Sugarloaf Key: Another crappy day, so we headed into Key West to see a movie and do the laundry. On the way in we saw an “open house” sign at the entrance to Shark Key—which is a very upscale residential area. Our favorite. It has about 3 lagoons in the complex and on one there is a small swimming beach with a floating swim dock. The first house we looked at was a two-story with a beautiful curving wood staircase, a gourmet kitchen (wasted on me) with all Viking stainless steel appliances. The second house was all on one floor with an in-ground swimming pool, beautiful landscaping, and overlooking the mangroves on the Gulf side. They were both for sale for $2.6 million. Not bad really. We saw “Atonement” at the Tropic Cinema in Key West. After that we did the laundry and then headed home just in time for dinner at the clubhouse. Played Jokers after dinner.

Sugarloaf Key

Sugarloaf Key: Wind still bad this morning. There was a high wind advisory all night long. Locals tell us they close the 7-mile bridge to high profile vehicles at times during high winds. Our little lake had white caps and rollers yesterday! We were all warm and comfy last night watching football and really didn’t want to go to the theater, but we did. And it was so good. Except for two performers, they were all local—mostly men. And they were excellent. They were accompanied by the Key West Pops Orchestra who were also good. It’s amazing how much talent there is in the Key West area. More locals there than tourists—probably because the tickets were $100 each. And lots of gay couples there. It was like the crème de la crème of Key West. And after the performance there was a reception, a huge buffet and cash bar. We were outside talking with this very expensively dressed woman (a real character) who it turns out was from St. Louis originally. She went to a very exclusive high school and then on to Vassar. Her companion was a theater critic. And then all the performers were mingling. Everyone knew everyone. We were definitely out of place. Another function they’re having (fund raiser) is a pajama party at a local couple’s home. It’s also $100 each. But what fun THAT would be. Mike played shoes this afternoon. I vegged most of the day.

The Cottage that Tennessee Williams lived in for 13 years in Key West (he wrote most of his plays when he lived here)

Sugarloaf Key: Cool and blustery this morning. Laid there in bed listening to the wind whipping the palm fronds and it sounds like it’s raining, but it isn’t. Nobody out and about this morning. I backed up stuff on the computer. Played spades for a while—waiting for football to start. Really looking forward to the 7:00 p.m. game between Green Bay and the Giants. Going to be extremely cold there tonight. We’ll have to tape it since we’re going to see Guys and Dolls at the Tennessee Williams Theater tonight. The New England/San Diego game starts at 3:00. Good day for football.

Naval Administration Building, Key West

Sugarloaf Key: Out to Captain Crossbones for breakfast this morning. Then over to the flea market. After that we explored around Big Pine Key for a while. Found one of the estates on our home and garden tour last year—the one with the salt water pool under the house. My favorite. Found some good places to ride our bikes. A beautiful day—80s. On the way back we stopped at Mangrove Mama’s for a drink. A favorite place to go with people in the park. It’s at mile marker 20… we’re at mile marker 19.5. We could walk there. A lot of people go over in their golf carts. A little dangerous since they have to cross Highway 1. One of the guys in the park rode his bike over there and on his way back (after several drinks) fell off his bike and got a black eye. Pretty funny. A bunch of people going over to Boondocks tonight. Mile Marker 24 is playing there tonight. We would have gone except that I had a headache from our drinks at Mangrove Mama’s (sigh). I have got to toughen up.

Wharfside, Key West

Sugarloaf Key: Up this morning and put my bathing suit on right away. Over to the pool by 10:00 and stayed for a couple of hours. A beautiful, sunny day. Walked back, showered, changed and sat outside and read for a while. Lots of iguana activity in our area. Early afternoon we dressed and went over to Boondocks on Ramrod Key and partook of the pig pickin. Wonderful deal. For $10 you get a wonderful buffet and all the beer you can drink. We’re not big beer drinkers, but the buffet is wonderful. Met some great people. There was also a group from our campground there. At our table were two couples from Iowa down here for just a week and also a couple from Big Pine Key who own a home down here—and one in the Cleveland area. We’re going to try and hook up with them next Friday at Boondocks. Back home. Playing jokers tonight at the clubhouse.

Sugarloaf Key: Started out sunny this morning. Sat outside reading my new book by Michener, “Matecumbe”. Read, dozed, watched the clouds rolling in from the West when a couple of iguanas wandered into our site. One was a dark green with black markings and the other was a kind of pea green. I wonder why I’m not thrilled about snakes, but a huge lizard doesn’t bother me at all? Snakes are just lizards without legs after all. Anyway, the Jokers game I ordered on e-bay came in today. The people I ordered it from actually make them and it was very nicely done. I’m very happy with it. Made Mexican lasagna for dinner tonight. That should make Mike’s queasy stomach feel better. Darts tonight at the clubhouse. Think we’ll pass. I might hurt someone. 80 today. Humid. Wonderful.

Petunias--still alive...

Sugarloaf Key: Up this morning and on the computer checking out European camping just for the hell of it. Who knows? Also bought tickets on line for “Guys and Dolls” this Sunday at the Tennessee Williams Theater and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” which plays next month. It’s a story about a Florida trailer park—Armadillo Acres—and the characters that live there. Should be funny. Worked on the white bougainvillea trying to save it. The red one went into the dumpster yesterday. I should give up on plants, but I bought a pot of white petunias to replace the red bougainvillea. So far it’s still alive. A mostly cloudy day today and pretty windy.