Naples Florida - Aug 2017 - My Annual Southern Pilgrimage Begins – Chapter 1

As has been for the past three years, in August I house/pet sit in Naples Florida for a couple weeks, return to my home, repack, and make my way to Vieques Puerto Rico.  This year is no different.

Arriving late in the evening, I joined Jim and Cynthia for dinner.  We renewed our friendship, and enjoyed reminiscing our significant events of the past year.  While much had changed in our lives, many things remained the same, and we shared most of it.

So without further adduce, let’s GO!!!

Places in and around Naples that I've visited over the past few years

Tuesday Traveler - Florida Lighthouse Tour – Chapter 1 – Lights of the Panhandle

In planning my drive to a house/pet sitting assignment in Pass Christian Mississippi (MS), I decided to start a tour of the Florida lighthouses.

Mapping the locations of the lights, I discovered the FL panhandle had a total of five with one more in the junction of the bend between the FL peninsula and panhandle.  With the close proximity of five lighthouse, and estimating how long I would explore each light and travel time, I choose to visit the five lighthouses in this post on my way there and have plans to visit another one on the way home.

So without further adduce, let’s go.

Green markers - have not seen  -----  Red markers - have seen

HOUSE/PET SITTING in RETROSPECT - NAPLES FLORIDA – September 2016

Recently I completed another house/pet sitting assignment in Naples Florida for Jim and Cynthia, clients turned friends.  This is the third or fourth time I’ve cared for their pets and home, yet it was like visiting Napes for the first time.  Yes, I ‘revisited’ a couple places, but with so much to do in the area, there was are also many new places to explore.

 

FLORIDA - Lighthouse Point - 2015 - House Sitting - Chapter 2 - The Middle & End

Another week has past us by and with it, my Lighthouse Point Florida house sitting assignment has come to an end.  Plans have already been made for my return in late January 2016 to once again be the fill-in cuddlier and care giver for Chaussette, the very vocal cat.

But no worries, I didn’t just sit around the house last week.  The weather was good, so I took in a couple walks. 

FLORIDA - Lighthouse Point - 2015 - House Sitting - Chapter 1 - A Journey Begins

A new house/pet sitting assignment has begun.  The homeowners, Liz and Guido were referred to me by my first ‘official’ house/pet sitting clients, Patricia and Kevin; thank-you.

 

PUERTO RICO - Vieques - 2015 - House Sitting - Chapter 7 - Baby chicks and an eclipse

Well it's been a fairly eventful week with exploring, welcoming seven chicks, and seeing the blood moon.  So, let's get started...

PUERTO RICO - Vieques - 2015 - House Sitting - Chapter 6 - Another week of island life

Well another week has gone by.  The weather has been great for the most part with a few rain showers popping up now and then.  Yes, they do kinda slow things down, but 'mon, don't you worry bout it, it's island life'.

I went to a few more beaches, harvested and shelled a few more coconuts, gathered eggs, swatted mosquitoes, and got a job.  Can you believe that, somebody actually offered me and I accepted a job.

PUERTO RICO - Vieques - 2015 - House Sitting - Chapter 5 - A little about Vieques

Realizing this is my second trip here and I haven't really told you about Vieques.  In this posting, along with my current stay, you'll get some of the islands stats, not much though.

PUERTO RICO - Vieques - 2015 - House Sitting - Chapter 4 - TS Erika Comes and Goes

 So Tropical Storm Erika did intensify and wreaked havoc on the island of Dominica causing several deaths due to flooding.  Thankfully, it weakened as she made her way north.

Here of Vieques, we had winds around 50 mph and a few inches of rain.  With the extent of the drought here, more rain would have been nice.  The island didn't sustain major damage and about the only inconvenience we had was a power outage that lasted several hours.  It went out about 2030 hrs and came back on around 0600 hrs.  

 

GUATEMALA - Tips and Reviews - UPDATED June 2015

GETTING THERE

Getting to La Aurora International Airport,Guatemala City (GUA) is relatively easy to do from most major airports.

Upon arrival you will have to process through Customs and Immigrations.  Information regarding travel to and from Guatemala can be found at the US Department of State, US Passports and International Travel page.

My entry and exit through GUA was uneventful.