Journey to Florida, Caribbean and Washington DC Jan. 8 – Jan. 29, 2009

We hadn’t been to Florida in 3 years. It had been an annual event to visit with Anne’s brother Bob and wife Petra in St. Petersburg and we visited also with various half-brothers, cousins, nieces and Anne’s step mom too. Last year we didn’t go anywhere during the winter and it was one of the longest and coldest in Seattle history. The year before that we had gone to Hawaii but hadn’t enjoyed it all that much since it was just the two of us and Anne had endured some physical issues that made it difficult to transfer me in and out of our rental car. This time we thought we wouldn’t rent a car but reserve a ride to and from the airport and meet up with Anne’s grand daughter Amanda and her husband Jonathon who would be able to help transfer me in and out of Bob’s car for a few days before our cruise.

We loaded aboard our Continental flight to our transfer in Houston and immediately made the acquaintance of our neighbor, Tracey, who was also going all the way to Tampa. She and Anne compared notes and became friendly while I began reading a paperback. The Last Knight is the story of John of Gaunt who straddled the time between the Dark Ages and the Renaissance and though the form is rather dry the information is illuminating and I’m pleased to learn a bit of history. We have just enough time in Houston before our flight to Tampa to have an authentic Texas barbeque sandwich. By the time we land in Tampa it’s 11:30 pm and it takes awhile for our accessible van to pick us up and get us to St. Pete and Bob’s condo. They’ve been awake for hours beyond their bedtime but are happy to see us and we stay up and visit while Anne unpacks items to make the bedroom useful. We’re both cramped from the flight and are happy to take to our bed and look forward to a fabulous vacation.

Jan. 9

Once we’re up Jonathan and Amanda show and after visiting slightly the four of us load into Petra’s car and drive to the Dali Museum. The permanent exhibit is as great as ever and a special showing of paintings by Wilfredo Lam is a nice counterpoint. Though I’ve never appreciated Lam's work all that much, it is terrific to see his work more comprehensively. We get a few items in the gift shop including a pin with Dali's signature in gold. From there we drive out to the pier and have lunch on the top deck at Cha Cha Coconuts. I get a straw hat for the cruise and we drive out to Saw Grass Park for some exercise along the newly refurbished boardwalk and groove to the birds, alligators with their young, turtles and miscellaneous critters.

The weather is fantastic and I would be happy to stay until closing but we are scheduled to have dinner with friends Sam and Commie so reload and head back. Bonefish restaurant is our preferred spot but it’s packed so we settle for Italian at Carabbos Restaurant. My pasta is exceptional but after bread and salad I would be in pain to eat it all and bring half of it back along with Anne who orders the same dish as me. After visiting it’s apparent Bob isn’t feeling well and seems a little disoriented so we make it back and enjoy their company until lights out.

Jan. 10

Even though I had encouraged the others to come up with a plan for the day, no definitive decisions have been made. I’m up for a tour of Ybor City in Tampa or the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. We 4 first drive out to Jonathan and Amanda’s hotel at the beach and then head south. We end up in Sarasota but not at the Ringling Museum. The Mote Marine Center is not that great as aquariums go but the manatee and dolphin exhibits are amazing and their graceful movements are soothing and fascinating. We stop briefly for a Quiznos sandwich on our way back to St. Pete and stop at Haslan Bookstore, the largest in Florida. I find a sweet drawing book on the Persian school and Amanda gets some books on photography. Jonathan, Bob and I have pizza for dinner while Anne, Amanda and Petra meet up with Ana to play bingo at the recreation center. They later return empty handed. We are worried about Bob. He has lost weight which is good but his mental abilities have diminished and he seems unable to remember the simplest things, like did he take his sleeping medicine already?

Jan. 11

We are to begin our cruise today. Thankfully, we don’t have to be at the dock until 12:30 so have time to pack, say goodbye to Jonathon and Amanda and Petra. We will see Petra again in a week’s time but Bob has returned to sleep and we allow him his slumber and will see him again soon. Super Shuttle picks us up and drops off one other fare before getting us to the Carnival Cruise Line berth where we fall in line with everyone else and snake our way through security. Once aboard the Legend, we make our way to our stateroom and are crestfallen that our pricey room with a wrap-around deck is so inaccessible that I cannot even get into the space. Anne contacts the purser and they are able to swap rooms with a couple that had previously been on stand-by. They will now luxuriate at our expense.

