I know you're wondering about "iggy", well, I am too. There have been days that he hasn't been seen, then one day Sugar appeared, along with a much smaller iguana, green all over. Now we don't see "iggy" . I'm afraid I didn't research nearly enough to know what to expect. We're just hoping to see him before we leave early Monday morning.
And, this will be my last blog from Key West. It has been so great.
Wednesday, I visited the charter school that our neighbor boys, Cade and Braden Miles attend. Big Pine Academy is a Charter School in Big Pine Key. I'm so unfamiliar with the term, Charter school. It is a public school operated independently of the local school board, often with a curriculum and educational philosophy different from other schools in the system. It can be a primary or secondary school that receives public money(and like other schools, may also receive private donations, but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter.
Charter schools are opened and attended by choice. They are part of the public education system, are not allowed to charge tuition, and they provide an alternative to other public schools. So, I was pleased to meet with Ms. Cathy Hoffman, director of the school. She shared many things about the school and from talking with her, realized how fortunate the school is to have some one of her caliber as their leader. We visited Braden's kindergarten class, a fourth grade writing class, and the computer lab. Also the garden, that is enjoyed by the students, some classes are taught there also. She explained
rotation of classes taught on a nine-week schedule, such as music and art, P.E. etc:. The classes were small, the faculty from all over the country. You can tell I was very impressed with this school and the philosophy of it.
Yesterday, Friday, Janie and I went to Key West, hoping again to see someone in the Mel Fisher family and talk with them, but none of them were at the Museum. We did talk to someone connected with the investment program of the enterprise and he was impressed with our adventure.
We had our first ice cream cone of the month right across the street from Sloppy Joe's Bar, made famous because it was a favorite of Hemmingway's. Walked through it just to say I had been there.
Then, we visited the Monroe County Courthouse where our friend Adam Carages is a deputy of the court. It's a beautiful new building, spotless, paintings of local artists hanging everywhere, the courtrooms so spacious, even visited the holding cells, and the basement. Met Adam's judge and several others who were still in their offices, working, at 4:30 on Friday afternoon.
Thank you Adam for spending your valuable time with us, you are a sweetheart.
Today we entertained our neighbors, Wayne and Chuck, for lunch. So good to get to know more about them and count them as friends. That's the best part of this trip, getting to know so many new people. We haven't met anyone yet that we didn't dread having to say good-bye to.
We plan to be in Charleston, South Carolina on March 1. Tomorrow we'll have breakfast at the Blue Heaven, our last time to visit one of our favorite places, then attend church at Bog Coppitt Baptist Church, then home to finish packing, and saying good-bye to one of our favorite places. I hope each place we visit will be our favorite!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Revisiting America
What a fun weekend. Bettye Jean Henson, Mary Ann Wilson, Mary Ann's daughter and grandson, Sundi and Will West, arrived about noon on Friday. We had lunch here to give them a little time to regroup, then went into town. Toured Hemingway House. We got to see the six-toed cats, the whole house, and his writing room (on the 2nd floor of a small separate building). There used to be a suspended walkway between his bedroom and his writing room. I loved his writing room/study. He started writing every morning at 6:00; wrote until about noon; went fishing; then went to Sloppy Joe's (his favorite bar in Key West) until whenever. Then at it again at 6:00 am. It was very interesting to see and hear about the way he lived while in the Keys. After all, the man won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Next, we wandered over to Mallory Square to watch the sunset. There is lots of entertainment while waiting - jugglers, tightrope walkers, bagpipe players, fire-eaters, and contortionists as well as artists, food vendors, and lots of people for people-watching. While sitting on the dock with our legs hanging over above the water, all kinds of boats were passing. Some on their way in; some on their way out. Catamatans, sailing ships, and motor boats of every size and description. Then came the sunset at 6:23. A hush falls over the crowd, then when it disappears, everybody sighs and goes about their business.
Nature is awesome, isn't it?
Dinner (you know I'd get to that, didn't you?) was eaten at the Conch Republic Seafood Company, and it was delicious. Conch fritters with horseradish sauce for an appetizer. Snapper Wellington - snapper stuffed with crabmeat, then baked in pastry just like beef wellington. Oh! so good. Everyone was so full that we shared a piece of key lime pie for dessert. Back home to play cards for awhile, then bed. Saturday, we started with a Conch Tour Train ride, then went to Blue Heaven for lunch. Lou and I had eaten there before and were anxious to introduce our friends to the key lime pie. We even took pictures of it - a whole pie, and a slice. Needless to say, it was a hit. This time there was no sharing - each person had his own piece and practically licked the plate. It's that good! The roosters were still there and acting as if they were in charge. They are pretty well behaved, though. They don't bother you in the least, except for crowing occasionally.
