We just had to escape all of the snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures in the Finger Lakes and find some warmer temperatures. Even our escape wasn’t easy as our flight out of Rochester, NY was delayed several hours due to ice in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Charlotte airport was closed as the hazardous roads conditions prevented the airport baggage handlers, refuelers, etc. from coming to work in the morning. We weren’t the only ones delayed in Charlotte that day as there were many folks who had stayed the night at the Charlotte airport. Fortunately, we were able to catch an evening flight to our destination and arrived in Port Charlotte, Florida around 11:00 pm. Our hosts greeted us at the door and even made a nice snack for us as we had missed our dinner.
Relaxing Around the Pool
Breakfast awaited us at 9:00 am the next morning. Our hosts Joanne and Clift McMahon operate the Island Paradise B&B in Port Charlotte out of their home. It’s just a lovely place to stay and their backyard view is Martha Steward magazine perfect. Jeanette wasted no time taking in a little of the morning sunshine around the pool in the lanai.
Several days later we met up with our neighbors in Canandaigua who are wintering in Naples, Florida. We met them for lunch at the Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. Even though the wind was a bit cool, the bright Florida sun blinded our Upstate New York winter eyes as we gazed in amazement at the blue water, the boats, palm trees, and green grass.
The week went by much too quickly. Each evening we would gather out back and watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. Jeanette, when our ship comes in, we’re coming back to stay!