A total of 2,927 miles...Key West, Miami Beach, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach (where I got promptly stuck attempting to park)...we got back three hours ago (6:30 a.m.) after doing an all-nighter of 891 miles.  Now...that's an adventure.

The charter party boat cancelled the night time shark fishing due to lack of goers and the young man said he was ready to come home.

I know I am not saying anything new to any grandparent, but on this trip it hit me just how much our sons and daughters entrust their children to us.  I am not Trey's "natural" grandfather, perhaps somewhat of an interloper, although I was around for his birth.

The thought of that trust came to me at the Daytona Speedway.  I was paying for six laps, 170 mph around the speedway with a pro driver for a ride-a-long for him.  

After filling out a lot of guardian forms, the clerk asked me how old he was.  I wanted so much to ask, "How old does he have to be?"  But, I didn't and it ended up he was just a few months shy of his 14th birthday and there would be no ride.  I was as pumped to watch him go as he was to do it.

I only hope now my health holds up for the next 2-7 years so I can do it with the rest of them. Seven more to go.   For all of you who are young, married and putting off having children, do your parents a favor....AND GET TO WORK ON IT...I'll send an instructional DVD.  Betsy and Becky...let's get to work on giving your Mother and me some more!

I am also prompted to add:  Floridians are very concerned about this oil spill.