Wed, 3/13/13

Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL:  Really cool this morning.  Didn’t warm up until early afternoon.  Drove down to Flamingo and walked around.  Inquired about the 70-year-old guy who went missing two years ago.  Still absolutely no sign of him, his clothing, body parts, anything.  I think he planned on going missing.  While walking around the marina, we saw the biggest crock I’ve ever seen. This guy was out of the water and sunning himself on a bank. He must have been at least 10 feet long.  Sat on a bench and enjoyed the view of Florida Bay.  It’s been said you could almost walk across Florida Bay to the Florida Keys because it’s so shallow.  Wonder if anyone has ever tried?  Drove back to our quiet, peaceful campground, finished off a bottle of wine and warmed up left-overs for dinner.  83 today.

Florida Bay at Flamingo in the Everglades

This huge croc was sunning himself on the bank--Flamingo.  He must have been over 10 feet long.

Tue, 3/12/13

Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL:  Chilled down nicely last night—into the 60s, so it was nice sleeping.  Today was mostly cloudy, but warm.  After lunch we drove over to Mahogany Hammock to see if there were any owlets this year.  Walked through the hammock twice but didn’t see anything.  It’s beautiful in there though.  Love all the different smells. Drove back and on the way stopped at Sisal Pond.  Must have been a resort or something at one time, because there was rip-rap all around the edge of the pond and a road with a gate that went around the pond at one time.  At the entrance kiosk to our campground I inquired as to whether there were any pythons spotted in or around the campground this year.  No pythons, she said, but diamond back rattlesnakes and moccasins.  Oh, is that all said I.  (At least the pythons aren’t venomous.) We always watch where we’re walking.  Well, at least I do.  Steak, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable for dinner tonight.  83 today.

These tiny snap-dragon-like flowers are blooming throughout the park.  They're only about 1/4 inch in size.

Mike trekking through Mahogany Hammock

Going over the dizzying heights of Rock Reef Pass

All ready for our steak dinner tonight.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Charlie and Maple stopped by for the last time.  I said that yesterday.  Met Charlie, Johanne, Esther and Gerald at Mangrove Mama’s for brunch at 10:00.  Enjoyed a leisure breakfast and great company.  It’s now just after 3:00 and we have just about everything put away.  Tomorrow morning we leave for the Everglades—bright and early I hope.  It’ll depend on Mike. 

We'll be back in 9 months...

Pictures from tonight's Lazy Lakes party...decided to go at the last minute...our last party (sigh)

Our last sunset.

Esther and Foxy

Esther, Gerald, and Foxy

The Lazy Lakes Trailer Trash Band

Dale and I (singing harmony) to Sloop John B

Dale and I singing MTA

Dale and I singing Sloop John B (damn!, we're good)

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Charlie and Maple stopped by for the last time probably.  Did one last grocery and laundry run.  Then stopped at the Galley Grill for a late breakfast.  Back home and put everything away.  Were sitting outside and Gerald came by on his bike with Foxy in the basket.  He said she loves it.  I know my dog sure did.  He continued biking around the lake with Foxy and we took care of some chores.  We’re meeting the Canadians for brunch tomorrow and then we come back and get everything put away so we can leave early Monday morning.  Have to stop in Key Largo to get our water pump replaced before we go into the Everglades.  Warm in the sun today, but cool in the shade.  74 today. 

Schooner America sailing past Ft. Zach.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Cool again today. We were thinking of taking a bike ride with Esther and Gerald, but opted out.  “The Drowsy Chaperone” last night was great—but not as good as “39 Steps”.  A lot of the actors were locals and are so talented.  There was a lot of dancing and singing and lots of set and costume changes--plus live music.  After the show there was a reception in the sculpture garden with food and drink.  Had something to eat and then headed home.  Today we didn’t do much.  Watched a Netflix movie “The Black Book” which was excellent.  Tried to sit outside and read for a while, but too chilly.  72 today.

Beautiful sunset on our way into Key West.

Waiting for the show to start.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Another cold morning.  Actually, it was cool all day.  And windy.  I was off to Big Pine late morning to get my hair cut.  Even though it was cool and windy, the waters around the Keys were a beautiful, deep turquoise.  Tonight we go to the Waterfront Theater to see “The Drowsy Chaperone”, which won several Tony awards.  Should be good.  65 today.

Schooner Jolly Rover at sunset.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Another beautiful day today, although it did cool off in the afternoon—or maybe it was just the wind.  Karen stopped by and just as she was leaving Richard stopped by.  Always fun talking with them.  Sat outside reading for a while until the chilly wind drove me in.  Of course I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt.  Finished a very entertaining book a couple of weeks ago by Stephen King—“The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”—a real departure for Stephen King.  A story about a plucky nine-year-old girl who loves the Red Sox, and especially their closer, Tom Gordon.  While on a hiking trip on a section of the Appalachian Trail with her mother and brother, she gets separated from them and hopelessly lost.  For 7 days.  Clad only in her Tom Gordon tee shirt, jeans, and Tom Gordon hat, she gets over her terror of the endless nights in the dark forest by listening to Red Sox games on her Walkman (remember those?).  75 today probably.

Our little coconut fish that Mark made.