Conch Republic version of homeland security

On the beach at Ft. Zach

Sugarloaf Key: A glorious day today. High of 77 degrees and clear blue skies. Sat outside most of the morning. Then went to Boondocks for a late lunch and then played miniature golf at their golf course. They added this golf course a couple of years ago and all this beautiful, tropical vegetation they planted has matured and it’s like playing in a tropical jungle. They have misters for when it’s hot. But today was just perfect.

The beach at Fort Zach

One of 4 carins some enterprising individual built

NOAA Docks--Eco Center

Some marine biologists getting ready to recertify at the Eco Center

Tue, 1/27/09

Sugarloaf Key: Got our laundry together and headed to Key West. After finishing that we went over to the restaurant at The Blue Lagoon and had lunch. It started out sunny this morning but while we were eating lunch the clouds rolled in. Really windy too. After lunch we headed down to the Eco Center. Mike wanted to see the Canadian Frigate that was moored at the docks down there. Browsed around the Eco Center for a while and then went next door to Fort Zachary Taylor. Besides the fort, there’s a really nice beach and picnic area. That’s where we headed. Ran into a bunch of people from Lazy Lakes. Spent the rest of the afternoon there watching the ships coming and going. The sun came back out and it was a beautiful afternoon. While we were sitting there one of the cruise ships left. It’s a law here that they have to leave before 6:00 so they don’t interfere with the glorious sun sets down here. Only in the Conch Republic.

Lazy Lakes pool area and clubhouse

Mon, 1/26/09

Sugarloaf Key: A spectacular morning with a deep blue cloudless sky. Mike went over for donuts at 9:00 a.m. and I started cleaning. Just finished that up when he came back and we relaxed outside reading until he left to play shoes. I continued to sit outside reading until he came back. Then we got ready for happy hour. Had a great time as usual.

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.