Our room is adequate enough, though I’m unable to access the deck. While waiting for our bags I’m topside and put on my workout gloves and circumnavigate the upper deck for 1/2 of a mile before Anne meets up with me. We tour various decks and are frustrated at the abrupt thresholds that I’m unable manage on my own. Another glitch at our assigned dinnertime but we secure a table for two and enjoy a fine meal. We make reservations and later cancel a meal in the exclusive restaurant and will probably do a fair bit of room service. With luck and some conscientious hygiene we may avoid the Noro virus or whatever ugly bugs might be circulating. Anne has signed up for a snorkeling excursion and I will join her on another tour of a nature park. The ship delivers champagne and chocolate covered strawberries for our inconvenience.

Jan. 12

All day at sea. We rise to room service of a continental breakfast. It is warm when we hit the deck and I grab gloves and music and start doing laps around the upper deck. The wind is stiff in parts but the extra effort is putting more stress on my weak arm muscles and after yesterday’s workout I feel stronger and am able to push myself much further with less soreness in my arms. Anne had a bout of seasickness but receives some relief from special armbands designed for just that purpose. In spite of being in the open ocean with no sight of any land the day gets warmer by the hour but because of the wind I’m unable to wear my hat and get a slight burn. People are lounging throughout and are mostly considerate and allow me an open path around the deck. Anne works out in the gym and climbing the steps and takes in a workshop on toxicity. Later she will have a special screening that will determine her levels.

We play a couple games of cribbage and have lunch in the café. While she explores on her own I take to my book, “The Last Knight” between continued laps in the sun. Dinner in the main room becomes a highlight for most of the guests and since there had earlier been a formal reception for the captain most have on suits and cocktail attire. Although we are more casually attired Anne is still the loveliest in the entire room and I’m honored to be on her arm. While she later undergoes her screening I’m in the room typing and listening to videos I brought but am bummed that the larger flash drive will not mount on our laptop. I begin a long report on our villa rental experience in Italy with the intention of submitting it to Boitano’s website. Anne later returns and informs me that she has purchased the entire money back guaranteed program priced at nearly $1,000.00.

Jan. 13
I sleep okay but Anne doesn’t and will require a nap later on. The ship has anchored off Georgetown in the Cayman Islands and the only way ashore is aboard smaller tenders that are utterly inaccessible. I therefore will spend the entire day doing laps around the Lido Deck in 90-degree weather. Anne does explore town and catches a tour that takes her to Hell, so named for the rock formations in the area. She continues her tour around the whole island of Grand Cayman and returns with a pin and Cuban cigar for me and a rum cake for her. After 3 1⁄2 miles I’m ready to take a break and we both enjoy a salad for lunch and play a couple games of cribbage.

She returns to our room and I’m back on deck for another 2-mile stretch. I’m completely exhausted and feeling like I deserve a margarita before dinner. We’re a little late to our table and in my haste I order seafood pasta dish that is sub-par. Anne shared some of her delicious pork and eggplant and I have the first cup of French onion soup I’ve had in several years. We exit just before the waiters encourage everyone to stand and do the Macarena. We will take in an evening comedy and juggling show while the ship is underway to Cozumel where I have been assured that I will be able to disembark. My shoulders are definitely feeling the effects of my efforts and I seem to have developed a slight rash on my left forearm.

Jan. 14

We encounter some higher seas overnight and Anne has to put her seasickness bracelets back on in order to sleep. We had overheard someone saying the temperature might be 90 degrees but on the contrary not only is it a bit chilly but it’s rainy. Great!? The one day I’m able to disembark and we start looking for rain gear. We had purchased an excursion to Discover Mexico and a portion of it is outside. We board an accessible van for the short ride outside the tourist village where we got some musical instruments and a complimentary garnet. I’m pleased to not be too sore after yesterday’s extensive workout but did wear a sore spot on my arm.

