Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Another nice day today.  While waiting for Mike to get up I started defrosting the freezer.  Put it off long enough.  Started the cleaning.  Karen stopped by for a while.  Carmen came over while she was here.  After taking care of a couple of other chores we relaxed the rest of the day.  Having dinner tonight with Jo and Ray who live here full time. We talked about getting together for several years now, and we’re finally doing it.  Low 80s today. 

Beautiful orchids.

Some of the little cottages in Old Town Key West have these little dipping pools out back.  This is one of them.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Off to the Marathon Home and Garden Tour this morning.  We stopped at the Stuffed Pig for breakfast and it just so happens it’s also the annual pig races.  After breakfast we watched two of the races.  Pretty funny.  Then on to the home tour.  This year we toured four homes, a home and guest house, and a condo.  All in the exclusive enclave of Key Colony Beach.  This little residential area is only about 15 blocks long and is some of the most exclusive real estate in the Keys.  After the tour we enjoyed a couple of cocktails and some shrimp at Cabana Breezes on the ocean at Key Colony Beach.  A fun day.  Upper 70s today under a cloudless blue sky.

Pig Races at the Stuffed Pig Restaurant

First Race

Around the first curve...

Coming in to the finish line!

Second Race

Coming around the first curve--the fifth pig is still in the starting gate.

The fifth pig is bringing up the rear...

Marathon Home Tour

This home is relatively small--2200 sq. ft.  But it has high ceilings and tall windows which makes it seem bigger.  This is the canal side of the home.

Me in my "won't come off in 40 mph winds" hat.

Condo--Castillo del Sol

A two-bedroom condo on the ocean.  This is their deck overlooking the pool and  Atlantic Ocean.

Steps from the deck down to the pool and beach.

Dessert rose in bloom.

Beautiful beach.

The whole complex.

Mike checking out the beach.

Pool at one of the other homes we looked at.

This house was amazing.  That viney stuff growing up the sides is not ivy, but fig.  They have two gardeners.

Me reflected in the window taking a picture of the viney stuff.

The beautiful entrance.  All marble floors.  Grand piano.  The master bath has gold faucets and gold inlay in the sinks.  They have two maids and a cook that comes in for special occasions.

Peek-a-boo...

The outside living area.

The outside dining area.

Stopped at Cabana Breezes for a couple of drinks and the ocean out there was sparkling in the sun.  It looked like there were diamonds floating on the surface.  Magical!   Or maybe I had too many drinks.

Back over the seven-mile bridge.

This pine tree grows right out of the old seven-mile bridge.  At Christmas someone comes out there and decorates it with lights.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Spitting rain again this morning and cool.  It started clearing in the afternoon, but we basically stayed inside all day.  Watched our Netflix movie, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Bob Ford”.  Brad Pitt played Jesse James.  An interesting movie.  Mike grilled steaks for dinner and I sautéed some sliced potatoes, onions, and red peppers to go with them.  Really good.  Our neighbor, Richard, stopped by.  He’s having another wine tasting next Thursday.  Should be fun.

Beautiful Old Town Key West cottage.

Local artist.

Key West Cemetery.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  A rainy morning today so I spent the morning on the computer taking care of some stuff.  After lunch we ventured outside and sat around reading and listening to the red winged blackbirds chattering away.  They are a noisy bunch.  Sitting with the sun on you it was warm, but when the sun went behind a cloud and the breeze picked up, it felt really cool.  At any rate, we’re heading in to the Tropic in Key West to see “Twelve Years a Slave.”  Should be good.  Then we plan on stopping at Charlie Mac’s for more of their delicious Brunswick stew.  Upper 70s today I guess.

Little side porch on a cottage in Old Town Key West.  Great place for reading a book or taking a little snooze.

Outside living area in an Old Town Key West Cottage.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Mike had to go to see his dentist this morning on Big Pine, so I went along, and after we had breakfast at the Galley Grill.  His dentist’s office is in a beautiful, lush setting of palm trees and other exotic vegetation.  He works in shorts and flip flops and brings his two dogs with him who come out and say hello to you before he begins working on you.  How neat is that!  When we got back I sat outside reading for a while.  Then we walked around the lake.  It’s quite warm again today.  Mid-80s.  Dinner tonight at the clubhouse.

Even a trip to the dentist's office can be a beautiful experience down here.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  We took care of our laundry and grocery shopping today.  And in between I saw my orthopedic surgeon and was finally released and told I’m good to go.  Went to the Stoned Crab and celebrated with cocktails and lunch.  Then back home and put everything away.  Relaxed the rest of the day.  Nothing on the agenda for tonight.  Mid-80s again today.

Indian Key

In the early 1800s Indian Key was the first county seat for Dade County.  At that time this island was the site of a lucrative salvaging business.  You can get out there by boat or kayak.  It's now a state historic site.  A great place to swim or hike.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  I walked around the lake early this morning.  The lake was so beautiful—just like glass.  Took some pictures.  When I passed Jim and Karen’s site Mike was there—guess he stopped by after donuts—so I sat and talked with them for a while.  After Mike left for shoes I sat outside and finished my latest book.  Other than that, our usual Monday.  Happy hour tonight at the KOA and then Boondocks for dinner.  Another beautiful mid-80s day.

Lazy Lakes Reflections

Karen and Jim