Wanderers : Florida - Back in the USA!

We arrived in Miami December 4th, 2023, first time in the Continental USA since September 28, 2022.

We headed to the airport and rented a Highlander. That was interesting! I reserved a vehicle with unlimited miles only to be told that since I had Florida driver's license, I could only drive 50 miles per day. What!?! I asked the guy, "Where can I drive in Florida within 50 miles?" His response, "Well... pretty much nowhere." Apparently people have been renting cars and using them to drive for Uber/Lyft so rental car companies are capping Florida residents at 50 miles/day. Long story short (you don't want the long story) we were able to get unlimited miles for an additional $10/day. That was the 'best he could do'. Whatever. Add on an unlimited EZ/SunPass for another $13/day and the price pretty much doubled. I think the guy felt sorry for us and upgraded us to a Highlander vs the RAV4 I reserved.

We headed directly to Ft Myers. We were on a mission to move our 5x5 storage unit with all our worldly possessions inland to a cheaper unit. We were in Hawaii when Hurricane Ian hit October '22. We had no idea what the condition of our stuff was and our rates almost DOUBLED October '23. We headed inland near Lake Okechobee and found a much cheaper storage unit.

Old Storage Unit

Car is packed

We have a tiny space open

New Storage Unit

All Packed Up

Publix/Walmart... After being out of the US for so long, sensory overload is all I have to say about this.

Next we headed to Sanibel Island to visit friends. Over a year later since Ian and Sanibel is still decimated. Most of the resorts are still closed as well as most restaurants. Very sad. But it was great seeing Sally, Billy, Tom and Clare! We even sqeezed in a much needed physical.

The Causeway

Sanibel Beach

Pond Apple Trail

Pond Apple

Just getting a tan

We had to stop and get Mudbug's Oysters
On the 1/2 Shell & Grilled

After Ft Myers, we drove to Key West. We had a townhouse on Trumbo Point Naval Air Station. Our friends, Tony and Michelle live on their boat at Boca Chica Marina and Derek and Diane were flying in the day we arrived. Michelle made us a delicious dinner and we picked up D&D and had a fun time at our townhouse. They are the two couples we traveled to the Bahamas with in '21.

Key West Sand Bar

Key West Boat Parade

Happy hour at the Boathouse and a stroll along the waterfront was a must do before the Key West Trolley Christmas Light Tour.

We got photo bombed 💣

Michelle was having fun!

Honorary Chief Pinning Ceremony

This was a new one for us -- Bowling in Key West. So much fun and a great rainy day activity!

Let's see what I can do!

I think she knocked a pin down

Strike a pose!

The week in Key West was a blur! These videos may explain why.

Food & Drink Porn

Two Friends Key Lime Colada

TF's Steamed Shrimp

TF's Fish Dip

Boat House Lobster Bisque

Kaya Island Eats' Kaya Salad

KIE's Jamaican Jerk Wings

KIE's Tacos

KIE's Tuna Poke

Off The Hook's Tuna Poke

Alonzo's Pretzel Sticks

A's Tacos 🌮

Mary Ellen's Old Fashioned (on TAP!)

Harpoon Harry's Bloody

HH's Eggs Benedict

El Sibonay #1 Roast Pork

EL's Grilled Chicken

Thai Island's House Salad

TI's

TI's Curry

Michelle's Homemade Berry Crisp

How did we get here? We departed the beautiful Regent Splendor reluctantly, made our way outside the Miami Cruise terminal where our driver was waiting for us to transport us to the Miami International Airport car rental. We returned the vehicle at Ft Lauderdale International Airport before flying to BWI.