Back in Puerto Rico!

We flew back from Florida on Tuesday, and made it back to Puerto Rico safely.  It's a LOT easier to fly from Florida to Puerto Rico than from Minnesota to Puerto Rico.  A much faster flight!

Our flight went smoothly, the bags all made it, and we got a rental car with no problem.  Then, we drove two hours from San Juan to Isabela.  Jake had to adjust to the traffic, drivers, and road conditions on the way...  We weren't sure about how we'd be feeling about going back to Puerto Rico, but it felt like our new normal.  

After we lugged our baggage upstairs and checked out our place, we headed to the Post and Shop.  This is what 16 days of mail looks like...  

We brought an empty suitcase with us, and managed to fill it up!   Some of our thrilling purchases: spatulas, almonds, can koozies, glass water bottles.  Jake got jeans, and a couple of pairs of sandals/shoes to wear in Puerto Rico.  KC bought a Teavana tea maker, and tea (she's going to try to stop drinking pop) and new makeup.  The big purchase of our trip was a Berkey water filter, which we can't wait to use!

Florida Food

If you live in the contiguous United States, you can skip this post- it will be of no interest to you.   In fact, this post is probably only for us when we read this blog printed out as a book ten years from now...   We're going back to Puerto Rico a couple of pounds heavier because we were so happy to  frequent the places we don't have access to there.  

We did try many local places while in Florida too.  But, here are some of the food chains/types of foods we enjoyed indulging in! :)

Olive Garden

Chipotle

Starbucks

We've wished for DQ so many times with the heat and humidity! 

Blizzards

(Not pictured: Panera, Jimmy John's, Thai, Chinese, Pho, spring rolls, and Diet Mountain Dew)

Now, let the home cooking and the healthy eating commence!

Florida Weekend #2

Friday

Crabby Bill's

We had dinner at Crabby Bill's on Friday night.  Crabby Bill's is in Clearwater Beach.  Our fish meals were great, and we enjoyed the live music and relaxed atmosphere!

Saturday

A.L. Anderson Park

We know we've only been in Puerto Rico for a VERY short while, but the heat and humidity has thinned our Minnesota blood a bit...  It was maybe in the mid 60's and very windy- but it was cold to us!  One of Jake's co-workers suggested this as a good place to see alligators.  We didn't see any, and assumed they were staying warm somewhere else.

Sponge Docks

Then, we went to the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.  We watched a video on how sponges are collected by the sponge divers, and processed.  Many different kinds and types of sponges were all around.  We spent some time walking down the tourist trap of a pier.  

Sunday

We had lunch in a park, and then drove south.  KC made Jake go into a historical museum.  She loves history, and Jake thinks it's really boring...

After that, we walked to the beach.  Jake was using our new camera- so we apologize for so many pictures!

Camera boy

KC's Birthday

We went to the Salt Rock Grill for KC's birthday.  Jake had been there on previous trips to Clearwater, and enjoyed it.  

We sat outside near the water, and the boats which caught the fish we ate!  These boats distribute fish to restaurants in Clearwater Beach.

Birthday drink

Our view

Jake had red snapper, and KC had red grouper.  Both were awesome! 

Birthday treat

Then, we stopped to enjoy the sunset.

Day 2:  KC loves cake, and needed to be sure to get some "birthday" cake.  Who knew Super Target made cake?  It was delicious!!  We both loved it, and we're pretty picky about cake.   Another reason to wish there was a Target in Puerto Rico...

Visiting Grandma Pauline

Over the weekend, we drove to visit KC's Grandma Pauline.  She lives in Cape Coral, which was a two hour drive from Clearwater.  We had to drive over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  The view was amazing overlooking the water, but the bridge was a little scary while climbing to the top.  

This is our rental car...  It was this or an SUV.  So, KC made Jake take this car.  He was a little embarrassed by our "mid life crisis" car.  But, it's not often that you get a free upgrade!  This car had less than 30 miles on it when we picked it up.  We saw that number cross over a 100 on our drive.  This is probably the only time we'll have a fire engine red two door convertible- so we put the top down, and enjoyed the sun and breeze!  

Grandma Pauline showed us around Cape Coral, and we went on a walk with Bella, her pup.  Then we went to take a look at my Grandpa's boat.  KC's Uncle Mike owns it now, and it was the first time Grandma Pauline has ever seen it closed up!  

Grandma Pauline & KC

You can see Jake's shadow- he was there too!

Here are some of the views from Grandma Pauline's house.  The house is located on a canal, and the scenery is amazing!  Jake loved the screen over the pool, and how we were able to spend so much time outdoors.  Our dream house would have an area just like this!

Canal right behind the house

Key lime tree

KC's family always took pictures in front of this tree when they visited!

On Sunday, we went to a pier near the Cape Coral Yacht Club.  It's a beautiful, peaceful area.  We walked around, and enjoyed the views.  

It was a little windy...

We all had locally caught grouper sandwiches/tacos for lunch at the Beach House.  The food and views were great, and we even spotted a manatee.

Grandma Pauline took such great care of us, that it was hard to leave...   But, we headed back to Clearwater.   

Bye Cape Coral!