The Discover Mexico excursion begins with a slide presentation followed by a tour through a gallery of various folk arts. From there we all tour the grounds that feature miniature dioramas of Mayan temples but the drizzly rain, umbrellas and thick accent of the tour guide make for an awkward tour and we split half-way through. We get a couple modest souvenirs and wait for our van to return us to the ship. We take a side trip into town in order to get a Hard Rock Café pin and see that we’re not missing much. Typical shops selling typically overpriced wares with mobs of overfed tourists wandering up and down the only street that is clogged with taxis.

The water is a beautiful blue and it must be a diver’s paradise to swim along the shore. I’m excited for Anne to be able to snorkel tomorrow but she has to be ready by 8:30 AM and with my morning routine scheduled we will have an early start indeed. We visit with Darnell and Diana in the tourist village over delicious margaritas before returning back to the ship for lunch. Anne then returns to the village to shop while I kick back in the room to read, write and catch up on world events via CNN. Dinner is filet mignon for me, roasted chicken breast for her.

Jan. 15

Drizzling rain continues but it will not dampen my spirits. They are already low since learning that our stop here in Belize is a tendered stop and I am unable to go ashore. Anne has scheduled a snorkeling excursion and must be ready by 8:15. While she swims the crystal clear waters of the second largest reef in the world, I stay in the cabin, finish my book and begin a modest watercolor while watching one of the movies I brought with me. I also add information to the account of our Italian trip.

Anne returns sooner than I thought she would and I encourage her to take the ferry into town to explore while I make several laps on the upper deck. It has stopped raining but is still heavy with humidity and I’m sitting poorly in my chair. It’s still nice to be outside and the water has a delicate green quality that deepens in the depths. We take in a comedy routine just after dinner in the lounge and then to our room and listen to George Bush’s farewell address (another comedy routine). I have been fairly unbeatable in our games of cribbage and Anne’s frustration threatens to end our ongoing tournament. She later works out by climbing the ships staircase. I’m looking forward to being able to go ashore tomorrow at our last port of call.

Jan. 16

It’s not raining but quite cloudy and very windy. The pilot has a difficult time docking in Costa Maya and nearly gives up but finally on his third attempt is successful. We have lingered in bed with some well-deserved snuggling and are finally up and at breakfast around 10:00 am. In spite of my workouts I have gained a couple pounds and do not like the image that looks back at me in the mirror or is on view in the ship photographs and it doesn’t help to count myself among the majority of passengers who are grossly overweight.

We go ashore to a tourist village that is completely self-contained and watch some native dancers before touring the shops and bars. “Free Parking” is a favorite refrain from the vendors and wears thin immediately. We purchase a couple pins, a silver spoon, two beautiful crucifixes, one for Petra, and get our passports stamped. After a stiff margarita we take one last swing through some shops, take a few photographs and hide one of my pins in the inner wall of the first planter at the entrance to the village. Once back aboard we have a light lunch and Anne returns to the cabin for a nap while I workout on the upper deck in a stiff wind. It’s warm enough but completely overcast. She retrieves me in time to prepare for dinner in our fine clothes and have some formal photographs made.

At dinner I have an overcooked chateaubriand and Anne has grouper. We visit the Park/West Gallery that is showing an old interview with Mike Wallace and Salvador Dali followed by the collaboration between Dali and Disney, “Destino”, an amazing eight minute animation that I had seen stills from many years ago. The evening’s entertainment is a terrific production highlighting Hollywood’s past with song and dance numbers from James Bond, The Wiz, and many others. I enjoy it in spite of myself and am glad to be sharing the experience with Anne who looks especially beautiful in her new black dress. The rocking of the ship has my stomach a little uneasy and it should be easier to eat only a bit tomorrow.

