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Published: August 30th 2013
With Carol in Daytona Beach
Sharing....what else....Japanese food. Carol had tempura that was very good (she didn't share) but then she didn't want to try my eel.We left Josh on Monday morning and Jen had already headed off to work. We were off for a week of visiting friends from long ago and in some cases, far away.
First stop was Port Orange, outside of Daytona Beach. We were seeing Carol Lockwood, who was the HR Director in Iwakuni, Japan when we were there in 2000. We had fun and excitement working together and have stayed in touch ever since. We stayed at a great campground near her. After setting up camp, we headed to the pool for some relaxing swim and water aerobics and then cleaned up in the shower and felt totally refreshed. Although I was still towing a trailer with my motorscooter on it, Carol came and got us in the afternoon so we didn't have to unload it. After chatting about things to do, we settled on a Japanese restaurant she had heard of but hadn't tried. It was great!! Trish had a sushi plate but I had to try the unagi-don, barbecued eel on rice. Instead of in a bowl, it was on a plate with more eel than I ever got in Japan. And the salad had a homemade dressing.
Unagi-don buri (barbecued eel on rice)
Very different presentation, and much more eel than normal. Eel is thought to be good in hot months to replenish the oils lost through sweating. Whatever the reason, it is very tasty and a real treat. The chef had taken the usual ginger dressing and added some citrus and onion to spice it up. We all agreed it was very tasty.
Next day Carol picked us up late morning and first stop was lunch. We went to a place she had taken us before and had very authentic clam chowder and then Carol and I had fried oyster sandwiches (mine with onion rings) while Trish had a platter of steamed clams. Fully sated, we drove around Daytona and found an archeological site where the early natives had piled up oyster and clam shells. The midden was huge, actually the highest point in Daytona Beach (almost 50' high) and we hiked the grounds around there. Then it was off to look at the condo Carol had lived in earlier to see the changes and back to her home to relax and catch up. Finally we all were getting hungry (but not too bad) so we settled on a little Greek pizza spot she had heard was good, but hadn't tried, at least not in a long time. We took the pizza to the campground and sat outside at the picnic table with pizza, wine and beer.
Fried oysters with onion rings
Carol and I got the same (she had the fries). Trish gave me one steamed clam in exchange for 4 onion rings. Needed to go work off the calories. Really great time!! And the pizza is worth coming back for, or maybe the gyros....or subs....or Greek pasteries. Yep....we'll be back.
But it was getting late and with hugs and promises to visit again (and trying to get Carol to come to Alabama) we said goodbye. Some people are such good friends that we KNOW we will see her again and laugh and have a great time. She is a gem.
Wednesday we were up early and after 2 hours of driving, arrived in Fort Pierce, on the east coast. We headed south on US-1 to Port St. Lucie and found our campground. This was a visit to a high school friend, Vyki Evans Sabo, and her husband John. Vyki was the femme fatale at West Geauga. She was also smart, funny, and very talented in music. She was the lead in Our Town and the musical Good News and had the Jean Stapleton part in Bells Are Ringing. She was part of a group of us who inter-dated and hung out together. We would go to dances and parties with one another without (too often) getting possessive or jealous. I had not see her since graduating.....long ago.
Path to highest point in Daytona Beach
A midden, mound of shells left by First Nation inhabitants, created the highest point. We found it near Wilbur by the Sea. Ironically, this is near where Trish lived for a year while working as a nurse in the late 60's. She and her husband came and got us, took us to their lovely home, and we chatted, caught up (some) and shared pictures of family, trips and work. Vyki had written a musical version of A Christmas Carol (would love to see/hear that) and her husband has done wonders with theater in Connecticut (where they used to live) and now in Florida. Finally we realized we needed to eat so went out for dinner and talked more. Then it was back to the RV.
Next morning Vyki picked us up and took us on a tour of the area, out to the beach, and then back home. We fixed lunch and shared more pictures. Her husband had a class that afternoon, so was off to school, so Trish, Vyki and I went swimming in their pool. They have a lovely in-ground pool off the patio with a large screen covering over the patio and pool so no bugs or leaves get in. The water was warm and the pool deep so we relaxed, did some exercises and continued chatting. John came home as we were getting out and he had chops to grill for dinner. He cooked up
Beach preservation at Port St. Lucie
Vyki took us to the beach and we were impressed by the efforts being made to preserve the beach for future generations. This is a good start. chops on the grill, little potatoes and beans. Lovely meal and very tasty.
