Elite Resorts at Citrus Valley 2/3 --> 2/10/2016

Finally, after eighteen days of travel, visiting 5 special friends in 3 cities, I've arrived, for the second year in a row, to an eagerly anticipated week with 3 more couples--each a transplant from New York. And what a delightful week it was: early morning coffee with Ray, dinners with Vicki/George (V/G), Kathy/Ray (K/R), and Trish/Craig (T/C). I couldn't have asked for a more all-inclusive itinerary that combined great cooking with long time friendships.

Site #46 was my home for the week.
$40K and it was mine; not including 
maintenance/month and other fees.

An aerial view of the resort area. The large complex dead
center of photo is a mall with Publix its anchor store. A bit
pricey, Publix is a shopping pleasure. Yes, you heard that from me.

I've been trying for two days to describe each encounter but my notes show too many to write about and keep the attention of the reader.  The transition from one to another blends them all into one pleasing and relaxing memory. Bottom line: it's great to have friends and to be able to spend time relaxing with them be it over dinner or sitting in the sun chatting in a circle.


Vicki & George:

  

Thursday, sushi at
Aji sushi teppan  in Winter
Garden, FL with V/G.

Shared, of course.

Beautiful creations like this always remind me
Alex and Sakura Garden back home.  Miss them.

      

A new look for VC/G at their home, #233.
Palm trees, shed, additional pavers, Croton
Plants all add to the new look seen by me
for the first time.

The new look from the right side of
their RV

Lucy tolerated my presence for dinner
each night I visited.
Thanks again, Vicki & Jorge

Vicki and me "shopping." Ugh

(shopping, not Vicki)

   

Kathy & Ray:

With V&G my only means of
transportation, a ride over to K&R's
for a chicken cordon bleu dinner.
Thanks again, Kathy & Ray

Saturday afternoon we traveled to Ft. Wilderness to visit friends of V/G and R/K. They're fellow members of the Hudson Highlanders, a motor coach group. It gave me a preview of my coming week at Ft. Wilderness in Disney, the subject of my next blog.  It was a very rainy, chilly day made more bearable with delicious snacks and a very special drink created by a special lady in the group, Roberta.

Coconut rum, grenadine, vodka, 

pineapple juice, orange juice, 

and a squeeze of lime. 

Add a fresh slice of orange 

and pineapple.

After our 'meet and greet,' my next special occasion was on tap. It was "boys night out." (Mama don't do sushi).  Ray, Kevin, and I dined at Robata's Steakhouse

Can you see little Kevin in front of Marybeth (left, white sweater)
whom she babysat.  Saw him for the first time in many years
when he drove up from the Tampa area to visit mom and dad this weekend.

Ray and I did the math: we've known
each other for 49 years and here he is
with his 36 year old son.

Kevin, Ray, and I enjoyed a night out
at Robata Steakhouse in Clermont

More thanks to Ray for taking the time to drive over to the campground resort to join me each morning for a hot cup of coffee.  Unfortunately, the entire week we had to have it indoors.

Trish & Craig:

Friday night, the gang was treated to a delicious dinner at the home of Trish and Craig who live in Celebration.

Celebration, FL, a most beautiful city

Craig, ACR, Tricia

Celebration exists because of DisneyLand.
Photo was taken for my Disney addicted
cousins, David and Cheri with whom
I'll be camping next week.

 

L to R: ACR, Kathy, Vicki, George, Trish, Ray
Another opportunity to state the obvious: "Good food, good wine,  and good company."
Thanks again, Trish & CJ

  

Trish & Craig

Kathy's Raspberry Shortcake

  

Kathy & Ray

George (a.k.a. Jorge) & Vicki

Before

Baked

Lest the reader think all I do is answer the invitation by friends to join them for a great meal, rest assured--- I do.

My crowning achievement at this site was my eggplant parmigiana baked  in the convection/micro-

wave oven and enjoyed by no one but me...one meal at a time.

  Accomplishments:

• With Ray's help, I repaired a damaged "mishap" with the rear slide/queen sized bed.
• With George's help, a loose dangling cable over the generator exhaust was zip-tied.
• Enjoyed comfort food like meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn (Vicki), chicken cordon bleu, zucchini patties, string beans w/roasted walnuts, glazed carrots, and corn bread (Kathy), and BBQ steak, roasted asparagus, and roasted potatoes (Trish), sushi (VC/G), and sushi (Ray/Kevin). Each and every meal accompanied by a wonderful Chardonnay.
• Washed Winnie and windows inside and out.
• Got a preview of what Fort Wilderness at Disneyland was going to be like and got to meet more acquaintances (Mike, Chris, Jack, Doreen, Roberta, et al.)
• Found beaded purses as requested by sister, Judy.

  

In closing, although I've been gone from Elite RV Resort for five days, it is Valentines Day. I was able to send my e-cards to all the ladies in my address book and pleased at how many I know and consider friends. As mentioned numerous times in these blogs, I am very fortunate having the family, friends, and acquaintances I have. And because it's wine o'clock somewhere, I close this blog with a toast: Stay happy, stay healthy, and keep in touch with family and friends.
I'll see you in Fort Wilderness in Disney.