Jan. 17

Managed to ease my eating until dinner when I ate my whole rib dinner, baked and French-fried potatoes, bean soup, Caesar salad, roll, wine and decaf. Anne enjoyed her Cornish game hen. The winds were too high to open the top deck so I was unable to work out. We played a game of cribbage in the cave area of the ship after listening to the debarkation instructions. The anxiety of preparing for the inauguration is beginning to affect us. We stay in our cabin and watch CNN’s report of Obama’s train ride from Philadelphia to Washington with live speeches in Wilmington and Baltimore. We have been too busy with the trip at hand to feel the anticipation until today. The heaving blue seas and white caps are mesmerizing and majestic. I hear echoes of the roaring sound of my Near Death Experience. My earnest prayer of thanks goes out for our safety thus far and continued focus remains for the next and most amazing part of our journey. My deep gratitude and Love to Anne for bringing us to this place.

Jan.18

Anne barely slept last night and I didn’t do much better. The ship is docked back in Tampa and the sun is shining and beginning to warm. We have enough time for a light meal in the restaurant before disembarking. It takes a long time for our shuttle to arrive. Anne gives Darnell and Diana a farewell pin and we step into a shop nearby for an Obama button and commemorative pin for the inauguration. Our shuttle arrives and we are the first wheelchair the driver has ever taken. He’s nice enough to drop me off at Sawgrass Park before taking Anne on to Bob and Petra’s. I spend 3 blissful hours pushing among the maple trees on a busy Sunday for the park.

Anne meets me and we push back to Bob’s to visit with Ana and George and a light meal of Chinese takeout. Bob is in pretty bad shape when we first arrive but after a nap and some oxygen he perks up and we enjoy a nice visit. We get a ride the 2 miles to the Star Extended Stay Motel. We walk several blocks to a Walgreens for a clock and other essentials. The motel is on a seedy strip of Highway 19 and some unsavory characters are milling about. I’m glad to provide an escort for my love. We return and pack for Washington.

Jan. 19

Shuttle Express picks us up around 10;00 am for the ride to Tampa airport. We have managed to get all our gear into Anne’s carry on bag and my backpack and won’t have to check in luggage that is now costing money even for the first bag. US Air had just endured a horrific accident in New York where the pilot ditched in the Hudson after encountering a flock of birds and I’m a little uneasy. There is a large group of happy and excited people ready to attend the festivities and we chat with a black elected official and her friends briefly. We weren’t able to secure bulkhead and are cramped in the 17^th row but it’s a short flight and we touch down at Reagan International Airport at 3:00 pm and have no trouble getting to the Metro stop for our ride out to the Doubletree in Maryland.

It’s a good thing we ordered our passes ahead of time as there is a long line waiting to get their tickets. There are lots of smiles on the passengers and all manner of Obama paraphernalia, buttons, scarves, hats, jackets etc. The Potomac is covered in ice and the outside temperature is a frigid 10 degrees and we’re already wondering how we’re going to manage staying out in it very long. Our hotel is several blocks from the subway stop so we board a local bus for the short distance. Our room, number 1409, is on the corner with a balcony but not especially accessible. The staff removes the bathroom door and I go through some of the material the hotel has provided including a commemorative button while Anne unpacks. We’re both anxious to get to the National Mall and scope out the best place for us to view the inauguration so bundle up against the cold and hike back to the Metro stop and soon emerge at the central station.

Everything looks quite different and we are somewhat turned around and eventually stumble across the Smithsonian Museum of American Art that I hadn’t seen the last few times I’d been in WA DC on account of a massive remodel. It was the only must-see that I had planned. Even though we’re pretty hunger and the sun is beginning to set we’re happy to see that it’s open until 7:00 pm and step inside to see familiar and new pieces in a terrific fresh setting. Naturally it’s fairly crowded and the staff seems overwhelmed but it adds to the historic nature of our trip to see how America has been portrayed through the ages and a special exhibit of Presidential Portraits particularly puts us in the proper mood. A special “Green Ball” is scheduled later with Al Gore in attendance and we commoners mingle in the foyer with tuxedoed dignitaries and it’s so crowded that we eventually receive a police escort to the exit.

