Day 14, Crowd At The Beach

We decided to go to the beach again, but this time being Saturday, it was crowded. Children running around, people everywhere. Ash didn't really enjoy herself, but I tried to have fun. I finally got the boogie board to work and I played the heck out of it. It was tough navigating around the small children, at some point a VERY OBNOXIOUS hispanic family parked their chairs and tents directly behind ours. They did all but tell us to leave. They were loud, didn't care if they kicked sand onto us, talked with their mouths full of food. After a short while we left. We returned to the house and I almost immediately fell asleep on the couch. Ash went to pick us up some lunch from Jose's Real Cuban Food, but I was too tired to eat. All the sleep I lost watching the dogs over the last two weeks had finally caught up with me. So we just relaxed the day and watched The Last Airbender on Nicktoons. It's a really good show. I can't wait to see the movie.

Day 9, Fajitas

We decided to go to the beach, but in order to see what the dogs do on their own we set up a doggie cam. We then spent some time at the beach, relaxing and swimming. Ash played with a new boogie board she bought and I swam around scaring her. After a couple hours of beach time we returned to find probably the funniest thing ever. One of the dogs had a basket around her head. Once we stopped laughing we helped her out of the basket and again cleaned up the mess, we began to prepare to make fajitas. It took a while but it was well worth it.
I made tequilla marinated steak with chicken. We also had refried beans, lettuce, tomato and cheese. I made salsa with tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, and jalapeno; pico de gallo; and guacamole (it was my first time making it, but it turned out great!) Everything was so yummy! and we had enough for leftovers.

Day 7, Sarasota Again

Saturday morning was spent watching cartoons, eating leftover pizza and chilling with the Prima Dogas. For the afternoon, We decided to return to Saint Armand's Circle in Sarasota. After making sure the dogs had gone potty before we left, we set out. We arrived at the circle and proceded to walk around. This time we went inside stores. One was a gallery and displayed paintings and glass sculptures. We also went into a store filled with characature paintins and shirts. Ash needed a new swimsuit, so we spent a lot of time in a beachwear store. I got a straw fedora. The afternoon just whittled away. We walked, sat, ate Gelato, we didn't eat lunch.
Upon returning to the house we found paper towels strewn ove the whole house. But it wasn't so bad. That night Ashley and I had Turkey with potatoes, green beans and brown rice. Yum. As we ate we watched The Producers, and Ash told me that tomorrow we were going to the Pier. I couldn't wait.

Day 5, A Day At The Beach

We were rudely awakened early in the morning by barking dogs. Now that their owners were gone, Ash and I were responsible for feeding a taking the dogs to do their business. And fortunately (or unfortunately) Tony and Reba had gotten the dogs used to a schedule. They are fed and go potty around 7 in the morning, and again around 6 at night. They also need to be taken out every so often to piddle. So Ash and I did our duty, we had leftovers for lunch and we decided to go to the beach that afternoon.
The beach wasn't far away. But I didn't have any sun lotion, and I wasn't going to use Ash's. See, I am trying to get a tan, Ash is not. Once we were ready, we drove out to the beach.
The sun was out, the waves were gently crashing against the white sand beach. There weren't many people the on the beach at 2. We set up beach chairs and headed straight for the water.
"It's COLD!" Ashley exclaimed as she dipped her toes in the incoming surf. She wouldn't go in, but I dove head first into the waves and swam out about 45-50 yards and back. It was a very gradual slope. Even that far out I could stand with my shoulders above the water. At the time, I didn't notice, but the tide was receding. Eventually I convinced Ash to go out into the water. At first she wouldn't let go of my arm. After a few minutes splashing around she began to swim like a fish and didn't need my arm any longer. We swam around for a while as the tide gradually lowered. We took a break out on the beach and Ash proceded to bury my legs in sand with a maniacal laugh. That laugh continued as she realized the sand was sticking to my leg hair. After some sunbathing, We got back into the water and swam around for a bit longer. It was fun; even with the salt water crashing into ou eyes and mouths.
We eventually had our fill of the beach and returned to the house. I suppose we were a bit naive, but truthfully we hadn't even thought about it. Mainly because we had no reason to think about it. We had left the dogs alone for around 2 hours - which Tony had said was fine, In fact he said they could be left alone for 4-5 hours without problems, which means he had to have done that before. My guess is NO HE HEAS NOT. Nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to see.
Upon returning to the house we saw both dogs sitting at the front door. Upon further investigation we discovered that they had destroyed a bag of dog treats, a bunch of bananas, and papers strewn all over the place. Towels were everywhere as well. After cleaning the mess, we decided to get groceries so that I could cook dinner. Again we were gone over an hour - more stuff was destroyed while we were gone. Again we had to clean up,
I made chicken with the seasonings we got from the Spice shop served on top of fetuccini in my homemade Alfredo sauce, and Ash made a delicious salad.
We were sure that the younger more rambunxious dog was responsible for the mess, until the older one barfed up banana. Aha, the evidence. Now we know they both made the mess. We weathered our first day alone with the dogs, but we still weren't prepared for what they had in store for us.