Next stop was the Butterfly Conservatory. Well worth visiting. The butterflies live in their own little hot, humid, man-made habitat, along with some fish in a pond and some quails wandering about. They are fed on stands with mosaic platters holding pieces of fruit. They tend to light on the flowers that match their coloring - protective coloration just like we were taught in biology class. You feel a little bit like an intruder but they are very gracious about it, sometimes landing on you for a moment.
Afterward, we went to the Mel Fisher Treasure museum to view the treasures that he pulled from the shipwreck, Atocha. The Atocha was a Spanish galleon that sank off the Marquesas Keys, Florida, in 1622, and Mel Fisher found the motherlode of the ship, worth approximately $400 million. Since then, his finds have increased enormously, and his wealth along with it. The museum is filled with examples of his findings of gold, silver, emeralds, and other precious artifacts. It's also filled with archaelogical treasures resulting from examination of the ship and its clues to how life was lived aboard. The Gift Shop was unbelievable.
Our visitors also visited quite a few shops along Duval Street - the main shopping street in town. It has bars, restaurants, trinket shops, art galleries, dress and shoe shops - you name it. It's all there is you can afford it.
Dinner was a bust. We had gotten recommendations for a place, but it turned out that it was a restaurant in name only - the main focus was the bar. We waited a very long time at a table on the front patio by the water. We were talking and didn't realize how long we had waited or we would have left. Then, when we started to order, we were told that they were out of the three most popular dishes on the menu. Again, we should have taken the clue to leave. We found other things to order, but were disappointed. For the price, the food should have been good instead of indifferent. After seeing key lime pie, the same as at Blue Heaven (the two are connected in some way, but so very, very different), and trying to order it, we were told that they were out of key lime pie. The final blow. We laughed all the way home about how bad the whole experience was and the fact that we were so naive as to stay.
Sunday morning, our friends left about 10:00. We found out later that, before starting the long drive, they went back to Blue Heaven for another piece of key lime pie. It's that good!
Lou and I were lazy after they left. Didn't do anything until yesterday after lunch, then went to town and toured the Little White House. Excellent tour. You definitely get a taste of history and a sense of how President Truman enjoyed his vacations there. Other presidents have visited - Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton.
Time to say goodbye. It's fun writing the blog because it makes us think about the experiences we've had and we can enjoy them all over again.
Janie
Next, we wandered over to Mallory Square to watch the sunset. There is lots of entertainment while waiting - jugglers, tightrope walkers, bagpipe players, fire-eaters, and contortionists as well as artists, food vendors, and lots of people for people-watching. While sitting on the dock with our legs hanging over above the water, all kinds of boats were passing. Some on their way in; some on their way out. Catamatans, sailing ships, and motor boats of every size and description. Then came the sunset at 6:23. A hush falls over the crowd, then when it disappears, everybody sighs and goes about their business.
Nature is awesome, isn't it?
Dinner (you know I'd get to that, didn't you?) was eaten at the Conch Republic Seafood Company, and it was delicious. Conch fritters with horseradish sauce for an appetizer. Snapper Wellington - snapper stuffed with crabmeat, then baked in pastry just like beef wellington. Oh! so good. Everyone was so full that we shared a piece of key lime pie for dessert. Back home to play cards for awhile, then bed. Saturday, we started with a Conch Tour Train ride, then went to Blue Heaven for lunch. Lou and I had eaten there before and were anxious to introduce our friends to the key lime pie. We even took pictures of it - a whole pie, and a slice. Needless to say, it was a hit. This time there was no sharing - each person had his own piece and practically licked the plate. It's that good! The roosters were still there and acting as if they were in charge. They are pretty well behaved, though. They don't bother you in the least, except for crowing occasionally.
Next stop was the Butterfly Conservatory. Well worth visiting. The butterflies live in their own little hot, humid, man-made habitat, along with some fish in a pond and some quails wandering about. They are fed on stands with mosaic platters holding pieces of fruit. They tend to light on the flowers that match their coloring - protective coloration just like we were taught in biology class. You feel a little bit like an intruder but they are very gracious about it, sometimes landing on you for a moment.