Outside is a moving party and smiling African-Americans heavily outnumbers us whites. We spot a Chipotle shop and duck in to escape the cold as much as to split a pork burrito. A costumed super-Obama on roller skates is entertaining the crowd and posing for photos and unlicensed vendors are selling everything imaginable. We try to get our bearings but head in the wrong direction and are wandering aimlessly until Anne spots a sign directing us to the Mall. After some frustration we find ourselves at the Capitol. It is a magnificent sight, illuminated brilliantly and festooned with innumerable flags, banners and jumbo-trons flanking the presidential platform. We take several photos and soak up the atmosphere but we’re both freezing in spite of our long-johns and unsure where the nearest subway stop is located. Instead of taking a chance on a stop down on the Mall we hightail to Union Station where we know we can catch the red line back to our Medical Center stop. The train station is a complete zoo but everyone is in high spirits. We acquire a few souvenirs and grab something for tomorrow’s breakfast and see television crews interviewing someone in ceremonial garb who claims to be Obama’s sister from Kenya.

The cold is beginning to affect me and I’m nervous about tomorrow. We’ve only been out in the cold for two hours and are very uncomfortable. If all goes as planned we’ll be in the cold for four hours even before the swearing in ceremony begins. We’re back at the hotel around 10:00 pm and into bed by 11:30.

Jan. 20

Inauguration Day. I did not sleep very well and tell Anne I need one more hour. She rises and begins to prepare herself and pack some essentials for the day. We turn on the television and are immediately frightened at what we see. Before sunrise and already there are tens of thousands of people on the Mall. Horror stories filter in about hours long waits to get onto the subway and people unable to move. The temperature is 15 degrees with a wind chill that takes it much lower. This is a recipe for disaster that we decide we are unwilling to bear. As difficult as it is to change our plan and not attend the formal swearing in, we both feel a deep sense of relief and will console ourselves by watching the proceedings in comfort on our flat screen television.

We go downstairs for a full breakfast and Anne walks to a nearby store for the last Washington Post. I flip from channel to channel and get a sense of the excitement. The rising sun over the Capitol begins to bring the multitude into view and I’m not sure whether the crowds are jumping for joy or to try and stay warm. The ceremony begins with the president and first lady elect attending a prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church. One tradition over, they now drive a few blocks to the White House in the new presidential limousine, dubbed “the Beast” for coffee with the Bushes. There is an awkward moment when they’re unsure of who greets whom first and then they retreat into the residence while the cameras cut away back to the crowds that are building by the minute. We wonder who’s back I’d be staring into while trying to get an elusive glimpse of a grainy jumbo-tron in a freezing sea of humanity and feel like we made a wise decision.

Obama and Bush next drive slowly along Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol where custom and ceremony take over. It is striking to see the old guard assume their positions. Mostly old, white men in wool overcoats. Dick Cheney has pulled a muscle in his back and is obliged to utilize a wheelchair. I cringe at the reinforcement of the evil madman stereotyped as someone with a disability but there he is, looking for all the world an image of Dr. Strangelove. Vice President Biden’s swearing in by the senior member of the Supreme Court goes off effortlessly but when it comes to Barack Obama’s moment, Chief Justice Roberts flubs his recitation and that throws off the new president. The crowd erupts into jubilation and we can feel the vibrations all the way to our room.  Obama’s inaugural address is a sobering assessment of the United States recent and past history, a repudiation of the failed policies and false idealism and fear mongering of the Bush administration and a renewed call to arms to further America’s perfection.

We continue to watch the proceedings, as the next formality is a luncheon with the assembled mucky mucks. Ted Kennedy suffers a seizure, no doubt from exposure, and is taken to a nearby hospital for observation. The multitude begins to disperse and we feel that we can now safely bundle up and head down to capture the afterglow while the inaugural parade is underway. It’s fairly insane with people at the subway stop and Anne is reluctant to push so I take the lead and with some effort get through and have help from National Guard troops to clear a path into the open. There are still thousands of people on the Mall and many hundreds of thousands a couple blocks over for the parade. Security has it cordoned off and we watch and listen on the jumbo-trons while shivering in the wind. In spite of the tons of trash that are whipped into mini-tornadoes the spectacle is awesome and we both feel fortunate to be here and relieved that we made a wise decision to avoid the madness.

