Sat, 12/12/09

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL: This morning was pretty cloudy. I was sitting outside in shorts and it clouded up and with the wind I got chilly so went in and changed into jeans. We drove to Big Pine and did our grocery shopping and went to Pizza Works for our pizza fix. By now it’s hot—mid-80s—and I’m dying in jeans. Back home and put everything away and then changed back into shorts. Sat outside reading in the afternoon. At 8:00 we drove to the historic seaport area and parked in the old town garage and watched the lighted boat parade. It was a beautiful night—still 80°. The boat parade was really pretty. Boats of all sizes were decorated with lights in such a creative way. The best were the schooners because all the rigging was lighted with little white lights. Really nice. We then walked down to Finnigan’s Wake and watched Fiona Molloy who was performing there. Really fun night.

Sandy and Dan at the Tiki Bar

The Hammocks on Marathon

Fri, 12/11/09

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Really cloudy this morning. We drove to Big Pine Key and did the laundry. The Laundromat there has been redone and it’s beautiful. Even has two flat screen HD TVs. Back home and put everything away and I started my new book, “The Hemmingway Patrols”. Apparently during WWII while living in Cuba Hemmingway took his 38-ft. fishing boat, Pilar, out looking for German U-boats in the waters north of Cuba. Should be a good read. Clouds cleared off in the afternoon. Humidity has dropped quite a bit. Think it hit 80 today. Rented “Public Enemies” and watched after dinner. Pretty entertaining.

Lighthouse near The Hammocks on Marathon

Thu, 12/10/09

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL: This morning we drove to Marathon to meet Sandy and Dan. On their last day we planned on going to Pigeon Key and the Turtle Hospital. Went to the Stuffed Pig for breakfast again. Then we drove back to Knights Key to get the boat over to Pigeon Key. A perfect day for a boat ride. No wind, so the water was flat. Our route took us under both the new seven-mile bridge and the old seven-mile bridge. Pigeon Key is very historic since it housed the workers for the overseas railroad and then the overseas highway after the railroad was wiped out with the ’37 hurricane. After our tour we headed back to the dock to get on the boat and saw two rays. Back to Knights Key and then drove back to the Hammocks where Sandy and Dan are staying. Had to make it to the Turtle Hospital by 4:00 for our tour. Sandy and I walked since it’s only .5 mile and Mike drove. An interesting tour of this facility. They have a regular ambulance to go pick up these injured turtles and then they have an operating theater and an x-ray facility. They can perform laser surgery and endoscopic procedures. After touring the hospital we went back to see the turtles. The sicker ones are kept in small, individual tanks which are totally emptied, cleaned, and refilled every day. The healthier ones—but which can never be released—are kept in larger tanks which are fed by the water from the bay that runs through a filtering system. These turtles are so lucky to be getting this kind of care. After the tour Sandy and I walked back and we had drinks at the tiki bar and then had sandwiches for dinner. A really fun day—albeit really warm and humid. We played spades one last time and then we drove back. Saw three key deer on Big Pine Key—right along the road. The speed limit is 35 on that Key at night because of all the Key Deer.

Pigeon Key

Loggerhead Turtle

This guy was hit by a boat propellor

Wed, 12/9/09

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Sandy and Dan got over around 10:30 and we headed for Key West. Went to Blue Heaven for breakfast. Sandy and I had a couple of mimosas each. So, we had a buzz on when we left there. Drove over to the Customs House museum and checked that out. It was well worth it just for the movie on the Hemmingway home and its contents in Cuba. Unbelievably, it has been very well preserved. Not sure about his boat, the Pilar. After that Sandy and I went through the Mel Fisher treasure museum. I was a little disappointed. I thought it was much better a couple of years ago. Mike did a couple of races at the Speedway while we were in the museum. Headed home around 4:00. Had some pasta ready to put in the oven. Ate and then played spades. Record temps and humidity down here. I think it was 82 here today with about 90% humidity.

Rooster at Blue Heaven Cafe--Key West

Sandy and I at the Dolphin Research Center--on a cooler day

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Sandy and Dan came over this morning and we headed down to Key West again. Took the trolley tour and stopped at the Hemmingway home and toured that. Then back on the trolley and continued on the tour over to the schooner wharf and walked around there for a while. Had lunch at the Conch Republic Seafood Restaurant on the wharf and then walked over to the Customs House museum, but they were closing in an hour so we just went over to the Cuban restaurant on Mallory Square for drinks and then drove back. Sat outside for a while enjoying the balmy evening. Some friends stopped by we haven’t seen since last winter. Sandy and Dan headed back to Marathon and we’re planning on going back to Key West and the museums tomorrow.

Powder Puff Palm (I think)--Hemmingway Home

Lily Pond--Hemmingway Home

Hemmingway Home

Key West

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, Fl: Sandy and Dan drove over to us this morning. After getting turned around a little they found us. They left their car here and we drove the truck into Key West. Had breakfast at Azur and then Sandy and I walked down to the Truman Annex while Mike and Dan drove. We walked through the Annex and toured the Truman Whitehouse. Then walked over to the Mallory Square area and Sandy and I shopped for some tee shirts. We met back up with Mike and Dan and Dan had a little surprise for Sandy and I. Picture below. Had a drink at the Roof Top Café and then Mike walked back to the truck and picked us up. Back to our place and we played spades. A fun day and great weather.

Inscription reads...

"If you think I'm a BITCH, you should meet my SISTER"

Sandy and Dan hamming it up in front of Pepito's Restaurant

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, Fl: Headed to The Hammocks to pick up Sandy and Dan and we went to the Stuffed Pig for breakfast. Then we drove to the Dolphin Research Center and ended up spending the rest of the day there. A great time. There are over 20 dolphins at this facility—and one just born two weeks ago. They put on several demonstrations with the dolphins and you can swim with them if you want. It was a great entertaining and educational experience. Back to the Hammocks and had a couple of drinks at the tiki bar there. Then had sandwiches for dinner, played spades, and we headed back home.

Dan & Sandy

Mike & Me