Categories
Food

Applebee’s: It’s What’s For Dinner

So I unintentionally went nearly 24 hours without eating food from Saturday night through Sunday night. During that time I drove a little over 200 miles from Homestead to Fort Myers and I also walked a couple of miles.

The hunger fest came to an abrupt end last night at the Applebee’s across the street from my hotel in Estero.

Here’s what was on my menu:

Shrimp ‘N Parmesan Sirloin
  • Shrimp ‘N Parmesan Sirloin (cooked medium-well)
  • Cheddar-Jack Mac & Cheese
  • Creamed Spinach
  • Maple Butter Blondie

Maple Butter Blondie The meal was MASSIVE, and it was outrageously delicious !

You know we really need to get an Applebee’s down here in the Homestead / Florida City area. Hey, wait a minute !

Categories
Animals Driving Health Holidays Shopping Travel

The Major’s Walk-A-Thon: Special On-Location Edition – Fort Myers, Estero, & Naples

I have returned home safely from my short 31-hour / 370-mile road-trip vacation over to Florida’s Gulf coast and back. Here are some thoughts:

1.  In addition to the 370 miles that I drove I think I walked at least 5 miles at various tourist attractions, events, and other places. It’s a good thing that my legs are my most powerful limbs. I got a great workout this weekend. It is now time to relax at home.

2.  I really enjoyed the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. I spent a good two hours there on Sunday afternoon walking around all throughout the compound. The coolest part of it all was the back portion of the actual homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and the walking trail that runs right along the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. This is a place that I could return back to next year and enjoy all over again.

3.  I spent the night at a one-year-old Hampton Inn in Estero right across the Interstate from the Germain Arena. Of all of the Hampton Inns that I’ve stayed at over the past decade or so this was definitely the best of them all. It’s a no-brainer. I’ll be staying there again on my next visit to the area.

4.  This morning I walked all around the Miromar Outlets next to the Germain Arena. This is how an outdoor factory outlet mall is supposed to look like. If I lived near Estero then this would be where I (and my VISA card) would hang out on a regular basis.

5.  I walked a good mile-and-a-half at the Naples Zoo this afternoon. I’ve been there once before, and I’ll be back again on my next visit. I love that place !  It’s laid out beautifully. I love to walk, and I love hanging out with animals. The Naples Zoo offers me both opportunities. If I lived near Naples then I’d become a member of the zoo and visit over and over again.

I think it’s official now. The Orlando area is not where I wish to live when I retire in about 15 to 20 years. I think you’ll find me living peacefully and happily ever after over in the Fort Myers / Estero / Naples area sometime in the future.

Categories
Driving Holidays Shopping Travel

Happy Presidents’ Day

It’s Presidents’ Day all across the great United States Of America, so you just know what that means. You bring in your dead presidents on legal tender, and we’ll sell you a brand new mattress for up to 50% off !  We’ve got King size, Queen size, Twin size, and all in-between size !  Come and check us out today !  Our selection is impeccable !  We’ll even deliver your fresh new mattress to your home and haul away your old one !  Do it today !

Seriously though I’m headed over to the Germain Arena this morning (I can see it from here) to attend the Faith & Family Expo. That’s where this morning’s Walk-A-Thon takes me. Later today it’s the long 160-mile trip back home again to Homestead.

Have a great holiday everyone !

Categories
Annoyances Travel

The Road Rage Files – Chapter 21

I drove about 200 miles today from Homestead to Fort Myers via Florida’s Turnpike and I-75. Here are just a few thoughts of my trip today:

1.  This is the first time since the day after Thanksgiving that I have been further north of SW 184TH Street and U.S. 1 in Palmetto Bay. I need to get out more often.

2.  When the Florida Highway Patrol is by the side of the road either with their radar gun pointed out or attending to a motorist that’s already been pulled over all I see are bright red tail-lights as my fellow motorists slam on their brakes from their cruising speeds of 80, 85, 90, or more MPH down to below the posted speed limit. Meanwhile my foot remains on the gas pedal because I’m already at the posted speed limit. I’m a law-abiding motorist – even when the FHP is not watching me.

3.  20 years ago I-75 in western Broward County was a wide-open Interstate in the middle of nowhere. It was an oasis of empty pavement. My how things have changed since then !

4.  Two lanes in each direction is severely insufficient for I-75 traffic between Naples and Fort Myers. If it gets anymore congested then people are going to start driving on the grass.  😉

5.  U.S. 41 in Fort Myers (Tamiami Trail) looks a lot like U.S. 1 in South Miami-Dade. Edison Mall kinda looks like Southland Mall.