We pick up a few American flags that have been discarded and head towards the museums on the South side of the Mall. We first visit the Hirshorn Museum and have a snack and then enter the Sackler and enjoy the Asian art while moving towards the Freer where I can make my pilgrimage to Whistler’s peacock room and see the fine collection of paintings by Dewing. We are somewhat dismayed at the piles of trash and the people within are not art lovers but simply there to escape the cold. The Smithsonian Metro stop is closed so we are obliged to backtrack several blocks to another stop that gets us to the main station and back to our hotel. We have a terrific Tex-Mex meal at Guapos Restaurant next door and return to our room relieved, relaxed and historically fulfilled. We get a call from Petra who is in a bad state after having to call 911 and getting Bob to the hospital.

Jan. 21

Anne rises early to make sure she gets a commemorative copy of the morning’s Washington Post and receives a call from Anna and Margarite with the news that Bob has taken a turn for the worse and will probably not survive the day. His mounting health issues have caught up to him and we send him our prayers for a peaceful transition to his next life. We are behind for our scheduled coffee with WA ST Senator Patty Murray in the Old Senate Building and stop at her office to sign in and leave her one of my pins. As an intern is escorting us to the reception room we see Patty Murray coming our way and are able to introduce ourselves and share our concerns briefly. We continue towards the reception and I recognize but do not approach Congressman Jim McDermott. Seattle Mayor Greg Nichols is also in attendance and we do have a short meeting with him where I’m able to advocate for WSAC, VSA and PSG. We linger for another few minutes and then decide to have lunch in the Senate dining room. We pick up some soup and grab a table by the door where we can see is any recognizable lawmakers enter the room.

Meetings are underway at various tables around us when Anne’s cell phone rings and we both immediately feel a sense of dread. Sure enough, word comes through that Bob has died and Anne’s eyes begin to fill. She makes calls to mom, Betty and her kids and we feel a mixture of sadness, relief and gratitude that we will be there for a memorial and to give Petra love and support.

While on Capitol Hill on a brilliant but freezing day we decide to see if we can tour the rotunda and head towards the new visitor’s center. A large group of anti-abortion protesters are carrying crosses across the plaza on their way towards a rally on the steps of the Supreme Court. At the visitor’s center we wait in line and then are rebuffed at entering because we would have been obligated to throw away all of our food and water for security measures. Instead, we return to Union Station for a few more souvenirs and then go next door to the Postal Museum to tour the exhibits and have our postcards stamped with a special inauguration cancellation. We continue towards the Mall, past innumerable vendors selling inauguration knock-offs at a much-reduced price and get to the East Wing Gallery of Art. The special exhibit is a fabulous show on Pompeii with artifacts, replicas and paintings inspired by the cataclysm. I’ve seen the show of small European paintings and the permanent modern works but they are well worth seeing again and we fortify ourselves with some of the snacks we brought with us.

We’re spared returning to the cold and take the underground passageway to the West wing of the Gallery of Art and I’m pleased to see the Dutch rooms are again open and we see the Italian and Spanish collections also. I can tell that Anne is beginning to fade and we still have a long push to our dinner at the Willard Hotel so after seeing a sweet exhibit of old master drawings and some of the sculptures we exit the museum and under an exquisite sunset we head West along the parade route of the previous day. We are early for our reservation but the courteous staff obliges us and will seat us early. I wait in the ornate lobby that gave rise to the term “Lobbyist” and scan the historic newspaper while Anne changes into her formal dress. She looks great and we’re ushered up a slight elevator and wait just outside the lavish dining room.

