Dinner With Friends

We finally had the opportunity to get together with Cliff and Carlene Freeman. We had met up with the two of them briefly down in Peace River and had planned on getting together. Between prior commitments and the cold rainy weather we never seemed to make it happen. They arrived at TT Orlando on Wednesday, and gave us a call on Thursday. Our schedule was to pull out of Orlando on Saturday and the forecast for rain was 100% on Friday which meant we needed to get this packed up and ready to go early. We called them back and made plans to get together for dinner on Friday evening. They picked us up just about 5:00 pm and we headed north on 27. No one wanted to make a decision on where we were going to eat - but I knew they both liked Chilis.....so Chilis it was.

Here's Cliff and Carlene and Rich as we arrived at Chilis. It was still raining - but just a sprinkle. It was still cold, as you can see by the long pants and jackets.

Rich and Cliff went for the Jalepeno Burger, Me- just the regular burger, and Carlene opted for the Ribs. Marguarita were two for one..so we all said YES and toasted to "good friends". Cliff and Carlene and Rich and I all grew up in the Elmira area in upstate New York. Rich and Carlene were friends in highschool and graduated from Southside Highschool the same year. Cliff and Carlene were highschool sweethearts although did not attend the same school. Cliff went to EFA (Elmira Free Academy) Me- well I'm a Notre Dame graduate and didn't know any of them...............until one day two years ago when we met unexpectadly in Peace River in Wauchula, Florida. We visited with them briefly last year in Wauchula and have tried to stay in touch. Carlene, more than the rest of us had kept in touch with high school friends, so brough us all up-to-date. We (especially Carlene and Rich) talked about all the great times and friends they shared back in the 60's. We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time with them and get to know about them and their family. Such a great couple; the company and conversation were a perfect way for us to spend our last night at TT-Orlando.

But the evening would not be complete without dessert. Carlene ordered this chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and caramel syrup with four spoons for all of us to share. Delicious!!! We cleared the plate.

It was a wonderfully enjoyable evening and we could have sat there and talked even longer ..... but more customers were waiting for our table. Thanks Cliff and Carlene for a great evening. We'll do this again when we see you back in Peace River.