Afterward, we went to the Mel Fisher Treasure museum to view the treasures that he pulled from the shipwreck, Atocha. The Atocha was a Spanish galleon that sank off the Marquesas Keys, Florida, in 1622, and Mel Fisher found the motherlode of the ship, worth approximately $400 million. Since then, his finds have increased enormously, and his wealth along with it. The museum is filled with examples of his findings of gold, silver, emeralds, and other precious artifacts. It's also filled with archaelogical treasures resulting from examination of the ship and its clues to how life was lived aboard. The Gift Shop was unbelievable.
Our visitors also visited quite a few shops along Duval Street - the main shopping street in town. It has bars, restaurants, trinket shops, art galleries, dress and shoe shops - you name it. It's all there is you can afford it.
Dinner was a bust. We had gotten recommendations for a place, but it turned out that it was a restaurant in name only - the main focus was the bar. We waited a very long time at a table on the front patio by the water. We were talking and didn't realize how long we had waited or we would have left. Then, when we started to order, we were told that they were out of the three most popular dishes on the menu. Again, we should have taken the clue to leave. We found other things to order, but were disappointed. For the price, the food should have been good instead of indifferent. After seeing key lime pie, the same as at Blue Heaven (the two are connected in some way, but so very, very different), and trying to order it, we were told that they were out of key lime pie. The final blow. We laughed all the way home about how bad the whole experience was and the fact that we were so naive as to stay.
Sunday morning, our friends left about 10:00. We found out later that, before starting the long drive, they went back to Blue Heaven for another piece of key lime pie. It's that good!
Lou and I were lazy after they left. Didn't do anything until yesterday after lunch, then went to town and toured the Little White House. Excellent tour. You definitely get a taste of history and a sense of how President Truman enjoyed his vacations there. Other presidents have visited - Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton.
Time to say goodbye. It's fun writing the blog because it makes us think about the experiences we've had and we can enjoy them all over again.
Janie
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Revisiting America
We begin our last week in Key West and again I can say, "Where has the time gone?" It has been good, so much to see and do, the weather the best ever, and some of the most interesting people and places. Wednesday morning we visited the new office of the "Fish Monster" magazine and met the editor, Dianne Scott, wife of the charter boat captain, Marlin Scott, radio show host, comic, charmer of two old ladies from the South. Dianne invited us to be interviewed on the radio show at 6:00 that evening so we left wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.
Had just enough time to be at St. Paul's Episcopal church at noon for an organ and piano concert, given by the organist-choir director of the church. What a wonderful gift to the people of the city, to be able to view the beautiful church and hear such pretty music. Organ selections were by a London composer, James Cook, and the score from the musical "Oliver" was played on the piano. Open to the public, free,
unless you chose to leave a love gift, and that day it was well attended. Last minute shopping in preparation for our week-end guests, and then home for a short time to get ready to go back into Key West for our interview.
The interview was a lot of fun. Captain Scott made us feel very special , at ease, and an important part of his show. There were many phone-in guests, his son Seth the producer of the show commenting, and Marlin questioning us about our home places, reasons for the trip, and his good wishes for success with our book. We left feeling quite the celebrity-we haven't heard the tape yet so our opinion of the evening could change drastically.
Thursday was a busy day doing household chores, cooking, and waiting for our friends from home. A phone call told us they would not arrive until Friday-it is such a long way, and you actually just give out trying to make the distance in a day.
What fun to see Bettye Jean, Mary Ann, Sundi and Will West and know what a great time we'll have together.
After lunch we went into Key West, walked around in famous Mallory Square, visited the Ernest Hemmingway house-learned so much about him, his writing, family, and the house site and furnishings, the 34 cats that are fed and cared for, that roam the premises, and are visited by a vet once a week. All of this explained by a great guide.
Went back to Mallory Square to wait for the sunset-crowds of people there being entertained by jugglers, tight-rope walkers, fire-eaters, bag-pipers, cyclists, vendors selling food, paintings, jewelry,etc: It was fun and a very entertaining wait because the sunset is so spectacularand not to be missed. Never realized the sun was so big!
Of course, our wonderful meal came next. My entree was "Snapper Wellington" with crab meat, baked in a crust, so unusual, delicious. This restaurant, the Conch Seafood Republic, was one of the many that had been recommended to us. All of our food was great and ended this meal by sharing one piece of Key lime pie(we were too full for individual pieces) and six forks.
Saturday was spent on the Conch train tour, lunch at "Blue Heaven" mentioned in "the book", where chickens and roosters are wandering around on the brick floor,(it's outside)roosting in the trees, live music, meringue on the Key lime pie four inches high(there will be a picture to prove it), roamed the streets looking in many of the hundreds of shops, the Butterfly Conservatory(which housed the most unusual collection of butterflies)and then ended our day at the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum, a treasure to see and read about. My, how you have admire someone like him. We do plan to visit his sons this week at the museum, where it's said, they come to work every day.
