Ok, you've all made sandcastles, but I bet you've not made 'em like this: 

http://www.billsellsfortmyersbeach.com/Sand_Castles/page_1264294.html

Well, of course we (and most especially Dick) wanted to go see them.  Keep in mind, they were in Fort Myers, which is almost 2 hours south of us.  That was ok, tho, 'cuz Sunny needed a haircut and we (I) figured she could just spend the day at the salon, while we went to the contest.  Soooooo, we pack her up (nope, no food o meds, just her & her little fuzzy butt) and ride about 30 minutes down the street to Lucky Dog Salon & Day Care.  Get her all set up (yep, forgot her shot record, but they took her anyway, thank Goodness), and head on out toward Ft Myers.  We didn't know the town only has 2 major roads thru it, and worse, only ONE on the island (yep, one way in, one way out).  And who the HECK invited all THESE people???  Oh, I've gotten ahead of myself.  We missed the shuttle parking lot entrance (and how would one know that Summerlin Square Drive is the same as Summerlin Drive?) and couldn't find a good place to turn around before we were at the bridge to the island.  Being so close, I suggested we might as well just keep on going, maybe we could find a parking spot there, instead of waiting for the shuttle bus.  Y'all remember we drive a big-butt truck????  Ok, so we found a spot at the end of the island & wedged ourselves in an paid $3 for 3 hours.  Started walking to the beach, found a sign proclaiming "Ft Myers Sandcastle Contest" but without any directions or indications where it was. (NOOOOO, I did *NOT* do the research - Dick did, and NOOO, he did *NOT* look for specifics!!)  So, we're walking along the edge of the water, not too warm, but calm.  Nice, sugary white sand, very warm but not hot on the tootsies.  However, no sign of any sandcastle, except for one a little boy was making.  After about a hundred yards or so, we asked a dolphin-tour operator to point us in the right direction.  "See that white tent way down there?" he said, pointing to a small white tent waaaaaaaaaaydown yonder.  Five miles, he says.  Geez, that's *not* what we'd planned on.  Five miles would take us a hour or so, EACH WAY.  Of course, that's assuming that I can still WALK five miles.  EACH WAY.  So, executives that we are, we decide to sit down and wait for the free trolley.  FORTY MINUTES later, a trolley drives by.  You'll notice I said, DRIVES BY.  FULL.  So, another decision is made, and we head back to the truck.  We've decided that we'll just drive down to the little white tent, look around a bit & drive back to get puppy.

While we're getting in the truck, I notice a looooooong line of cars coming onto the island, and backed up over the bridge onto the mainland.  On the one road in & out.  Thinking about it some more, we decided that IF we were to get in line and travel 5 miles down to the tent, how likely would it be that we could get a parking spot.  Remember, all those cars were going the same place we were.  Remember, big-butt truck.  So, again, plans are made to change....and we decide we'll just head over to Sanibel Island, where we've heard the beaches are also sugar white and the shelling is grand.  And, with a little luck, all the residents are coming over to Ft Myers beach for the sandcastle contest, so the island will be deserted.  At least somewhat. 

So, as we were driving off the island, I started figuring up our remaining time.  And then I remembered that the toll to Sanibel was $7.  Remember, we've already thrown away $3 for parking...  and I mention to Dick that there's that pesky toll, plus by the time we get there, it'll be time to leave and go get the doggie.  Well, that was about all the poor fella could take.  All he wanted to do was go see some professionally built sandcastles.  Guess it just wasn't in the cards.  So, that explains how & why we travelled 2 hours to go yard sale-ing.  And please don't mention sandcastles to Dick — it's a sore subject.  But, oh yes, we did get puppy, with 20 minutes to spare.  And another $40 for the groomer fee.  I call it our contribution to the local economy. 

We heard from our road-warrior friends tonight (Di & Jack), and we're glad they had a good trip, but we're also glad they're back safe & sound. 

Well, tomorrow is a work day (for only having two each week, they sure do come around frequently!!), so I guess I'd better sign off & go to bed.  Y'all take care & travel safe.  May those of you employed stay that way, and those of you looking find your dream job soon!