!
Oops, here's another one! This one goes in the mouth. 
