Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: We got a late start this morning—were just lazing around and Gerald stopped by and invited us for brunch to pay back Mike for helping him when his bike broke down. Since we hadn’t even taken our showers yet, we dropped everything and hit the floor running. Met them an hour later and headed to the Galley Grill. After breakfast they headed back to the park and we headed to Key West one last time. Parked at the Eco Center lot and toured the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham. Built in 1936, it’s the only one left of its class. There was an older gentleman on the ship who was picked up by its sister ship after his merchant ship was hit by a torpedo during WWII. Wow. After touring the ship we headed to Key West harbor. There were three cruise ships in—one was the huge Disney Magic. Found a bench on the harbor walk and sat and enjoyed the sun. With three cruise ships in there were a lot of people around. We cut through the Truman Annex coming and going and there was an event going on at the Truman White House. There were a bunch of tents set up for lunch and they had a croquet court set up and everyone was in period costumes. The women had these amazing hats on. A benefit for women’s health or something. Left and headed home via the beaches and stopped at Salute on the Beach for dinner. A beautiful evening to be dining on the beach. And a beautiful sunset. Think it hit 70 today.

Coast Guard Cutter Ingham--1936

While we were touring the Ingham, an active CG Cutter headed out

Disney Magic cruise ship

Another cruise ship with schooner Jolly Roger in the background


Schooner Jolly Roger


Party at the Truman White House--look at that hat!

A game of croquet in period costumes

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Got going early for a change. Loaded up the laundry and grabbed the grocery list and headed to Big Pine. We lucked out and neither the Laundromat nor the grocery store was busy. Had pizza for lunch and then headed to the flea market for the last time. Picked up some tee shirts to take home, some books and some cinnamon from the spice lady and then headed home. A beautiful, sunny day and the waters around the Keys were beautiful shades of turquoise, deep blue, light green, and grey. We will sure miss the lovely waters around here. And they’re expanding the bike paths so next year we will be able to bike a lot more on these new paths. Plus they’re putting lots of landscaping along the paths and split-rail fences, so it should be very pretty. After getting everything put away I sat outside in jeans, a long shirt and a Polartech jacket. It’s supposed to warm up gradually—of course since we’re leaving on Tuesday. Think it hit 64 today.

Pool at Villa Paradiso--Palms in Paradise 2010

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: A beautiful, sunny day, but chilly and windy. We drove down to Key West and saw “The Last Station” at the Tropic Cinema with Helen Miren and Christopher Plummer. It was about Tolstoy and his wife and the battle they had in his later years over his literary works. He wanted to give them to the Russian people and she wanted to keep them for his family. I had no idea how Tolstoy was revered by the Russian people. After the movie we went to the Key West Speedway and Mike did a few races. We’re tired. It was a late night last night and we got up pretty early.

Villa Paradiso--Palms in Paradise 2010

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: When I first went out this morning shortly after 7:00, the sun was shining and the lake was like glass. Beautiful! But then it clouded up and the wind picked up. Just hung out inside most of the day and then at 5:00 13 of us headed to Key West to La Te Da for dinner and the drag queen show with Randy Roberts. A great show as usual. Most of our group had never been there before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Really chilly again today. Beautiful moon rise tonight. The record low for this date is 53--back in 1873. We're going to break that low tonight.

Waiting for the show to start

Randy in a crystal beaded dress

Randy in his Cher persona

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Cool, sunny and windy today. Mike, Floyd, Gerald and Felix went to Key West to the NASCAR venue to do some racing. Mike picked up Floyd at noon and Gerald and Felix went down on the Harley. When Gerald and Felix didn’t show up they had Terry call Esther to see if she had heard anything from them, but she hadn’t. They finally showed up. Apparently, the Harley broke down and he had to leave it at Duval and Angela. Mike got back about 4:00 and went over to Gerald’s site to hook up their trailer to Mike’s truck and go back to Key West to pick up the disabled Harley. What a day. I luxuriated in my solitude all day.

Beautiful ceramic gate--Villa Paradiso
Palms in Paradise--2010

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: A beautiful, warm morning. Actually donned shorts and a tee shirt and walked around the lake and beyond. Windy, but beautiful. Gerald stopped by for coffee. Esther was in Key West with her nephew, Felix. So, Gerald, Mike, and I decided to go have lunch somewhere. We were going to try Geiger Key, but a squall line was coming through so we ended up at Bobulu’s Café. The squall passed by and the sun came back out. Back home and I sat outside luxuriating in the warm sunshine reading my book. Cold front coming through tonight and back to the 60s.

Iguana way at the end of a branch in the mangroves behind us.

Trunk of a rainbow palm--really pretty

Palms in Paradise--2010

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Another cool day in store for us. I don’t think it’ll even be in the 70s before we leave next Tuesday. Mike went over for donuts this morning and I backed up the computer. Took two tries to get it done—2 hours total. Esther and Gerald returned yesterday with their nephew, Felix. He and Gerald came over on one of the paddle boats this morning—in tee shirts and shorts. These Canadians are tough! I sat outside in the sun for a while reading, but it was only comfortable in sweats and a sweat shirt. Then when it clouded up I had to go back in because it felt too chilly to me. Mike left at 1:00 to play shoes and I relaxed and enjoyed my solitude. Happy hour tonight. Probably our last one before we leave for the Everglades.

Gerald and Felix cruising

Speeding things up a little (look at that wake!)