We were just finishing dinner when the door bell rang and in came Carmen Renaldy and his wife, Theresa. I knew they were in the area and Vyki had arranged for them to come visit. Carmen was the music teacher at West Geauga when I was a student and produced the first 3 musicals I was in. He also had the chorus and various musical groups, like a Barbershop Quartet (actually 8 of us). He was stern, funny, helpful, demanding, and highly respected by those students who got to work with him. After I graduated from college and went into teaching, my first job was at the junior high at West Geauga. Carmen asked me to help him with a musical and I worked with the dialogue on My Fair Lady. Later I directed the 10th anniversary of Bells Are Ringing (1st show at WG) and then we did Hello, Dolly. Carmen and I also were in a local community theater production of Bells. He went from my teacher to a mentor and friend. Most of what I did when I was teaching in NH and
Trish and Vyki in their pool
The large screen covering seems to be the norm in Florida. It's a great idea and really encourages the use of the outside area. doing shows, was based on what I learned from Carmen as student and co-worker. It was wonderful seeing both Carmen and Theresa and catching up.
All too soon the night was no longer young, and since none of us were either, we had to say good bye and head out. Hugs were given and received all around and then Carmen took Trish and me back to our RV. We hope to get down that way again and visit. I would love to be there and hear Carmen sing (magnificent voice) and see one of John's productions at the local college. We'll have to see; one thing we are pretty sure of....not in August! Dang it has been HOT!!
Next day we headed west on SR 70 to Venice, on the Gulf coast. Our goal was to reconnect with Carol Mueller, a fellow teacher from our days at Franklin, NH. We had a nice campsite near Carol's house and once in and set up, we called her and she and her partner, Judy, came and took us on a ride to see some of the area and then to a restaurant where Carol recommended the prime rib sandwich. Oh,
Growing by Vyki's pool
Vyki has lovely orchids and air plants growing under her screen and in the pool area. What a lovely sight to have as you are swimming, relaxing, or grilling on the patio. MY!! A huge piece of prime rib on bread with au jus on the side. Trish got "genuine" New England Lobster rolls--2 large hot dog (top split) buns filled with lobster meat, a piece of lettuce, and a hint of mayo. ALL lobster. So of course, we split and just loved it. It was almost enough to keep me quiet during the meal.
We went back to their house and started catching up on old times, where we had been, and who we still remembered and were in touch with. We told Carol that because she had told so many wonderful tales of her adventures in Australia for several years teaching, that we got the courage to apply for an overseas position. Carol had left teaching shortly after I did and opened her own restaurant, the Italian Moose, in northern NH. Lots of good Italian food and wine. And then she opened a couple of pizza/sub spots as well. We were sorry we didn't know and hadn't gotten back to try them.
The next day Carol and Judy were scheduled for a dolphin cruise, so we spent the day catching up: laundry, clean up in coach, and shopping.
Carmen Renaldy--Music teacher extraordinaire
Carmen and his wife came over and we had a great time sharing stories and remembering the good old days...when we were good and not so old. Actually, I took the motorscooter in to Venice to look around and found a farmer's market on the main square. I checked out several areas, including the beach and then stopped at a Publix to pick up the remaining food stuffs. Good thing!! It started raining that afternoon and went the rest of the day and into the night. Trish and I had planned to go to the beach and out for dinner, but not on a motorscooter.
Next day Carol and Judy picked us up and we had a late brunch and then toured parts of Venice. We saw some wonderful homes on a key, and then back to the house to share more pictures, memories and stories. Finally as it was getting into the evening, we all headed back to town for dinner and then back to the RV. We were leaving the next morning for a short trip up to Tampa area to look at RVs at Lazydays and spend the night at their campground.
It had been a wonderful week of memories with dear friends from long ago and far away. But as it is so often with true friends, years and distance don't
Carol Muller and menu for her restuarant
How sorry we were we never got to the "Italian Moose" in NH. I'm sure the food was fantastic, as we have eaten Carol's cooking numerous times and it is always super. matter; you pick up like you had never left and the friendship and warmth is there forever. Thanks to Carol Lockwood (Iwakuni), Vyki Evans Sabo and Carmen Renaldy (West Geauga High School) and Carol Mueller (Franklin, NH) for the great times, friendship and memories.
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Deborah Chamberlain
non-member comment
It's all about the food....lol!
I enjoy reading these little stories because it always gets back to the food. It is obvious that you both enjoy a diverse and adventurous repertoire of menu items. When you get out here I can think of at least 4 really unique places for a meal and a few unexpected little gems too. Keep on writing!!