Pensions and lobster shack

Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Hello blog!

It’s me, your author. Yes, I’ve been ignoring you for this week and I apologize.
I don’t want to turn you into a blog about my minor miseries….but now I’m back and in effect.

Yesterday was a lot of fun. Mom and Dad Eldridge popped by Port Canaveral for a visit and we had a ball. We went to visit our old vacation spot, “Outdoor Resorts, Melbourne Beach, Recreational Vehicle Resort.” I got such a kick out of seeing our favorite RV park, where we spent 3 spring breaks as kids. We drove through the resort (and I use that term loosely) and saw the pools, which look about the same as they did 25 years ago, the community center and the arcade. Then, we crossed the street to look at the beach with waves that get pulled us under and washed me ashore and finally saw the seven-eleven where we used to go for Slurpees and other beverages that would cool one down on a hot Florida day.

My dad wanted to go to the restaurant/bar at the Port Canaveral base, but I boycotted it. Instead, we headed to Cocoa Beach’s infamous Lobster Shack, and sat outside and watched some military maneuvers off-shore—something with a helicopter.

My dad stated, “I want to be somewhere, maybe outside, where we can sit and eat and watch the water.” The Lobster Shack was exactly what he described, plus they had a salad bar! Strangely, there was no lobster on the menu of the Lobster Shack, so I opted for rock shrimp, described in the menu as “The Poor Man’s Lobster.” It was quite tasty! My dad, who no longer orders a full meal, enjoyed the Rock Shrimp, too. His dining strategy is to eat a bite off of everyone’s plate. It actually works—the servings at American restaurants are always double what anyone actually eats, so he’ll just graze on the leftovers.

We had a great time comparing our lifestyles—they are retired and snow birding in Clearwater at a trailer park with their new Canadian friends, and I’m also snow birding in the Caribbean with my new Canadian friends on a cruise ship. They definitely drink more then me. We both do yoga and have little themed get-togethers at our friends’ trailers/cabins. We both play golf and we both go for walks and enjoy watching movies. We both eat early, taking advantage of the lighter crowds and early bird specials. We both worry about our family in the cold and are looking forward to visitors.