Off to Naples, Fl

Can't believe so far behind on updating what's going on...... But last Friday we headed down to Naples, Florida for the Collier County Sweetbay Senior Games. Rich had to check in at 8:00 am on Saturday morning, so rather than drive the 2 hours plus in the morning, we decided to head down the day before. Got an excellent room at the Quality Inn and Suites about 15 minutes from the courts. They had a complimentary breakfast in the morning so we could grab a coffee and something quick without stopping on the way.

We made a few stops on the way and arrived about 3:30. We drove over to the courts to make sure we could find our way in the morning. We checked out the hotel a bit. Great pool - but WAY to cold to enjoy. Also had a great TIKI type bar set up near the pool, but we elected to go to the indoor lounge and have a drink before dinner. Checked out the menu for the night, and with the recommendation from the bartender headed out for a Mexican Restaurant.

There were so many little Mexican restaurants in the same area, and we could not remember the name he told us........and none of them looked like any place we wanted to go, so..........we continued on up the road about 4 or 5 miles and found just what we were looking for.

The food was more of an authentic Mexican than the normal "tex mex" style. Very good. AND we were even serenaded during our meal.

Later in the evening, Mother Nature decided to put a damper on things. The weather turned very cold, the wind was blustery and it RAINED. And the next morning it was still very nippy and windy and the rain delayed the start of the games better than two hours.

Click on any of the pictures below to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page

Above Buddy and Roger take to the courts for the men's doubles. These two were on fire!!! They flew through the winner's bracket, not losing a game, best two out of three games. In the medal match it got a little scary, as they lost two games straight to the team that came up from the consolation bracket. That meant one more match two out of three for the Gold. And they were great. They took the GOLD Medal in their age division.

Rich and his partner Gary Shinderle from Highlands Ridge in Avon Park played some great pickleball too. They had some pretty good competition and two of their matches went to three games. But they won all their matches in the Winners Bracket and took the Gold Medal in the final match winning both games.

And above - friends Louann and Nadine from Kings Point partnered together and finished with their Gold Medal. Linda Kramer (Rich's mixed doubles partner) teamed up with Kathy Miller from Solavita and they went undefeated to take home the GOLD.

Despite the delay the games were over just after 5:30 in the afternoon.

Where to go for dinner was next on the agenda.... and Jim Thomas from the Collier Parks and Rec who had donned an apron for the day and cooked hot dogs on the grill for all the players and spectators...recommended that we go to the "best place to

eat in Naples"

"

Don't be intimidated by the looks of the building on the outside. Cracklin Jacks serves Southern Everglades style food including gator tail and frogs legs. Very laid back and has a watering trough full of iced beer as you walk in the front door. A roll of paper towels on each table. We both opted for the Andouille Sausage with sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic. You only order your entre and with it come all the "vittles". Vittles are served family style and include coleslaw, stewed tomatoes, baked beans, white beans, collard greens, mashed potatos and brown and white gravy......So your table is overflowing with FOOD!!! The food was very good, the atmosphere was friendly .....a little pricy and we really didn't need (or eat) all those "vittles.