Got in here at Pine Island yesterday afternoon after a frustrating drive through the VERY busy Naples.  Wanted to see the gardens and zoo there; but the only lot for buses and RVs was full.  Sorry to have missed it.  But was glad to get back on the highway heading north.  Since living in rural KY, my tolerance for congestion seems to have thinned considerably ...

So, after a long, but successful (with good help) attempt to back into my assigned site at the campground (no pull thrus here), I got settled in last evening.  The campground wifi won't be working until Tuesday; but my trusty little Virgin Mobile mifi device served very well, and let me watch some stuff I'd missed on PBS.

Today, part of the the plan was to see if my new "Dish Anywhere" service would let me watch the UK women's basketball game with LSU.  A little glitch here and there, but it actually worked and I was just delighted to be able to watch the game.  Happily, our girls won, after some pretty distressing losses....

Then I took off to explore Pine Island.  It's nothing like Marco Island, except there are many canals here as well.  The houses are much less grand than on Marco; but I like it -- a WHOLE lot less crowded -- indeed, not crowded at all -- and seems to mosey at an "Island Pace."  I stopped for some pictures at a place called "Woody's Waterside," where I was temporarily adopted by some bikers -- Doug, Joan, Steve, and Wendy.  There's a picture below -- actually, it's like 1 second film clip.

Then I went to the two southern points of the island.  The first was ok, a  little beach; the second was really terrific.  There were 4 or 5 dophins that started playing around just after I got there.  By the time I retrieved my phone, I got a (bad) picture or two and a bit of film.  Sorry about the film not being edited.  I have not figured out how to do this....

Went then to a really neat potter's studio and shop -- "The Potter's Workshop and Gallery."  The artist is Ingeborg.  We chatted a bit.  Lovely, lovely stuff
( www.the pottersworkshop.com ).  I hope to come back
with Jennifer and friends when we're settled in Ft. Myers after Tuesday.

Tomorrow, I plan to go to the north end of Pine Island.  Much further from the campground.  If no one hears from me in 48 hours, do send out a posse.

Pictures for you follow.