Day 4, The Long Bridge To The Goodbye, Slow Roasted

Again, Ash and I slept a little late, but it was ok. Tony had already done what he needed to do that morning, and Reba was at her meeting. She's a Certified Public Accountant. That afternoon, Tony drove the car and we picked up Reba from her office. From there we made the LONG trip to Tampa International Airport. And I do mean long. On the way I noticed that there is NO space between the towns and cities apart from bodies of water. If you're not careful, you'll go right into a different city without realizing it. Even the signs are confusing - many named after the county rather than the town. I've never seen so many Manatee based businesses. We're in Manatee county, of course. But Seriously.
Eventually we came to the Sunshine Skyway Toll Bridge south of Saint Petersburg. It's cool looking and costs a dollar to cross - each time you cross. The trip, while long, was rather uneventful. But we were unrealistically rushed, by Tony and Reba, who's flight wasn't going to leave for another four or so hours. They did have to retrieve another passenger, their great niece Kimberly. And they each only had one bag. Once you figure out what their rush was, please tell me. We arrived at the airport around 2-2:30; again, their flight was leaving in a little over four hours. It took a grand total of 15 seconds to unload the vehicle. But I did get to drive back from the airport. It was cool, one of those cars that has a push button ignition rather than a key.
Well, since Ash and I had slept late, we hadn't eaten at all, and we were starving. Ash decided that we should eat at this little Cuban restaurant that she ate at the last time she was in Cortez. It took about an hour to get back into the Cortez area, it wasn't difficult, but we did have to cross the Sunshine Skyway again.
In Cortez/Bradenton there is an amazing little dive. It is a small place just on the side of the road, and It is not hard to pass by it. But if you happen to look to the side of Cortez Road you may see it - Jose's Real Cuban Food. Walking into the small yet cozy establishment, we were immediately warmly greeted by the own-operator himself, Jose. The first thing we noticed was the decor. The walls were adorned with photos of Jose and happy customers, as well as different places he's been, and clippings of reviews he's received - most of which are 5-stars. And no wonder. Apart from the prompt, and warm service, Jose moved about the place talking with us and the other customers. He was very open and warm. The more we talked the more we learned about Jose. He's Cuban-born, but immigrated to the US when he was a child and was raised in Miami. He learned to cook his Real Cuban Food from his mother, who actually makes the Flan he serves at his restaurant, and he loves America. You won't find a more patriotic man around. He even showed us a roll of toilet paper he had on a mantle with other nick-knacks - each piece adorned with the face of Fidel Castro.
Upon sitting at the table, Jose presented us with a free sample of the day's special - Slow Roasted Pulled Pork. The instant the meat hit my tongue, my mouth was full of the most savoury pork I had ever tasted. After a few minutes perusing the menu, Ashley and I made our choices. Ashley had Lechon Asado - which is that slow-roasted pork with black beans and rice topped with grilled plantains. I had Bistek de Palomilla - Thin steak covered in onions served with black beans and rice and topped with yucca. All very delicioso! After eating, we sat and talked with Jose for almost thirty minutes where he told us about his time here. Surprisingly, Jose's has only been open for three years, and has become very successful and highly rated. Before we left, Jose also gave us a slice of his mother's homemade Flan. The food was some of the best I had ever eaten. Real Cuban Food had real cuban flavor. It was savoury and full of flavor. But the Flan was definitely the icing on the cake. It was the best flan ever. All things considered, if I were to rate Jose's Real Cuban Food, I would rate them six out of five. Not only is the food amazing and traditional, but the atmosphere of the establishment and the warm hospitality and friendly nature of the owner. With our bellies full and with a hearty handshake and a smile we left Jose's.
Whenever in the Bradenton area, seek out Jose's for delicious food, friendly service, and tales abounding. Trust me, your stomach will thank you.