Greetings everyone, we haven't forgotten you but its been very nice to sit back read and vegetate for a few days. Once Marge decided that was over..... we have done quite a number of things.....washing and waxing the motorhome from top to bottom and generally cleaning house. I even scrubbed the roof!
Scrubbing the roof
We also spent a nice day at Bahia Honda State Park walking the beach and no I did not drop my camera on purpose this time. I am very happy with this camera!
Western view of Bahia Honda Parks beautiful beach.
Private ship anchored off the campground at Bahia Honda State Park
After visiting this park and Long Key Park we have tried hard to get reservations for a period of time next year. The proceedure is that you reserve 11 months to the date ahead of time starting at exactly 8:00 AM in the morning. The problem is there are only a few openings each day and the phone line is busy. We tried all week to get through but were not successful at all. We finally just made reservations for Sunshine Key again and we plan to hopefully stop at Everglades National Park on the way down next year.
We also spent another day in Key West only this time we actually took the Conch Train Tour which was fun and really quite informative. The architecture in Key west is best seen from this little tour and of course me being in the brick business I was especially curious about buildings like the Custom House right in the middle of town.
Custom House
Beautiful Brick Arch and Brick Detail
Government buildings were required to be brick and mortar in those days and the Custom House with all of its brick detail having been fully restored it is quite a site to see. There was some limestone and terra cotta from itally (the carved clay and gargoyles) but the brick barrel vaulting and shapes used everywhere were neat to see. See below. No one can afford that kind of construction anymore.
We stopped at the Art Fair at the Truman Annex which was fun although a bit pricey. The Truman Annex is former president Truman's summer whitehouse that is now a condominium complex but quite nice.
Entrance of and Art Show at Truman Annex
We also stopped to see one of Marges old high school buddies that manages the local female impersonater club. We were invited back for dinner and the show but said maybe next year but I did get a good picture of he and Marge.
Marge and Russ at the LaDeDa Club
We plan on being here another week and our additions to this epistle will increase as we move. By the way we are having our first rain and expect more tomorrow. I know you in the north feel real bad for us.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Week of Leisure?
Friday, February 18, 2005
Long Key State Park - Florida
We explored Long Key State Park today and although there is not much to it, the beach and campground areas are beautiful. I have attached a few pictures for your viewing. This along with Bahia Honda State Park are very popular as they are quite reasonable relative to camping and access. Costs are about a third of everything else down here and they are full all the time. Reservations have to be made exactly 11 months in advance in order to get in. We hope to get in for a period of time this next year. Whats really nice is the fact that your on the beach with only 30 to 50 feet between the campsite and the water. There are a few trails and a canoe trail through the back mangrove areas. We wandered the beach a little and the water is quite shallow with egrets and wading birds everywhere. You would also probably see sunsets nitely.
Marge checking a campsite out
Typical campsite on the Ocean
Area between camping and picnic area
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Dangerous Excitement
We had a bit of excitement in the campground yesterday, as a nearby coach caught fire. Apparently, one of the occupants of the coach put the grill from the previous night under the back end of the coach for storage thinking that the coals were not hot. Some time later a neighbor looked out and saw flames and let everyone know. We were out on the water and all of sudden so many sirens were heard that we both remarked it reminds us of Woodward Ave at home. At any rate, the fire was put out by neighbors with fire extinguishers and waterhoses before the fire department arrived, and most importantly no one was hurt. Fire in a trailer or coach can be pretty fast moving, that coupled with fuel and LP tanks located right where the fire was is as dangerous as it gets. I've attached a picture for you to see.
Burned Coach
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Quiet Time
Today is Tuesday and neither of us knows where the time goes. Art and Janey left for Everglades National Park on Monday after having another pancake breakfast with us and its become quiet without everyone here. Saturday we went to the Pigeon Key Art Festival which has been kind of an annual thing and it was nice. Pigeon Key has been a variety of things from being a center for railroad workers when Flagler built all the bridges into the keys to an extension university for marine ecologists. Today it houses a museum and hosts a variety of events including the Art Festival. Below are a few pictures of the fair and the bridges to it.
A shot of the Arts Festival
Picturesque view of the bridges at Pigeon Key
In years past we would spend a great deal of time listening to the entertainment and drink a few beers while the girls shopped....This year shopping was quick and we had a quick lunch and ice cream instead.
