Cardinal Circle Redneck Party

As the season comes to a close, there are parties and get-togethers every day.


Our park has several major street parties in January, February & March. The Bonita Beach Boys band provides the entertainment. The featured street provides the main dish. Everyone else brings a covered dish & a lawn chair.

We had a high temperature of 87 today and it only cooled to 75 by 10 pm. We were glad for shade & a breeze early in the party.

Everyone enjoyed the conversation, food and dancing.

It was an evening of great fun and some good-byes exchanged.

We will be leaving the end of this week and will miss all the 'fun in the sun.'

BBTP Men vs. Women Horseshoe Tournament

We have never stayed long enough to be a part of this fun event. What a great time we had this morning. I did not play horseshoes this year but Walt did. It was fun being a spectator.

The women have a cheerleader and are very vocal about every point they make. In the last photo they are giving a "Hip, hip, hooray" for the men's efforts. Then the "Real Women" cheer.

The men won 12 games and the women won 4 but by the spirit of the women it appeared that it was a total win for the women!!! Psyche! Attitude is everything.

Afterward was a dinner and awards were given.

Miniature Golf

It was a cooler, overcast morning so we all played miniature golf. It was lots of fun and each one of us made at least one hole-in-one.

Everglades Airboat

We have been enjoying Tim, Breann & Caden visiting.

They arrived Sunday afternoon and have been enjoying the nice warm weather -- even though they are missing some unusually warm days back home.

Today we went to the Everglades to see Everglades City & Chokoloskee. We took an airboat ride from Everglades City through the mangrove swamp. It was a nice trip because there were just the five of us with our driver Javier and Pete the Pelican.















We saw birds, racoon and only one alligator. Javier fed the alligator marshmallows.



Back at the dock, Caden got to pet a baby alligator. Breann also held the little gator.

Another Beautiful Day

We have been having such nice, sunny weather. It gets into the mid 80's during the day but cools to around 60 at night. Since Daylight Savings Time started we are really getting to enjoy the nice evenings outside. The Bonita Beach Boys (our park band) put on some good entertainment Sunday evening.

We only have a few weeks left to enjoy this winter before we start heading home in early April.

Tim, Breann and Caden are coming on Sunday and will stay until Friday. We're really looking forward to showing them what we love about the area.

As our time winds down there are more reasons for impromptu parties and cook-outs. Walt has been using the grill and made wonderful BBQ ribs and smoked turkey breasts. There have been some excellent fish fry dinners with the tasty Florida sheepshead and whiting.

I've had time for some sewing but the weather is too nice to stay inside. I did take a machine applique class and completed a Great Blue Heron wallhanging. I will quilt it when I get back home. Also made a table runner and a Beach Kids blanket. That is all packed away and I'm slowly getting the RV ready to travel.

People began leaving last week and some 'short-timers' or overnighters have been in the park since. Most of us will be leaving by early April. I find it hard to believe that the winter is almost over.

Walt is on Work Party duty today, as every Thursday. Tonight he plays poker and some of us wives will go to a movie. We have seen a good variety of movies this year -- Doubt, New in Town, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Marley & Me, Gran Torino.

BBTP Fashion Show 2009

This year it was decided that the Fashion Show would be a Thrift Shop Fashion Show.


There were several categories -- swimwear, evening wear, cruise wear, costume and cross-dresser!


The first photo is our neighbor Oscar (age 83). He modeled his father's two piece wool knit swimsuit.


It was amazing what people could find and most ensembles were under $5.


In the last photo, Alan is modeling the Tommy Gofigger boxer. In this uncertain economy, this outfit may be even more affordable than the thrift shop.


Last year's Fashion Show was sponsored by Anthony's Ladies Apparel. This year was more fun and nice to see the men take part in the event.