Jonathan Dixon State Park; Jupiter, FL: Mike started a fire this morning and I got dressed in sweats and sweat shirt thinking it was going to be really cool. But it was really warm. So back and changed into shorts and a tube top. Sat by the fire for a while. We still have the whole place to ourselves. It’s a beautiful, sunny, but windy day. Went for a walk up the road to a little Cyprus swamp to see if the gators were back. There were two of them. We met a couple from Sweeden while there. They’re over here for the winter. They want to buy an RV and return every winter. Walked back. Sat outside and read for a while. Left-overs for dinner. At about 8:00 p.m. the people started coming in that are gong to be here with us. E-mailed our Canadian friends to see if we can get together with them while we’re here. Waiting to hear from them. They are over by Lake Okeechobee.

Our campsite at Jonathan Dickson State Park; Jupiter, FL

Jonathan Dixon State Park; Jupiter, FL: Well, the day started out bad and got worse. Woke up to rain and wind. As soon as we had a break in the weather we hooked up. Had to pull out of our site, put the bike rack on the camper, and then load the bikes. Then we were on our way. I felt lousy, so Mike ended up driving all the way. The Sun Pass worked great! I’m so glad I got it. It saves a lot of time. We left The Keys at 9:40 a.m., stopped at the Palm Beach service area and got something to eat, and arrived at Jonathan Dickson State Park at about 3:00. Got checked in and then headed to our site—which was in the river loop. Really beautiful with lots of lush vegetation. The site we reserved (back in October of last year) was occupied. Sooooo, we called the ranger station and a ranger came over to tell whoever was on the site to remove themselves—but they were nowhere to be found. So, they ended up putting us in the equestrian campground, which would be great because there are only 5 sites and we’d have the whole place to ourselves. So we went over there and got set up and then another ranger stopped by later and told us there is going to be a work group in here also—starting tomorrow. 20-somethings. But, she said they are up early and work all day, and if they aren’t quiet they’ll be asked to leave. At any rate, we’re here for 6 or 7 days. There’s lots of hiking trails and bike paths. Plus the Loxahatchee River. Should be fun. 73 when we got here. Supposed to go down to the 40s tonight. At least we can have a camp fire. And temps back into the 80s in a couple of days.

Our last sunset in the Keys

Lance and Nance

Sugarloaf Key: A beautiful, warm day. 86. Warmest day we’ve had. We went to Blue Heaven for breakfast. I had the surf & turf benedict which was delicious. Mike had the tenderloin benedict. Had to wait about an hour for a table. Had mimosas at the bar while waiting and listened to the entertainment. Back home. Cleaned. Later in the evening Mike started putting stuff away to get ready for our departure tomorrow morning (sigh). And, wouldn’t you know it’s supposed to be stormy. Said our goodbyes. Lance and Nancy stopped by. We’ll be back in 9 months tho. Already looking forward to it. Leave tomorrow for Jupiter, FL.

Sunset from Publix parking lot in Key West

Sugarloaf Key: Another beautiful, warm day. We went to Sugarloaf Lodge for breakfast and then came back and just hung out and enjoyed the beautiful day. I sat outside and read for a few hours but Mike headed in to the air conditioning and played spades for a while. Then we headed to Key West to the historic seaport and had drinks and dinner at the Conch Republic Seafood restaurant again. Had more of the Key West pink shrimp. Checked out a beautiful yacht out of Rhode Island. The tall ships were all leaving for the sunset cruises. After dinner we stopped at Publix and bought groceries on the way home. In the mid-80s today.

Chicken hanging out by our table

Key West Pink Shrimp

Schooner Hindu sailing by Mallory Square

Wed, 3/5/08

Sugarloaf Key: Craig and Debbie left this morning heading to Atlanta for a Nascar race. They’ll be gone for a week. We won’t see them again until December. Thought they’d have a hard time getting their motor home out because we’re across from them, but no problem. Seems funny with them gone. They left around 8:30 and we headed to Key West to do the laundry. Saw a large refueling tanker taking off from the Naval Air Station at Boca Chica. A few days ago we saw some parachutists—thought maybe Cuba was invading us. Turns out it was some Navy Frogmen training or something. Then went over to the CVS and bought a Sun Pass. Should make it much easier heading back this year. Came back home and put all our clothes away and then hung out for a while. Then headed back to Key West Bight and had dinner at the Conch Republic Seafood restaurant. A beautiful, warm evening. Ate on the deck and had some wonderful Key West shrimp. After dinner we ended up taking a sunset sail on the Appledore. A fun, beautiful evening to be on the water. Back home and crashed.

Tue, 3/4/08

Sugarloaf Key: Just hung out today. Rib night at the clubhouse tonight. Really good. Some people played Jokers. We hung out with Craig and Debbie and talked until the wee hours.

Sunset from the campground

Sugarloaf Key: Drove to Big Pine this morning and got my hair cut. Then came back, read for a while, and then put on my bathing suit and headed to the pool. Mike is playing shoes today. Went for a swim, came back and changed and went back to the clubhouse and watched shoes for a while. Back home. Pork chops and sweet corn for dinner. Went to the KOA for the first time for happy hour. Fun. A beautiful day!