Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Another beautiful, warm day today.  After lunch Mike asked if I wanted to go for a bike ride.  I didn’t really because I was so stuffed from lunch.  But I changed into my biking shorts, donned my helmet and off we went.  We checked out the new bike path heading east which is really nice.  We had to cross Hwy 1 once, but there was a good break in the traffic and we got across with no problem.  Going out it was a little bit of a slog because we were going into the wind, but coming back was a breeze—literally. A beautiful day!

The new bike path meanders through the mangroves and flats on the other side of Hwy. 1. They even put up some nice split-rail fencing in places.

Taking a break.

Through a tunnel of lush vegetation.

Saw a bunch of large white birds feeding in the flats.

Upon closer inspection, turns out they're white pelicans, aka American pelicans.  We see a lot of these in St. Louis in the winter.  This bunch was smart and came down here.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Noticeably warmer this morning.  We did the laundry and grocery shopping in Key West today and had lunch at the Stoned Crab after.  A balmy but cloudy day but finally cleared off around 4:00.  Off to Duval in Key West tonight to see Fiona. Jerry is taking his banjo and will accompany her on some songs. Haven’t seen her in over a year.  Should be a fun night. 77 today.

Key West Waterfront.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  The weekend was pretty cool and breezy. We want to go out to Little Palm Island for their Sunday brunch, but have a warm, sultry day in mind—not cool and breezy.  Sunday afternoon we walked around the lake, ran into Ray and Bonnie and caught up with them for a while.  They’ve been out on island three miles west of the Dry Tortugas taking care of a lighthouse.  What a fun thing that would be!  We may go into a different site next year.  Checked that out and then walked back home.  Went to Roostica’s for their Sunday gravy which was good as usual.  Today Mike will play shoes and then we’ll go over to the KOA for happy hour.  It’s still breezy and cool (sigh).

Little Palm Island

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Another cloudy and cool day.  Thought we’d go see a movie, but Ray stopped by and we decided to get together with them for an early dinner at Mangrove Mama’s.  They’re leaving Lazy Lakes and are heading to the Orlando area to move in with Ray’s parents.  We probably won’t be seeing them any time soon.  Had a great dinner and drinks with them.  And they’re off for a six-hour drive up to Orlando.  Hope they arrive safely.

Our bartender, Shelia, waited on us--because we are special.  She used to live in the site next to ours.

Looking up from our table--a banana tree!  Gotta love it!

Ray & Jo

Thu, Jan 15, 2015:  Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Cloudy and cool this morning.  We basically hung around most of the day.  At 3:00 we headed over to the clubhouse for a wine tasting—hosted by Richard. Quite a big group this year. We tasted Bordeaux this time.  And after not drinking for a couple of weeks, I was pretty buzzed. After the wine tasting broke up we stumbled home and watched four more episodes of “Homeland.”  It just keeps getting better and better. 

Doors of Key West.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Cloudy and cool this morning. Put the fixings for vegetable beef soup in the crock pot and then checked out movie times at the Tropic Cinema.  We also have our Netflix up at the office.  We’re on the first season of “Homeland” and it’s very addictive.  We could go to KW and see the movie about breaking the Enigma code during WWII, or watch another 3 or 4 episodes of “Homeland.”  Decisions, decisions. After an hour or so of indecision, we headed to KW shortly after noon and went to see “Imitation Game”—which was a good thing, because our Netflix wasn’t in the mail. The movie was great. Unbelievable story about how the Enigma code was broken. And the guy that was instrumental in breaking the code was criminalized so badly after the war that he ended up committing suicide.  What a waste of a brilliant mind. After the movie we walked around the waterfront some.  Race week is next week, and all the racing yachts are in and getting set up. Always something going on.  And even though it was cloudy most of the day, the waters around the lower Keys were pretty shades of light green. 75 today.

Palms swaying in the tropical breezes.

All the racing yachts getting set up for next week.

A cruise ship passing a couple of military ships moored at the Eco Center.

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  We’ve enjoyed some great weather the last couple of days.  80s and sunny for the most part.  We actually went to happy hour last night at the KOA.  Only stayed for happy hour and then we picked up some Dion’s chicken on the way home.  Today we did the laundry and grocery shopping.  And then pizza for lunch.  Came back and sat outside reading and enjoying this beautiful, warm day.  Carmen stopped over for a while.  After she left we walked around the lake, stopping to talk to people we haven’t seen in a while. Some of the group is going to KW tonight to see Fiona perform at McConnell’s Pub on Duval.  We’ll go another time.

Cute little cottage in Old Town.