Ended the day with another meal together, then home, very tired, but pleased with all we had seen and done. Dread to see our home folks leave, but they said they must.
As I say every blog, " How wonderfully blessed I am to have this time to spend doing exactly what I choose to do, missing everyone, but realizing what an unusual opportunity I'm involved in.
Had just enough time to be at St. Paul's Episcopal church at noon for an organ and piano concert, given by the organist-choir director of the church. What a wonderful gift to the people of the city, to be able to view the beautiful church and hear such pretty music. Organ selections were by a London composer, James Cook, and the score from the musical "Oliver" was played on the piano. Open to the public, free,
unless you chose to leave a love gift, and that day it was well attended. Last minute shopping in preparation for our week-end guests, and then home for a short time to get ready to go back into Key West for our interview.
The interview was a lot of fun. Captain Scott made us feel very special , at ease, and an important part of his show. There were many phone-in guests, his son Seth the producer of the show commenting, and Marlin questioning us about our home places, reasons for the trip, and his good wishes for success with our book. We left feeling quite the celebrity-we haven't heard the tape yet so our opinion of the evening could change drastically.
Thursday was a busy day doing household chores, cooking, and waiting for our friends from home. A phone call told us they would not arrive until Friday-it is such a long way, and you actually just give out trying to make the distance in a day.
What fun to see Bettye Jean, Mary Ann, Sundi and Will West and know what a great time we'll have together.
After lunch we went into Key West, walked around in famous Mallory Square, visited the Ernest Hemmingway house-learned so much about him, his writing, family, and the house site and furnishings, the 34 cats that are fed and cared for, that roam the premises, and are visited by a vet once a week. All of this explained by a great guide.
Went back to Mallory Square to wait for the sunset-crowds of people there being entertained by jugglers, tight-rope walkers, fire-eaters, bag-pipers, cyclists, vendors selling food, paintings, jewelry,etc: It was fun and a very entertaining wait because the sunset is so spectacularand not to be missed. Never realized the sun was so big!
Of course, our wonderful meal came next. My entree was "Snapper Wellington" with crab meat, baked in a crust, so unusual, delicious. This restaurant, the Conch Seafood Republic, was one of the many that had been recommended to us. All of our food was great and ended this meal by sharing one piece of Key lime pie(we were too full for individual pieces) and six forks.
Saturday was spent on the Conch train tour, lunch at "Blue Heaven" mentioned in "the book", where chickens and roosters are wandering around on the brick floor,(it's outside)roosting in the trees, live music, meringue on the Key lime pie four inches high(there will be a picture to prove it), roamed the streets looking in many of the hundreds of shops, the Butterfly Conservatory(which housed the most unusual collection of butterflies)and then ended our day at the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum, a treasure to see and read about. My, how you have admire someone like him. We do plan to visit his sons this week at the museum, where it's said, they come to work every day.
Ended the day with another meal together, then home, very tired, but pleased with all we had seen and done. Dread to see our home folks leave, but they said they must.
As I say every blog, " How wonderfully blessed I am to have this time to spend doing exactly what I choose to do, missing everyone, but realizing what an unusual opportunity I'm involved in.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Revisiting America
Lazy beginning of the week. I know you must hate the word "lazy" by now because when we use it, it means that we haven't been anywhere or done anything. We're just rambling on. But we excuse it to ourselves by saying that we are, after all, on vacation.
Wednesday morning, we went to the new home of FM 98.7's Fishmonster Radio. Fishmonster Magazine + 98.7 FM Conch Country = Fishmonster Radio. One of our neighbors works there and we went by to see her and perhaps meet Captain Marlin Scott who is a charter boat captain, the editor of Fishmonster Magazine, and the host of Fishmonster Radio. Capt. Scott was out on a charter but we got to meet Dianne Scott, his wife, and see our neighbor, Brooke. Also, Capt. Mike Bartlett was in the office helping to set up their computer system. Neat people, all. The magazine has had only two publications, January and February 2011, but it has been very well received. No wonder because is has something for everybody. Fishing regulations; a recipe page; a coloring contest for the kids; articles on different aspects of fishing, diving, snorkeling, and safety equipment for the aforementioned; and lots of pictures in color of fishermen (and women and children) and their catch. Dianne ran a Fishhead of the Month picture and when I asked her, "Why fishhead?" her reply was, "Why not?" She arranged for us to come by the station between 6:00 and 8:00 last night to be interviewed by Capt. Scott. We went and were very impressed by Capt. Scott and his oldest son, Capt. Seth Scott. Seth is 19, already has his captain's license, and is the producer of the radio show. We didn't meet Seth because he was at another location, but we talked to him. Quite a family. Anyway, we loved meeting and talking to Capt. Scott, on and off the air. Thanks to all of the Scott family for such an unusual and interesting experience.
