Funtime Travelers

 April 2008 Newsletter

Harbor Lakes Encore Super Park

Port Charlotte, FL

By
Ted Meekma

Eight coaches met at Harbor Lakes on Friday, for what turned out to be a really fun weekend together! Additionally, Dave Nobert and Janice Cummings, who live nearby, decided to leave their coach at home, and drove in for the weekend festivities. Jerry and Nancy Miller also joined us Friday afternoon and evening.
 
Friday afternoon was spent just sitting in the shade and visiting, and of course, our Happy Hour. Our dinner, Friday evening, was Bud Geng’s spaghetti and meatballs, and once again, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Phyllis Clinton provided all the condiments for a hearty, healthy lettuce salad, and Dave & Janice contributed garlic bread to top it all off. After dinner, some played games, some just visited and some chose to call it a night and returned to their coaches.
 
Saturday morning began with a delicious pitch-in breakfast, followed by our chapter meeting. Lunch was more of Chef Geng’s left over spaghetti and meatballs, and we still couldn’t finish it off! Several of us brought containers that Bud filled which will provide a few more meals for us! Thanks Bud! We appreciate your generosity!
 
Saturday afternoon we carpooled to Boca Grande, and spent a few very enjoyable hours on the beach, visiting the Lighthouse Museum and just taking in the sights. Betty McLauchlin lined us all up to have a group picture taken on one of the walkways going over to the beach. However, a friendly gentlemen offered to take our picture so that Betty could also be in it. After the first “click,” Betty asked him to please take another, just to be sure in case the first one didn’t turn out to well. I’m sure both of them would have been great pictures…….had there been film in the camera!!! A senior moment….Betty?? Luckily, Harlan Evans had his digital with him, so we still succeeded in getting our group picture taken!
 
Just the drive out to Boca Grande was beautiful! The color of the Gulf water, and surrounding inlets, were breath-taking! The Light House Museum was very interesting, with a wealth of knowledge for one to absorb.
 
Later, we drove to Miller’s Dockside Restaurant for Happy Hour and dinner. Sitting out on the deck, overlooking the marina, was relaxing and very enjoyable.
 
Returning to the campground, we were supposed to gather at the Clubhouse for a game of bingo. But, for some reason, we all seemed to gather out in front of Stoddard’s coach, where we spent the next three hours, laughing, talking and enjoying our favorite beverage. Even when it got a little cooler, and the mosquitoes began to move in, no one left. Some of the women just brought out blankets to cover up with. One, in particular (we won’t mention any names) with her blanket tucked in around her, looked just like Granny sitting in her wheelchair! Oh, and then there was Ted’s car horn sounding off disturbing all the neighbors. Somehow, the panic button on the remote in his pocket got pushed. And one of the women had the audacity to accuse him of playing pocket pool!!
All in all, Saturday afternoon and evening was probably one of the most enjoyable we have ever had with the Funtimers!
 
Sunday morning we had our usual continental breakfast, and then goodbye hugs, which, for some of us, would be our last until next November, when we return again from the North Country.
 
Our thanks go to our hosts, Bud, Paula and Phyllis, for arranging a most enjoyable weekend for us. It was one of the best!!
 
Don’t forget the State meeting at Lazydays Rally Park next month in Seffner. All information is available on the Winnie-Gator’s website.
 
Have a great happy, healthy summer!