David Feder a talented jazz musician entertained everyone.
Just a view to show you how small Pigeon Key is!
The title of this post was "quiet time" and I guess that relates to the catching up on things to be done...laundry, small repairs and general cleaning. We have spent the last few days doing just that and kinda sitting back after everyone left. Tomorrow we food shop and continue working on the coach.
SPECIAL CONGRATS TO THE HARRIS FAMILY AND THE NEW GRANDSON...SPENCER EARL HARRIS!
Saturday, February 12, 2005
One Month on the road
Wow! Weve been in the motorhome for a month now and it feels like its only been a few days to both of us. We really have been busy with a little business being done on my part and having friends and children and grandchildren visit. Its been really fun. In years past we would maybe go to Key West once during the time we were here but weve been there three times and enjoyed Pete and Wayne (see below) and seeing a lot of the same old things.
Pete and Wayne at Sloppy Joe's 
Marge and her friends Pete and Wayne.
Ross Sue Dave and Sandy left yesterday and Art and Jane are about to leave Sunshine key while we still have a few weeks left here. Maybe there will finally be time to do some fishing. We have been fishing a couple of times but the weather has not really cooperated. All you Northerner's will be interested to know we hit the high forty's last night but its supposed to warm up considerably in the coming days. Weve enjoyed our friends down here and its sad to see them leave. We had a nice dinner at Cabots on Thursday night which we all enjoyed...see pictures below of brown smiling faces.
Good Friends
As you may have noticed I've cleaned this up a little and am learning as I go about publishing this blog. I enjoy and hope you do too.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
"Fat Tuesday" at Sunshine Key
Well, today is Fat Tuesday and we started celebrating last night with the group meeting at Sloppys Joe's in Key West. It was fun and crowded! There was guy at the bar who fell off his stool (passed out?) to the floor to only to crack his head pretty good. Pete and Wayne, the entertainers on stage as well as, the rest of the crowd didn't pause a beat, and the patrons just stepped over and around him. Pete and Wayne while a bit off color are always entertaining and we would recomend anyone down here catching their show.
After listening to Pete and Wayne we decided to find some other place to eat dinner and ended up at "Kellys" another fine place with outdoor eating and generally good food as well as their own brewery. Before we left, Dave had to say goodby to his friend (see picture). After his goodby the eight of us sat at Kelly and talked over dinner under the stars. We all could have stayed and closed the place as nice as it was.
After last night we all took it a little easy at least until the "Fat Tuesday Parade" at Sunshine Key. This campground offers a lot of things, Sunday (ice cream) on Saturday at the clubhouse, bingo, spaghetti dinners, trips to all area events, and lots of other things, but the parade took the cake! Quite a number decorated their golf carts and put on customes and paraded around throwing beads and treats.... Really dumb but fun for everyone! I even got some beads.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Friday, February 04, 2005
Garretts week in the Keys
I have been informed that I need to post more pictures of Garrett and his parents and as they are leaving tomorrow, and I will try to bring everyone up to speed. Its been busy this week and today was a special day because Garrett found out he is going to have a healthy baby sister this summer. Everyone is quite excited!!!
This week has brought many new things for Garrett, he got to ride with Grandma and Grandpa in the gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in Grandpa's inflatable boat. It was much fun and we explored some shallow areas looking at the feeding birds and everything on the bottom including big sponges and starfish. Both Grandpa and Garrett got haircuts. We all went to the NoName Pub for dinner with the Armstrongs (essentially full timers since last October) joining us . We also found time to fish off the bridge where Granddpa tried like the devil to catch something for Garrett, but all to no avail. We flew a shark kite today as the weather has turned a little. Must be the Jags(friends from home) are in the area. The weather always gets worse when they arrive. Well the pictures are below and I hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Fun in the sun
All the days suddenly seem to blend together these days and time goes oh so quickly. Our grandson and his parents are here from California for a week and already its going too quickly. We don't get to see him or them for that matter very often but we are enjoying the time now. Monday we started with a pancake breakfast at the campground clubhouse which was enjoyed by everyone although Garrett preferred the sausage more than the pancakes.
