Sunday, February 16, 2014

Escape to Naples

Sojourn in the Sub-Tropics
Last week it was off to the Gulf Coast of Florida, for a brief stay with my sister, Susan, and her husband, Rick, in Naples, Florida. We were extremely lucky to fly between the snow flakes, just missing two storms. It was totally delightful in Naples, with sunny 70 and 80 degree weather.
I met this man at Vanderbilt Villas, where
my sister is staying. 
He kept following me around and trying to
talk to me. He wanted to tell me about his 4 degrees.
It's all pink there.
I walked to the beach each morning. 
So tranquil and beautiful.
I saw dolphins.
Susan rides her Trek bike sometimes 14 miles a day.
 The vegetation is lush.

 We had tea at Brambles in Old Naples.

Strawberry rhubarb pie.
Susan volunteers at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp
Sanctuary, a 14,000 acre wildlife refuge.
She leads second-graders on
"The Great Insect Adventure."
 We shopped at Lilly Pulitzer
in Old Naples.
 Love this coral and blue tunic.
 Ladies and their daughters in Palm Beach
in their Lilly Pulitzer shifts.
Photo from "A Privileged Life" by Susanna Salk
 I have always been intrigued by the
Lilly Pulitzer look,
but when I got up close,
it held less appeal.
Maybe it was the price tags.
 My preferred mode of travel:
Orange-sherbet colored bikes with white walls.
 Cakes for the Florida ladies.
 Deluxe things for privileged children.

 A preppy shop.
I wanted to love it ...
but I guess I'm too much of a New York girl.
 We dined at chic restaurants.

 Susan and Rick at the Cote d'Azur,
a dining treat from our sister, Jeanne, and her husband, Chris.
The food was delicious.
The best meal in Naples.
 We saw cattle egrets in parking lots.
 I found Lilly in the
Diva Fashionista Resale shop.
 I escaped unscathed, purchase wise.
All for the best as I would have been
awash in a sea of pink coral.
 These darling espadrilles once
graced the tiny foot of a 
debutante, no doubt.
406 Willet Avenue
Home of Sam and Mary
This is the house in Naples that my parents, Sam and Mary Markel,
purchased in the 70s.
It's a duplex, and their best friends purchased the adjoining
apartment. It gives on to a canal in the back,
and they also put in a pool.
The current owners have repainted, but have not turned
it into a McMansion like other houses on the block.
 Happy Times.
Mary, my niece, Sarah Wedge, and Sam
sitting by the canal.
 Sam dressed for golf in Naples.
No one could accuse Sam of disappearing into the crowd.
 Sam in his white, linen suit
doing his best Rat Pack imitation.
He's Frank.
Sam with his beloved Excalibur.
Happy Valentine's Day
 to you all!
(P.S. I finally let this roué take
me to dinner.)

À Bientôt!

Don't forget ....
 my Hat Shop in a Box,
 is this Saturday and Sunday
from 1 to 5.
Email me for directions.



3 comments:

  1. What a joyful and colorful and loveful post this is! :-)

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  2. Oh I do love your journey, wonderful :) admiring from here West Sussex, England!

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  3. Belated Valentine's Day greetings to a gorgeous couple. Lovely vacation photos!

    ReplyDelete