When I called Ramon and Elena Gil, Ramon answered the phone and I started the conversation saying that I was going to Sarasota, Florida for two weeks. He laughingly commented, “Oh and you want us to go with you.” He was astounded when I said, “Yes, I actually do.” I was glad my son, Michael had weighed in on the idea of charging people at the last minute.

I was already considering what Mike pointed out. “You are asking people who don't know you that well to go at times you pick when they have the option of choosing who to go with and the time they wish to go .” So I decided to treat them to the price of rent. All they would have to do was pay for their air fare. When Ramon asked what the rental fee was, I told him it was none of his business.

Ramon and Elena decided to go from November 18th to the 24th. They insisted on paying for half the car rental for the entire two weeks plus treating me to some meals. There is always something I wish I would have brought with me but this time I fervently wished I could have left home without something and that was a pinched nerve.

About a week before my trip, I unwittingly decided to do some gardening. What a mistake! Pulling up dead weeds was my downfall. It almost ruined my entire vacation. As soon as I got to Florida I made an appointment with a chiropractor there who was recommended by a friend.

I went to him every weekday for the entire two weeks. That helped somewhat so I did get to go to the last day of the sand sculpture contest with my friends. The weather turned cold so I only swam in the pool once. I did manage to see “The Fence” which is North America's largest photo exhibit and travels to other cities.

While I was trying to recover from a number 10 in pain, my friends went to that exhibit a number of times but went out of their way to make sure I saw some of it on the way to the airport for their trip home. I also got to view alligators at Myakka River State Park (something I have done on previous trips.)

I got to experience my friends enjoyment of Siesta Key and surrounding areas vicariously but the most interesting story about them that I learned for the first time, I will tell about in my next column.