Friday, July 28^th

Up at 7:30 and dressed.  We got packed and then went to breakfast (first good meal at base).  Back to the barracks where Emily lets us know the adults can’t get a ride to the Marathon airport to pick up their rental cars until 10 am.

The adults caught a ride with a boat crew going to Marathon to board the Calypso Gypsy and got dropped off at the airport, while the Scouts finished packing and goofed off around base.  (Naturally, Budget Rental Cars had it all wrong again, but after some effort, they were able to get us vehicles we could at least haul everything and everyone in).

Back at Sea Base, everyone loads up the vehicles, we check out and head north.  When we reach Key Largo, we stop at a “Miami Grill” that features hamburgers, fish & chips, gyros and has a Baskin Robbins inside … a little something for everyone.  After lunch, we drove to Homestead, FL, and checked into the Days Inn.  Shortly after we checked in, the Scouts were zoned out in front of the television.

Mrs. Brand shows up after an hour to take Blake and Paco back to Fort Lauderdale where they will continue on with the Brand Family Vacation.  Back at the Days Inn, the remaining crew plans how they’ll spend the next 24 hours and head for the pool and some play.  Chris rips his knee doing a cannonball and had to get out.

After driving around awhile, we settled on The Capri Fine Italian Dining for dinner and enjoyed their wonderful meals.  While the food was great, the cost was high and they wouldn’t give the Scouts a discount.  As we drove back to the motel, we decided to go bowling at the Homestead Bowling Center.  For the record, here’s the order of scores (scores will not be reported to protect them all from embarrassment).  First game: David, BA, Mr. Grimes, Mark, Chris.  Second game: David, Mr. Grimes, Mark, BA, Chris.  As usual the past three days, Mr. Luff was "big toe" challenged & couldn’t compete because of swelling.

NEXT: Day 12