Just before we enter I recognize General Petraeus coming down the flag draped hallway in full uniform. He comes right past us and I extend my hand and thank him for his service to our country. We can barely believe it. To meet our senator, mayor and now supreme military commander all within a few hours is too much. We toast our excellent good fortune with some cabernet from the Loire Valley at our private corner table in the opulent room while Caesar salad is prepared at our table. The waiter makes it almost identical to Anne’s but hers is superior in that she tears her lettuce rather than the chopped version we enjoy here. She orders a fantastic sea bass and my filet mignon is the best I’ve ever had. In spite of or maybe because of the sad news about Anne’s brother we feel thankful to be alive and to share this extraordinary experience with each other and feel a renewed sense of history. It’s a short 3 blocks to the Metro station and before too long we’re back in our room and only slightly perturbed to learn that the maid has thrown out the commemorative newspaper that Anne had bought earlier that morning.

Jan. 22

We’re not in a huge hurry to get out to our flight and speculate briefly on how we might take in another museum or monument en route. It might’ve been pushing our luck and we decide to go a bit early and enjoy lunch at the airport and see if we can exchange our seats for bulkhead. No such luck and I’m again scrunched in my seat for the 2-hour flight. There are a few familiar faces aboard and we smile and acknowledge those we’ve shared the amazing time with. There are some glitches in getting our rental car once we’re back in Tampa but eventually we secure our 2-door Chrysler Sebring and head towards St. Pete. Petra is understandably upset and very glad to see us. She has many family members with her for comfort and the little we can do is to add our sympathy and help with arrangements for the memorial. Our room is freezing cold when we return and we can’t figure out how to set the thermostat and it’s too late to get help from the manager. We spend a chilly night huddling together under extra covers.

Jan. 23

There is nothing that I can do to assist in the preparations so ask Anne to drop me off at Sawgrass Park to exercise in the woods while she returns to Petra’s apartment. For nearly 4 hours I put the brutal cold of Washington behind me and bask in the sun and marvel at the armadillos, alligators and beautiful birds that inhabit the preserve. I consider Bob’s life and the joy that Petra brought to it and feel a sense of inner peace knowing that his pain is over and that his life was full of helping others. Anne retrieves me and we both return to Petra’s apartment that is full of daughters, grand daughters, sons and various in-laws. The rest of the afternoon and evening is spent here visiting and getting to know our newly extended family.

Jan. 24

Bob’s memorial is held at a nearby funeral home and the reception room is full of family, friends and former police officers. Petra’s family delivers heartfelt remarks and Anne reads her personal story about what Bob meant to her. It is a sad affair and I sit with Sam and Commie and we remember some of the good times. It’s good to see Betty, Doug, Craig and Hazel who we might not have seen otherwise. The service is followed by a reception at the apartment’s clubhouse and afterwards Anne is kind enough to take me over to Weeden Island Nature Preserve to push along the newly renovated boardwalks. It gets cooler and I’m glad when she returns and we then go back and spend the remainder of the evening visiting at Petra’s apartment and eating reception leftovers.

Jan. 25

We will not be here for the internment of Bob’s remains so our last opportunity to honor his memory is at the Sunday service at Petra’s church. The Lutheran mass is nearly identical to a Catholic service and I taste my first host since dad’s funeral mass 5 years ago. The altar area is decorated with yesterday’s flowers and Bob’s photograph looks back at us from an adjacent table. The process is a comfort to Petra and her family provides a strong sense of spiritual support. We visit briefly at Margarite’s house nearby but are both anxious to get out, see some sights and enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather.

I had been encouraged to tour Ybor City and see the Spanish influence in the architecture. Since it’s Sunday afternoon the streets are rolled up a bit and many shops are closed. We find a spot to have some grouper for lunch and check out a few shops that are open for business. The Superbowl will be played here in Tampa next week and there are Steelers and Cardinals paraphernalia all over. We wander up and down 7^th Avenue and detect an undercurrent of violence that is reinforced as we drive past government projects on our way back towards Tampa. We stop briefly at a store that sells inauguration buttons and get 2 more to give to friends.

