April 10th and 11th Laundry in Naples with FL Gary

Pics:
Gary in front of Capt. Gary Thompson advertisement

Me in front of a real fixRupper

road side flowers, taken on our bike ride

The bike ride, that's Gary up ahead there

A couple of pictures of a house worth $850,000.00 ??

FL - Gary Thompson and my Gary Thompson

Ortencia: Bartender at the Rod and Gun Club, makes the best Pina Coladas ANYWHERE!!

Stern view

Bathroom visitor (look close)

Let me start off here by backing up to when we first pulled in here. Gary called the marina and talked to Barbara. He says, "Hi, my name is Gary Thompson and I need a slip" Barbara says,"
what do you need a slip for?" Gary says, "ahh for my boat" Barbara says,"what happened to your slip?" Something along those lines and the conversation went on from there. It came out pretty fast that my Gary Thompson is not the Gary Thompson that she knew from the local area. And now for the rest of the story........................

Yesterday morning Gary and I took a walk to get him a coffee and check things out here in Everglades City. The town itself is a little worse for wear due to the hurricanes, and as of about 6 months ago is on the rebound. Lots of construction is going on. Well anyway, on the walk we stopped at the local hardware store. Gary struck up a conversation with this regular guy, talking fishing and cruising. After about 20 minutes I joined them and mentioned that we were quite happy being stuck here all except for laundry. The only laundramat in town blew away, basically. Then this guy who just met us, offers to take us to Naples ( an hour drive) and drop us off at a laundramat, and then pick us up after he takes care of some errands. I'm like flabergasted, and introduce myself and "Gary". The "guy" shakes hands with us and says,"I'm a Gary too" (this could get confusing but hang in there) My Gary looks him in the eye and asks,"Are you Gary Thompson?" This guy (we'll call him FL Gary) a little startled answers, "Yes". My Gary says,"I'm Gary Thompson too!" (from the conversation yesterday with Barbara, the lights start going off, that this is the Gary that Barbara knew as a local charter captain) ANYWAY, If it wasn't for Him we would not have gotten laundry done. He's good people. While we were driving around with him he introduced us to his son..............Gary Thompson Jr...........what are the chances! ! During the drive he told us a few stories. One happened on a sunny afternoon, he was driving down the street minding his own business and in the back of his 4 door pick up truck he was transporting a tank of gas or some kind of flammable fuel. At a local light he waved at his son (standing on the corner,he's in firefighter school), when a drunk driver in his 20's with his 16 year old brother in the passenger seat, SMASHES into the rear end of the truck. He never hit the breaks, and his speed was estimated at 95 miles ph. The impact shot FL Gary's truck forward, broke his seat off its foundation (yes he was wearing a seat belt) and slammed his shoulder into the door jam. He had numerous other injuries. The other driver and passenger didn't fair as well. Gary's son burned his arms trying to free the two of them from the burning car. Tragically, as they hit the rear of FL Gary's truck, the fuel tank was hurled backwards and rolled onto they're hood, and caught fire. Both were pinned inside and burned to death. It was reported that the fire burned so hot that it left an indention in the pavement. FL Gary is a believer and I'm sure that God's hedge of protection was around him that day. Again Thanks so much for all your help. It was a very nice way to spend the day.

This morning Brittany started early working on her science school work. This means music that we don't like (usually) , some one singing with headphones on, and nowhere to sit (she has to spread all her school stuff out, understandably). So Gary,Eddie and I walked to the local Gator express to get Gary a coffee and me a cup of tea. We also bought a power bar to split if your interested. Then we walked back to the boat. I then took Eddie out for our power/hour walk all around the neighborhood. When I got back Gary had taken the bikes off the boat. Brittany was happy to have the boat to herself (we are too distracting, we're told... humff). Gary and I then took the bikes and headed off to (I'll fill this in tomorrow, Gary knows the name) This was quite a trek. We went like 7 miles, and it was hot. We visited this very historic museum called (I'll fill this in ..etc....) While on this long hot ride I saw those beautiful flowers, and that interesting old house.

Brittany was still working and making great progress on her science when we got back. So we followed her lead and put together all the things that need to be mailed and all the school stuff that we have to make a copy of to send to her supervisory teacher in Maine. Off on the bikes again to the real estate/copy place/ local info office. Gary and I worked together and took care of the copies then peddaled(sp?) over to the post office which was closed by 3. It's 3:30. Grrr
Oh well, looks like we may be here tomorrow with this wind. We'll mail everything Wednesday.

When we got back from that trip we were spent, but I had stuff to do, just in case we could leave in the morning. Eddie got a bath, and the outside of the boat had to be washed, it was filthy. I wanted to unwind a little so Gary and I went up to the club. I ordered a $7.50 screwdriver, and Gary had a $7.50 scotch on the rocks. We indulged in one, any more than that and Gary would have gotten wound up. The club is a fabulous place so we sat and sipped and took in all the art work, animal trophys and memoribilia. They also have a great pool table. On a lark, I beat Gary. We immediately returned to the boat. :) Gary made spaghetti and meat balls.......excellent. I did dishes and then took a shower while Gary and Brittany wentup to the Club and played a game of pool. The results were not discussed. (shrug).

Ian and France, on the VERITAS have really kept in touch with us. We look forward to meeting up with them. Looks like we'll be traveling together all the way into N.E. If of course the wind ever lets us out of here. But is is a great place to be "stuck".

Keep us in your prayers, your in ours
XXOO
Victoria's Perspective