I recently visited my sister, Linda down in Naples, Florida.  Other than the fact that I hadn’t seen Linda in a few months, my house was being tented as drywood termites are a menace in the south.  Preparation for this event is taxing and so much more work than I anticipated but necessary to ensure that all consumables remain safe.

So, once the house was ready for the invasion of the pest control people, Chloe and I loaded up the car for our trek south.  This trip was to be Chloe’s inaugural ride in her new doggie seat.  Remember, Chloe and I are going on a huge 5,000 mile trip together this summer.  So, I wanted to make sure she was a willing little participant.

I have to tell you, she was a great little companion.  I strapped the seat high enough so she could see out the window and she was a very happy little camper.  The direct route from St. Pete to Naples is Route 75—a particularly monotonous road.  Not being a fan of high speed highways (I tend to get bored and sleepy), I got off after Sarasota, scooted over to Tamiani Trail and drove leisurely down the coast.

Linda and I had a wonderful visit.  We shopped in stores where I couldn’t afford to buy anything, ate a delicious dinner in this tiny little Italian bistro hidden away in a strip mall, went to a tasting at Total Wine and sipped eight different French wines while learning their origins—definitely have to do that up here.

Then, Linda belongs to a boat club which gives its members a lot of possibilities in that they get to pick whatever type boat to fit whatever mood or occasion.   She and Fritz (her significant other) took out a deck boat and the three of us (plus Chloe) went cruising along the waterways around Naples.  Going into and out of some of the intercoastal fingers we saw mansions that most of us can only dream about.  Some of these houses had garages for these HUGE yachts.  This was just one…  

But, here’s the thing.  All this money yet they are not exempt from the phenomenon known as red tide.

A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organisms). In Florida, the species that causes most red tides is Karenia brevis. This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom); the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish, and even purple in color. The water can even remain its normal color during a bloom. .

Sad.  We noticed that in some areas we were suffering coughing and itchy eyes and, unfortunately, we also observed many dead fish as we cruised these very expensive waterways.

Despite that, we had a very enjoyable ride and the whole trip was a welcome respite after tax season.  Back at home and getting ready for Peru and Panama!