Naples is almost directly across Florida to the west of Miami and requires a drive through the Everglades to get there. Vicky’s in-laws, Liz and Guy, have a home there and have been quarenting there instead of New England because, again, why not quarantine in a place where the weather is warm enough all year to ride a bicycle and walk on the beach. They invited us to come stay the night in the condo next to theirs which is conveniently owned by Liz’s sister. As you may know by now, if you’ve read my About Me, I am from a tiny town in South Central Massachusetts where everyone knows everyone. I happen to have known Vicky’s husband and his family since elementary school so not only was I comfortable because I know them I also trust them in how they have maintained social distancing throughout COVID.
When we arrived we caught up on their lanai (a word I learned on this trip). Liz and Guy happen to be coffee connoisseurs (my kind of people) and have an espresso machine in their home. Liz made me a homemade coconut-almond latte. Side note- my mom is a serious coffee lover and has her coffee with a special milkyway creamer every afternoon at around 4pm. Liz not only happened to make us wonderful coffees right around that time but she cheers-ed my cup which is something my mom does all the time. It was such a special moment for me that made me feel connected to home and my family. We then sat down to continue catching up and plan for dinner.
Liz and Guy had reserved the grill in their condo complex for us to cook dinner outside with another couple they have been seeing outdoors; being outside would allow us to eat together but at separate tables. To pass the time before dinner Vicky and I walked over the beach which you can see from their condo. They warned us that they had the Red Tide and to wear masks because the spores from the microorganisms get into their air. In New England, I have seen what we call the Red Tide in Newport, RI many times but have experienced it more as a ton of red seaweed that smells like low tide. We were coughing while walking the beach and there were dead fish everywhere. Aside from the Red Tide we saw a beautiful sunset and I dipped my toes in the Gulf of Mexico!
We had just enough time before dinner for Liz to drive Vicky and I around a short tour of Naples because I had never been. The three of us wore our masks in the small space of the car and off we went. Vicky had described Naple’s to me as a pristine, manicured community “without a single palm frond on the ground” (palm frond is the 2nd new word I learned on this trip). Liz drove us through both old and new Naples. New Naples reminds me of a mix of Newbury Street in Boston and Market Commons In Myrtle Beach, shops and restaurants with condos above them. We also drove by “the small mansions” on our way back to eat dinner.
We met Liz and Guy’s friend from the condo complex outside the pool house. We had a wonderful dinner of grilled fajitas, pork, homemade guacamole, and salad. We had wine and great conversation about everything from the couple’s sailing adventures to books to family to politics to my trip. The woman, Donna, recommended I read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil when she heard I was both an avid reader and planning to visit Savannah, GA. She explained that it was basically the bible of Savannah, based on a true story, and that I would want to check out the places mentioned during my time there- consider it read.
After dinner we went back to Liz and Guy’s and continued to share stories and wine. We had intense conversations about politics, racial inequity, and sexuality yet were all able to thoughtfully share differing opinions and consider each other’s points; it was beautiful and inspiring. Guy then played the acoustic guitar for us as the perfect end to a wonderful evening.
Before heading off in the morning we went for another walk on the beach with Liz and then Liz made sure I had a fresh latte for the car ride. She also found out I was going to be collecting bumper stickers for the cargo box I had installed on the roof of my car and told me she had been holding onto one, not sure what to do with it, to be my first addition. “WTF: Welcome to Florida.” Everytime I get in my car and see this sticker I laugh a little.
Where My Feet Are 