Howard's girl friend, Cynderella, with someone from the audience

Sugarloaf Key: Cleanup begins today. Three of the guys are out there picking up trash. It was a great party though. The owner, Joe, must have spent a fortune. And it seemed everyone brought their pet. There were dogs of every breed, a macaw, and a cockatoo. It was fun but I’m glad it’s over. Maybe our peaceful park will get back to normal. A beautiful, sunny day today. Not a cloud in the sky. Sat outside reading a lot today—soaking up the sun. We totally forgot about the art/craft show in Key West today. Oh well. Next year.

Howard and the band

Sugarloaf Key: Well, today is the big party day. We went down at noon and got something to eat. This event was catered. Free food and beer from 3 to 9. They were running shuttles from some parking lot to the property because there is just no parking. It was a zoo. The peninsula was packed. Probably 1500 people showed up. But they taped off a section for VIP guests where we sat—right up front. Howard Livingston and the MM24 band performed from 3 to 6. We watched his whole set. Mac McAnalley (sp?) performed from 6 to 9. He plays with the Jimmy Buffet band. Kenny Chesney was supposed to perform with him. We didn’t stay for that. You could see and hear them from our site anyway. Just too much humanity out there on the peninsula.

One of our new gates

Tiki hut at the end of the peninsula

One of the new aerators/fountains in the lake

Sugarloaf Key: A nice sunny day today—and warmer. We went out to do the grocery shopping this afternoon because trying to get out of here tomorrow will be impossible. They’re having the big grand opening with free food, beer, two very popular bands and a special guest. The local radio station will be broadcasting from here. Howard Livingston brought his motor home in today in preparation for his venue tomorrow. He and his MM24 band will be performing from 3 to 6. It is going to be a zoo. Fortunately, we can stay right at our site and hear everything. The new owner has already sold some sites in here. Not sure which ones yet. So, we left to do our grocery shopping just as Howard was coming in with his motor home. He got out to talk with Linda and blocked traffic in and out for a while. After grocery shopping we went to Pizza Works for pizza. After we got back and put everything away we walked around the lake and walked out to the end of the peninsula where the tiki hut is. The guys were out there doing sound checks and stuff as this is where the bands will be performing. This should be very interesting tomorrow.

Peaches

Sugarloaf Key: Cold again today. Sunny though. We stayed in all day—playing on the computer, watching TV, and reading. Thought about going to Key West for the first show at the San Carlos Theater with Howard Livingston and the MM24 band. But we decided to go next week. They’re going to be here on Saturday for the big grand reopening along with another major band and a “surprise” guest. Maybe Kenny Chesney? It’s a big secret. Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.

Sugarloaf Key: The coldest day so far down here this year. Needless to say, we stayed inside most of the day. In the afternoon we headed down to the Tropic Cinema in Key West to see “Defiance”. Mike liked it. I had a hard time staying awake. Based on a true story though. After the movie we walked down Whitehead to the Key West Speedway and Mike did 3 races. He actually came in first on the last one. Walked over to Kelly’s after that to get a bite to eat. Mike wanted to try their wings, but they weren’t on the menu so we just headed home. I had stuffed myself with popcorn anyway. It’s race week this week so we walked over by the docks to see some of the boats. A big cruise ship is docked there along with a couple of huge yachts. Pretty cold for sailing down here right now. Supposed to be pretty cold tonight. The new owner is really making some nice changes in our park. They installed the new electronic gate today. The tiki hut at the end of the little peninsula is just about done. Things are shaping up nicely. Not sure yet how it will affect us.

Sugarloaf Key: Really chilly and windy today. And spitting rain from time to time. A good time to sit inside and watch all the inaugural activities. Went to a dinner at the clubhouse tonight. One of the guys in the park bought a whole pig and cooked it on a spit outside. Everyone brought a dish. We had a ton of food. I ate too much. Back home to watch the inaugural balls.

Mon, 1/19/09

Sugarloaf Key: Mike went over for donuts this morning and also signed us up for the dinner on Tuesday. I cleaned and vacuumed while he was gone. An iffy morning anyway. He played shoes in the afternoon and I went outside to read when the sky cleared. Didn’t stay out long though because it was chilly with the wind. We’re supposed to have the coldest weather in 6 years on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Time to go to a movie I guess. Went over to the KOA for happy hour at 5:00. Stayed much longer than usual. Good time.