Grandson Visits us in Ft Myers for a week

This photo was taken by Jr
in Key Largo
on his phone camera.

Jason Mark Hill Jr. Visits Grandma and Grandpa in Ft. Myers

Leading up to Christmas, we had a preplanned a visit from our Grandson, Jason Mark Hill Jr.  What an event!
We made plans with Jr's parents for him to make the trip. That would include taking three days off from school in Traverse City (he is a good student).  Our daughter Kourtney was instrumental in getting the details worked out.

Here is how Jr got to Ft Myers.:
December 16:
Jr's dad would drive him to Big Rapids, where Kourtney would pick him up and drive to Grand Ledge 195 miles.
December 17:
Kourtney would take Jr to the Detroit Metro Airport for a noon non-stop flight to Ft Myers
We would pick him up and bring him to the boat in Legacy Harbour Ft Myers.

Jr arrives in Ft Myers, Tired?

It was a long day for Jr. but he was glad to be in the sun of Florida.

Waiting for Uncle Robin to
rig the poles

Eating some chips, and
Checking things out.

Another fish story....
Big fish on, then off.

We witnessed an incredible,
 three dolphin show.

Waiting for the big one

Where is the drag again?

Fishing near an inlet, with the birds

December 18:
My brother Robin offered to take us fishing in last fall, and we gladly accepted his offer.
We (including Vicki) met Robin in the Bonita Springs area to board Robins fishing boat.  Robin brought all the poles, tackle, and shrimp bait.  We proceeded to fish the Bonita area, and the lower Ft Myers Beach area.
Jason had the first bite and he had a fish on!!!  It was a serious strike, and I thought he would loose his pole as it was bending almost 180 degrees, and was fighting good.  Robin got serious and we did everything to help him land the fish.........Alas, the fish dropped off.  Robin inspected the leader and surmised that it was a decent sized Snook due to the frayed leader and the fight the fish displayed.  WOW, that was fun.  will there be more for Jr.?......  No that was his only serious 'catch' of the day.  he had many bites, and even some hooked for a brief time but that was it for Jr.  That Day Robin caught a few Sheepshead and I caught one.  A few other fish were caught as well. All of us had several bites, before things died off.  It was a superb day out on the water, with the weather perfect for fishing.  While fishing, we witnessed an awesome three dolphin show, spectacular  nature in action.

Fun

Vicki, Jr, Dave, Michele, and Me at
Ft Myers Beach

Highlight of the day if not the trip, Gpa and Jr

December 19:
We planned to go the Ft Myers Beach.  We asked Just Us to join us, and we all went and had a great time.  The sun and winds were perfect.  Jr was wanting to ride a 'Jet Ski'. So I rented one for an hour. Jr drove it for the entire hour, and we had a blast on the calm waters.

Our view at Germain Arean

Stupid "selfie" Grandpa and Jr.
Jr wanted NOTHING
to do with this photo.

Later that evening Jr and I went to a ECHL Everblades Hockey game.  It was a great night of action packed hockey.  It was fun to have someone enjoy a hockey game with me, and Jr felt the same as I did.  Of note: Travis Olouette (sp), whom I watched play hockey at Ferris State University for the past four years, played for the visiting Gwinnett Gladiators who player against the Florida Everblades.  Travis played well.

Nice pic of Jr

December 20:
We woke up early and we drove from Ft Myers to Key Largo to go snorkeling.  Vicki, Jr, and I went to John Pennekamp State Park. We boarded a boat that took us us out 8 miles to Grecian Reef to snorkel for 1.5 hours.  We had an awesome time, Jr took to snorkeling like a....fish.  He did a great job, and circled the entire reef, and then repeated the major areas, and we saw some awesome fish, including a 5-6 foot Barracuda, Angels, Stripe bass, Parrot, Sg Majors, etc.

We saw three Alligators
during our ride!

December 21:
After sleeping in Key Largo, we proceeded to go to the mainland for a Air Boat ride.  An air boat is a shallow draft aluminum boat with a car engine and propeller which then propels the occupants over the water and grasses.  We were in the Everglades National Park and it was fun.  We saw three wild alligators.  This was an ecological tour, so we had many stops that the guide would then explain aspects of the natural system of the everglades.  What a great time.  Pure fun.  CLICK FOR VIDEO

Styling, Everglades hat matches
TC west Tee shirt,
matches Ron Jon board swimsuit.
Dude!!

Jr. with Charlie

Grandma, Charlie, and Jr at
friends Todd and Paula's pool
in Cape Coral

Our 2014 Christmas Tree
With three presents underneath.

Jr. Doing some RnR

Jr. earned his Official:
Blue Willow CREW Tee shirt

Vicki opening her
Christmas Presents.

Do you think he likes his
Ron Jon Swag?

December 22:
We planned a RnR day, but we were actually pretty busy.  We went to a highly desired and awaited Ron Jon Surf Shop shopping trip, Christmas shopping downtown Ft Myers, swam at the marina pool, visited Looper friends who live in Cape Coral (more pool time), we then had a 'Mini Christmas' where we exchanged small gifts.

Ready to board the plane.
(he sure looks big to me)
Awesome week!!!!

December 23
The 23rd, was Jrs last day with us.  We had a lot to do to clean things up, so we did work around the boat, and Jr tried to do some school work.  We had lunch, and then departed for the airport. The return logistics were similar to the arrival schedule.

What a great time.  What a superb time.  This is the most time I have had with Jr since hockey camp days.  Jr. is a great kid we are so proud of him.

Some how, some way we want all the grandkids to join us for a leg on the Great Loop.  We are thinking about when and where this may occur.


A BIG Thank-you to Jr's parents and Kourtney for making this trip possible.


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