Continuing towards St. Pete we’ve heard that there is an art festival underway at Baywalk in central downtown. It’s about 3 blocks long and we enjoy touring the booths and seeing the paintings, photographs, jewelry and sculptures being offered. The museum of art has undergone some major renovations but it is so close to closing that we will save it for another day. We reload and drive out to the Gulf Coast and watch the sunset while a large group of drummers serenade the day’s demise. Next is dinner at Crabby Bill’s, a local institution that is next door to where Amanda and Jonathon were staying. They serve us terrific margaritas, boiled shrimp, fried grouper and key lime pie that is nearly as good as Anne’s. Without a map we return directly back to our apartment where I’m dropped off to write while Anne goes back to Petra’s and hangs out with the family.

Jan. 26

Sleep in a little and then get dressed, eat a bit and get dropped off at Sawgrass Park while Anne goes to Petra’s and helps with paperwork. It’s Terri’s birthday and she and Bennie also assist with the legal matters. For 4 hours on the warmest day so far I push among the trees on the boardwalks. I’ve developed a sore on my left elbow probably on account of the hard bed and scratchy sheets. I’m completely worn out by 3:00 pm and famished. Anne retrieves me and we push back to Petra’s where they continue their efforts while I read the commemorative issue of Time Magazine. Petra presents me with a lovely music box of Bob’s that is carved wood and plays a German tune.

We all drive out to the beach with Ana for a celebration dinner at Crabby Bill’s. Terri is a good sport and endures a birthday song by the staff while wearing a coffee filter on her head. Whatever calories I might’ve burned up were more than replaced with new ones over fried oysters etc. Anne has frog legs and later reminds me that she asked me to tell no one about her detox program. Oops- she returns again to Petra’s while I write and watch Matrix in Spanish.

Jan. 27

Our only plan for today is a visit to Sarasota and the Ringling Museum of Art and dinner with Craig and Hazel. It takes us barely an hour to get there and we are one of the first in for the day and mostly have the galleries to ourselves. Many of the marvelous paintings are new to my eyes and a new wing shows a special exhibit of kimonos and an area to compare pieces from the collection that are similar yet different. The contemporary room has some curious early Duchamp oils and a terrific Corbino. Unfortunately, several pieces are wrapped in clear plastic and are obscured. We take in one wing and then break for lunch at the Banyan Café. They have changed the operation and instead of an elegant café with waiters it is a stripped down cafeteria-style eatery. We grad a quick bite and walk back to the art museum and get a book of the collection in the shop along with a cool pin.

From there we marvel at the miniature circus and historic paraphernalia. Anne would like to rest and I suggest a chair on the patio in front of the Ringling mansion, Ca’ d Zan overlooking Sarasota Bay. She gets a few moments of peace while I peruse my new book and enjoy the Florida sunshine. We later call mom who reports that Seattle is freezing with a fresh dusting of snow. We hide one of my pins in the corner of the covered patio to the south of the mansion. It’s a short drive to the Lee Roy Selmon’s restaurant where we meet Craig and Hazel for a terrific meal while a dozen different televisions feature any number of sports programs. Anne and I split a pulled pork dish and I have a bowl of gumbo. Later, we return to their home to visit and get a detailed tour of their extensive collections of banks, Anne is fading and with the help of some home-made candy is able to stay awake for the drive back to our apartment.

Jan. 28

We’re up early enough to head downtown for a rushed visit to the Fine Art Museum and a spectacular exhibition of Durer’s graphic art. The museum has been remodeled and though I’m not too impressed by some of the contemporary pieces in the permanent collection the museum as a whole is well balanced and features some wonderful works. We had stopped on our way to get a Harley Davidson shirt for Patty and since Anne has some major work in getting us ready for our return I suggest dropping me off at Sawgrass. Lousy weather is supposed to move in tomorrow and the clouds and wind have increased but it is still warm and I’m only too happy to spend the next 3 hours pushing along the boardwalks.

Anne returns to get me and so does Mary Jane and her new boyfriend Jason, her friend Tina and their combined brood of children. We visit for a while and take some photographs before Anne and I head over to Betty’s to say goodbye and pick up Mary Jane’s oldest, Renee who has grown to be a poised and accomplished 14 year-old straight A student. From there we go to Petra’s for dinner with Ana, Margarite and Daisy. It’s delicious and we spend some nice final moments visiting. Return and prepare for our return to home tomorrow. TY G-D