Tue, Dec 27, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  It was so windy yesterday, I opted to ride over to the KOA for happy hour instead of walk.  Didn’t feel like getting blown to bits.  Anyway, after about an hour it started pouring.  I mean it rained buckets—sideways at one point.  Our thoughts went to Dale and Carolyn who were on Highway 1 somewhere close.  Douglas and Chuck brought a bunch of left-over appetizers from their party and we happily devoured them.  A few decided to go to Fish for dinner.  We decided to just go home.  Dale and Carolyn had just arrived and were trying to set up in the dark.  We left them alone so they could finish up and rest after I’m sure was a very long driving day.  This morning we went to Big Pine to pick up some groceries and had lunch at Pizza Works.  83 today and breezy.

Pub at the KOA.

That's the pool and hot tub in the background.  Boy did that empty out fast when the monsoon hit.  Except for two guys in the jacuzzi. They stayed during the deluge.

Mon, Dec 26, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Got the laundry out of the way this morning.  It’s getting busier and busier here in the park.  We may have to start going off-site again.  Anyway, got that out of the way and came back to relax and there was music blaring from a motor home three sites down.  I went down there….nobody outside and the music is blaring from an outside stereo.  Hollered, but nobody answered.  Was leaving just when the maintenance guys went by and they went in and told them to quiet down.  The only one there was a little boy about 9 or so.  Can’t wait for them all to leave.  By New Years it should be back to normal.  It’ll just be us making all the noise.  Still really windy today.  Still no awnings out.  Heard that Dale and Carolyn are coming in today.  Guess they left early from Traverse City, MI.  Looking forward to seeing them.  Happy Hour tonight.  I think my liver needs a break though.  Upper 70s and W I N D Y~~

Little Palm Island

Little Palm Island
PT-109 was filmed here.

Sun, Dec 25, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Really windy today.  I finally put the awnings away.  Sandy and John came by with their Christmas cookies.  That’s what we need—more cookies!  Off to the Christmas dinner at the clubhouse at 2:30 or so.  We had a great dinner.  One of the couples in here brought a Philippine pork dish and some Philippine egg rolls.  His wife is from the Philippines. Boy was that delicious.  And the maintenance guys cooked a delicious ham on the grill. We had a very diverse dinner.  Helped clean up and then Craig, Debbie, Mike and I played spades for a while.  The wind never let up. 

All ready for the Christmas party.

Playing spades with Debbie and Craig.

Sat, Dec 24, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Worked my crossword puzzle this morning after morning ablutions and breakfast.  Really warm this morning, but tempered by the wind.  A lot of people now in the park.  But they’ll be out of here by January 1.  Off to a Christmas Eve cocktail party at Douglas’s this afternoon.  Taking smoked salmon, crackers and wine.  Looking forward to it.  Most of our friends in the park are going.  Low 80s today and windy.

Old Town Bakery on Eaton Street
Key West

Dining al fresco at Red Fish Blue Fish the other night.
Key West

Fri, Dec 23, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Another nice day here in the Florida Keys.  We decided to take care of a few chores.  Dragged out our awesome ladder and washed the walls and ceiling in our fifth wheel.  The ceiling is so high we need a ladder to take care of that chore.  But we got it done and then rewarded ourselves with dinner at Mangrove Mama’s.  Ran into John and Sandy and joined them for a few drinks after dinner—a few too many drinks actually.  But we had a great time on a beautiful evening. Plan to get together with them for a night of marbles or trivial pursuit somewhere in the future.  Upper 70s today and beautiful.

Mangrove Mama's Christmas decorations.

Waiting for our drinks.

Joined Sandy and John for some after-dinner drinks.

Thu, Dec 22, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  This morning dawned cloudy and grey.  Went out to get the paper this morning and that’s the extent of my forays outside.  A good day to watch more episodes of “Shameless”. Last night we went to see “It’s Only a Play” at the Waterfront Playhouse.  Great show.  There were a lot of people in Key West last night—partly because of a big bash at the Customs House, a holiday concert and bazar.  Lots of live music and artisans plying their wares.  After dinner at the Red Fish Blue Fish, we walked around the Westin and Customs House complex enjoying all the holiday lights.  A fun evening.  Upper 70s today.

Strolling through the holiday lights.

Laser show on the back of the Customs Building.

At the Waterfront.

Waiting for the curtain to go up. This small theater used to be an ice house back in the day.

Wed, Dec 21, Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf, FL:  Headed to Big Pine for a Walgreens run, stopping to pick up the smoked salmon for the cocktail party on Christmas Eve.  Back home and watched a couple of episodes of “Shameless”.  Cooled off a bit. Had shorts and a tee shirt on and had to change into something warmer.  We head to Key West tonight for dinner and then to the Waterfront Theater to see “It’s Only a Play”.  Was a big hit on Broadway.  We’ll see.  Upper 70s today and perfect.

On one of our sojourns into Key West we spotted this beautiful motor cycle--an Indian I think.

On a walk-about in Key West.