Sat., 2/5/11:


Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  We had the best day today.  Decided to take the bikes out in the morning.  Biked from our site, stopping at Charlie and Johanne’s (not home), then over the bridge across Bow Channel.  They were working on this bridge before we left last year.  There used to be a barrier at each end of the bridge which they removed and repaved the whole thing.  You would have to lift your bike over this barrier, which wasn’t easy.  Now it’s gone and is much, much better.  Crossed Bow Channel and then biked all through Cudjoe Gardens residential area.  Biked down all the little side roads and checked out all the homes and landscaping.  All of them are on a deep water canal and for some reason the water in these canals is the most beautiful shade of blue/green.  Biked all over and every once in a while caught the scent of something wonderful—like honeysuckle or jasmine maybe.  Biked back over Bow Channel and then down the road past the KOA where we saw a large snake (dead) in the road.  Biked back to Lazy Lakes and stopped at the clubhouse where the Saturday party was just starting and had a couple of beers.  Charlie and Johanne still not back.  We showered and changed and then left for Geiger Key for lunch, which is just up the road from Boca Chica Beach and the Naval Air Station.  While we were finishing up our lunch and enjoying the ocean views, the Naval Air Station started running some stop-and-go exercises with their jet training planes.  So we quickly paid our bill and drove down to Boca Chica and walked down to where the end of the runway is and watched this constant display of jets touching down and taking off again—right over our heads.  It was like having our own private air show.  This went on for about an hour and then we just walked around enjoying the beautiful vistas from this remote little beach—the ocean shimmering under the lowering sun.  Drove back to Lazy Lakes and stopped at Charlie and Johanne’s who were finally back.  They invited us to join them at Mangrove Mama’s for a little something to eat before we headed over to the KOA where Howard Livingston and the MM24 band was performing tonight.  Got to the KOA at about 7:30 and everything was in full swing.  We finally found an empty table out by the pool and were able to sit there away from the crowd.  Got all sweated up dancing and would have loved to jump in the pool.  What a day.  Temps in the low 80s under a clear blue sky.  Perfect!

This odd looking craft is anchored in Bow Channel just off the KOA.  The guy living here is  running for President of the Earth (unopposed).  Wonder what the inside of this thing looks like?

One of the trainer jets taking off right over our heads

You can see the hook in the back--which is affixed in the up position.

Only one F-18 took off

Beautiful ocean vista from Boca Chica

Keys Morning Glory--Boca Chica

Someone planted this Gumbo Limbo tree in memory of Boca Chica Bill.  Wonder if when I'm gone someone will plant a tree in my memory?  Mike said he would.  I feel better now.
--Boca Chica Beach--

During every performance, Howard auctions off the first margarita for Care Camp--a camp for kids with cancer.  They had Joe (owner of Lazy lakes) bidding from the Bahamas by phone who was bidding against the owner of the KOA and two other bidders.  They ended up auctioning it off for $8,800.  In total they made over $10,000 including the sale of Howard's signature turquoise hat.  Way to go, Howard, and the generous people of the Florida Keys!