Grandson -Cation

 Back before the Little Man joined the band, we were privileged to take Full Squad trips. Joey started the Full Squad text group -- including Wifey, me, the Ds, and both sons in law. We had some fine times together -- NYC, Mohonk Mountain House, and Colombia. With the damned plague still about, there have been no Full Squad plus grandson trips. Until now.

Ocean Reef Club is an exclusive private resort at the Northern edge of Key Largo. Wifey and I visited one afternoon, with our friend Crazy Sheryl, who had been a member years before. Somehow she talked her way in, and we had lunch there. The place is amazing -- mostly very wealthy Midwestern types -- heads of industry types instead of Finance and entertainment types ubiquitous in the 305 of Miami Dade.

Well -- D1 is their dietitian -and so got us the ability to stay there. And so on Thursday, after leaving my nephew of another brother to house sit and watch FOUR dogs, we left for the resort. Alas, poor Jonathan had a late work call, and joined us afterwards.

D2 and Jonathan and Wifey and I got rooms at the Pompano Building -- lovely but not overstated large rooms. D1 and Joey treated themselves to a 2 bedroom condo -- about 1/2 mile away by the golf carts we used to get around.

We ate. A lot. We drank. A lot. There was pool time at the gorgeous Buccaneer Island -- drinking Miami Vices -- half pina coladas and half rum runners, with 151 floaters. Even Wifey partook in the drinking! We shared many laughs. 

There's a Fisherman's Village -- a tiny re-enactment of a New England town -- with restaurants, shops, and bars. We spent a lot of time there -- breakfast all 3 days for D1, Joey, the grandson, and me. The others slept in and had our leftovers.

They have a nature center -- and the Little Man loved it -- especially Olaf, the enormous Himalayan cat who is somewhat of a mascot.

He loved being held on the golf carts, as we glided past enormous yachts and gorgeous gold courses.

And -- since school was beginning -- the first days we essentially had the place to ourselves -- and even yesterday and today, it was very empty. The ice cream shop had line holder set for 100 people -- we were the only patrons. It was delightful.

One evening, we put the Little Man to sleep, and poured drinks and had delicious food delivered. D1 lit shabbos candles on Friday -- we said the prayers. We felt the Big Man had given us so much.

This am I checked out -- and paid the bill. Wifey gasped a bit when she saw the total -- you spend a lot when everything goes on a resort card, and you can't use cash or even a credit card. 

But I just smiled. I detest stuff. I savor experiences. And these three nights and 4 days created memories to be treasured -- with pictures to show the Little Man someday of his adorable self, wearing a ball cap like his Dad Joey -- and toddling around.

I had a delightful time, and never once crashed the golf cart.

We left, and decided to stop at Alabama Jacks on the way home. It was still hot. Little Man was cranky, so his parents plucked him out of the high chair and headed to the Turnpike. He napped well. D2, Wifey, Jonathan and I had some conch salad as our farewell to the Keys lunch.

We arrived home, and though I had told Josh keeping 3 of 4 dogs alive was a 75% and therefore passing grade, indeed all 4 were fine. We caught up with him -- he's off to D.C. later in the week to visit big brother Scott.

I'm still hoping the Plague subsides. Tomorrow am, I have my third jab. If supplies were short, I would skip, but since we live among a huge tribe of dumb ass vaccine resisters, I figure many doses will just go to waste, anyway. Might as well maximize my immunity.

In the mean time -- the vacation, like the Go Gos sang, was all we ever wanted. And that's a nice way to end the Summer.