Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: A really nice morning. We had to go to Big Pine to pick up some snacks for a get-together tomorrow at Jerry and Char’s site across the lake. There’s going to be a huge party here tomorrow in the park with several big name entertainers—including Howard Livingston and the MM24 band. It starts at 1:00 and continues until evening. Unfortunately, the high temperature tomorrow is only going to be 61—with high winds. Since we had to go to Big Pine anyway, we decided to do the laundry. Walked the bike path while the clothes were in the washer. Really nice out. This is going to be the last warm day for a while. The rest of the week the temps don’t make it out of the low 60s (sigh). Got back and sat outside in the sun reading. We decided to go to Michael’s restaurant in Key West tonight for Valentine’s Day. After making the reservation we turned on the Weather Channel and saw the forecast. They were calling for severe thunder storms with high winds. Shortly after that Ray stopped by who lives a few sites down from us and works at the Boca Chica Naval Air Station and he warned us about the winds and said we’d probably better take down our awning. He said they even cancelled bus service in the Keys after 5:00. Probably true because the school buses weren’t going to run and parents had to pick up their kids. So, we cancelled our reservation at Michael’s and decided to run up to Bobaloo Café for dinner. Had a quick dinner and when we came out the sky to the west was black and the wind had picked up. We headed back and it started pouring and the wind was incredible. We could hardly see. The temperature dropped from 75 to 67 in about two minutes. We made it back and got drenched dashing from the truck to the RV. Hunkering down the rest of the night.

Morada Bay--Islemorada

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Very cool again today. Mike went to Key West with Floyd and his step-son, Larry, to do some racing at the Key West Speedway. I hung out at home and stayed inside. I had an enjoyable day reading, dozing, and watching old episodes of Sex and the City. The boys had a great time. Tomorrow is supposed to hit 75. We’ll see.

Morada Bay

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Sunny, but really cool and very windy which makes it feel COLD. We had our big party tonight. Joanne and Nels have been coming to Lazy Lakes for many years now. And they always do a shrimp dinner for the whole park. They buy all the shrimp. And we had coleslaw, beans and bread to go along with it. It just so happens this year was their 62nd wedding anniversary. So we had a big cake and Esther and Gerald decorated and it was really great. Sally narrated a poem she wrote for the occasion which brought tears to everyone’s eyes. And Fiona and Jerry led us in singing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” which brought on more tears. What a great couple and a fun night.

Nels and Joanne

Chocolate Cake

Jerry and Fiona





Our table

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: The last warm day for a while today. So, we put the bikes on the back of the truck and headed to Big Pine Key. After talking with the bakery at Winn Dixie about the cake we ordered for the shrimp boil tomorrow night, we headed out on our bikes. Biked down to the end of the road on Big Pine and then headed back. An easy ride out but had the wind in our face coming back. Saw a key deer buck. Stopped at the Blue Hole and met a couple from New York and a girl from Baltimore. Biked back to our truck and headed back home. Decided to go to Mangrove Mama’s for cocktails and I got absolutely shit-faced. Ted joined us and Dale and Carolyn also. Back home, two excedrins and flopped into bed. I’m a mess.

Gator at the Blue Hole

The Blue Hole

Mangrove Mama's

Ted joined us

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: An iffy day. Mike went over for donuts in the morning and then played shoes in the afternoon. I basically vegetated. Didn’t even go for a walk. Mike voted no on happy hour tonight so I guess we’re (I’m) going to vegetate some more. Tomorrow is the warmest day of the week—supposed to be 75. Then it’s back into the 60s. Guess we’ll be going to some movies. We didn’t win anything in the football pool, but at least the Saints won. I thought it was a really good game.

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Really chilly this morning. After the ballet last night we went over to Finnegan’s Wake and caught Fiona’s last set. A bunch of other people from Lazy Lakes were there. Got home late so we were slow getting going this morning. I made a big breakfast which tasted so good. Esther and Gerald stopped by with their laptop and had Charlie and Joanne on via Skype from Quebec. Was fun seeing and talking with them. Isn’t modern technology great? Made some chili which we’ll eat while watching the Superbowl. It’s about to start. We’re in a football pool and stand to win $125 each quarter. Go Saints!

Home on Carolina St. almost hidden in the lush tropical vegetation

Lazy Lakes RV Resort, Sugarloaf Key, FL: Got a late start this morning and ended up going to the Galley Grill for breakfast. Ran into Fiona and Walter there. She’s playing at Finnegan’s Wake in Key West again tonight. We ended up staying home last night. After breakfast I got my hair cut and then we came back home and relaxed the rest of the day. Went to the ballet at the Tennessee Williams Theater tonight. A great evening. 75 today and really windy.

One of the chickens on Mallory Square

Guy and his cats on Mallory Square