Easter Fun with a Basketball Twist

Last night Dylan Patterson, a friend of my son Adrian, came by for dinner.  After dinner we made some hand-crafted Easter eggs.  Given that we are all basketball fans and given that we are anxiously awaiting the Final Four of March Madness, it should be no surprise that the eggs turned out the way they did.  Go Kentucky!

Dylan gets inspired!

Guess who cheers for Kentucky?

John Wall fan!

Easter egg rivalry!

Flying home to Spring!!!

Spring beauties!

Duke Blue!!!

Sunshine yellow!

On Tuesday, March 20th, we caught an evening flight home.  Our flight landed in Syracuse around midnight and we stepped outside to 60 degree temperatures.  Wednesday and Thursday were both lovely days, in the mid 70's and we were delighted to be able to continue wearing our shorts.  Pat and I raked and cleaned up our yard and flower gardens and today we did Mom and Dad's flower beds too!  I arrived home to a beautiful display of spring flowers in my south facing garden.  The snowdrops are just about done and the crocus, cillas, and daffodils are now out!  What a wonderful March!  Record temperatures were set on numerous days and spring has truly sprung in Kingston.

Orlando Magic time!

After dinner, on Monday, we wandered over to the Magic Team Shop and Adrian bought a J.J. Redick shirt.  Redick is number 7 for the Magic and a former Duke player.  After a quick change we headed over to the stadium early.  Although our seats were in the cheap section the ushers let us into the lower area for awhile.  Adrian and I waited for the players to enter to get signatures and Pat stood on the opposite side to take pictures.  We managed to get a few signatures.  Unfortunately, Redick waved but did not stop to sign.  The Magic did not have a good game and lost to the Bulls by at least 20.  J.J. only got 3 points but another former Duke player, Carlos Boozer, who plays for the Bulls had a big game with 20 something points.  There were actually four former Duke players on the floor, two play for the Bulls and two for the Magic.  Even though Duke was unable to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament they must be doing something right to produce such great players!

Shopping for a Redick shirt.

Waiting for Redick!

Hedo Turkaglu warms up.  He is a former Raptor.

Redick arrives to warm up.

Working on the three!

Derek Rose was injured so he did not play.

Rose talks to the fans during the warm-up!

View from the cheap seats!

Game time!  Go Magic!

Monday: Exploring the Florida Heartland

On Monday, March 19th we left the beach area and drove inland through the heartland of Florida.  We were on our way to Orlando to watch the Orlando Magic play the Chicago Bulls.  Along the way we saw many, many citrus fields and lots of beef farms.

Once we arrived we were hustled into the hotel by the staff.  It seems that they were in the process of filming a commercial for the upcoming PGA tournament.  The commercial featured the golfer, Rickie Fowler, and between takes Adrian managed to get a picture with him.

We ate an early dinner at the "Five Guys Hamburger and Fries" restaurant.  The burgers were great and a large order of fries was enough to feed the three of us.  They fill the container twice.  The first fill is "dumped" into the bottom of the bag and the second sits in the container.  Lots to eat!

Adrian and his buddy Rickie!

Florida citrus.

Beautiful fruit.  The blossoms smelled lovely too!

A local processing plant!

Fun in Lover's Key, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island!

Yesterday was our last day at Fort Myers' beach.  We went back to our favourite state park, Lover's Key.  Pat and Adrian went kayaking while I entertained myself with a book on the beach.  They looked for manatees and gators but saw neither.  A good time nevertheless!

Today we drove to Sanibel Island.  It was yet another beautiful day in the 80's!  We rented bikes from Billy's Bikes and rode on nice paths covering most of the island.  One trail went through the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge and along this route we saw many birds and fish, but alas no gators!

After returning the bikes we drove to Captiva Island to see how the other half vacation.  Million dollar homes line both sides of the single street which runs the length of the island.  We managed to find a nice spot to stop.  Adrian had a "Peace Tea" and Pat and I treated ourselves to lattes!  It was a great day!

Father and son fun!

The Grews go biking!

A couple of crows!

This tree is nick-named the "tourist tree" because its' bark is brown and flaky.

Pat and Nancy enjoying a latte on Captiva Island.

Peace tea has swag!

Fun in Fort Myers!

Going up........

up......

up.........

and away!!!!

Pat, Adrian and I are on our annual trip to Fort Myers, Florida where we are having a great time relaxing in the sun.  The weather here has been great... sunny and warm everyday (in the 80's).  Of course, we have also been watching a lot of basketball.  March would not be the same without March Madness!  Today, Adrian and I went parasailing in the Gulf of Mexico.  It was our first time to try this exciting experience and I highly recommend it to anyone.  Believe it or not, it is very peaceful floating 600 m above the water.  The view is fabulous.