Wednesday at noon, we went to St. Paul's Episcopal Church again for an organ concert. We heard the work of a baroque composer, a Londoner by the name of James Cook, who played the organ at Vauxhall Gardens for about 50 years and wrote approximately 15,000 compositions. Then we heard the score of "Oliver" on the piano. The huge windows of the sanctuary pivot open and it was very pleasantly cool. A really nice interlude.
Today, we are doing general housekeeping because we have company coming for the weekend. Rather, I'm cleaning and Lou is cooking and cleaning. Her energy level never ceases to amaze me. Lou is a Type A personality and I'm something like a D-. Still, we manage to get everything done and get along with each other (on the whole) in the process.
We'll blog after the weekend.
Love to one and all. Take care,
Janie
Wednesday morning, we went to the new home of FM 98.7's Fishmonster Radio. Fishmonster Magazine + 98.7 FM Conch Country = Fishmonster Radio. One of our neighbors works there and we went by to see her and perhaps meet Captain Marlin Scott who is a charter boat captain, the editor of Fishmonster Magazine, and the host of Fishmonster Radio. Capt. Scott was out on a charter but we got to meet Dianne Scott, his wife, and see our neighbor, Brooke. Also, Capt. Mike Bartlett was in the office helping to set up their computer system. Neat people, all. The magazine has had only two publications, January and February 2011, but it has been very well received. No wonder because is has something for everybody. Fishing regulations; a recipe page; a coloring contest for the kids; articles on different aspects of fishing, diving, snorkeling, and safety equipment for the aforementioned; and lots of pictures in color of fishermen (and women and children) and their catch. Dianne ran a Fishhead of the Month picture and when I asked her, "Why fishhead?" her reply was, "Why not?" She arranged for us to come by the station between 6:00 and 8:00 last night to be interviewed by Capt. Scott. We went and were very impressed by Capt. Scott and his oldest son, Capt. Seth Scott. Seth is 19, already has his captain's license, and is the producer of the radio show. We didn't meet Seth because he was at another location, but we talked to him. Quite a family. Anyway, we loved meeting and talking to Capt. Scott, on and off the air. Thanks to all of the Scott family for such an unusual and interesting experience.
Wednesday at noon, we went to St. Paul's Episcopal Church again for an organ concert. We heard the work of a baroque composer, a Londoner by the name of James Cook, who played the organ at Vauxhall Gardens for about 50 years and wrote approximately 15,000 compositions. Then we heard the score of "Oliver" on the piano. The huge windows of the sanctuary pivot open and it was very pleasantly cool. A really nice interlude.
Today, we are doing general housekeeping because we have company coming for the weekend. Rather, I'm cleaning and Lou is cooking and cleaning. Her energy level never ceases to amaze me. Lou is a Type A personality and I'm something like a D-. Still, we manage to get everything done and get along with each other (on the whole) in the process.
We'll blog after the weekend.
Love to one and all. Take care,
Janie
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Revisiting America
How can the weather get better than this? The skies are absolutely the bluest, the few wispy clouds the whitest, the water, mixtures of green and blue, so clear, the temperature 60 in the morning and now at 3:30 p.m. only 70. It's almost perfect. Great for my morning walks and getting out any time of day without getting hot. February is surely the ideal time to be in Key West!
These last two days have been so lazy for us. Getting reservations for the next two months has taken Janie's time, but we are booked for South Carolina in March, and North Carolina in April.
Our neighbor is the office manager for a magazine, "The FISHMONSTER", the Fishing, Diving, and Boating Magazine of the Florida Keys, so we plan to visit with her tomorrow and talk to several of the charter boat captains. It's only the second issue of the magazine but from all accounts, well received and a much needed source of information. Also, Janie has made contact with Mel Fisher's son and we hope to interview him in the next several days. We will at least visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum if we aren't able to see the son.
Sunday, we visited St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Key West. Again, a beautiful old church,
begun in 1831 at the request of the City Council in a petition to The Right Reverend Benjamin T. Onderdonk, The Bishop of New York, to send a priest and establish a parish. The first service was held on Christmas Day, 1832, and on that day the congregation signed the "Act of Association" of the Episcopal congregation in Key West to be called St. Paul's Church. It was a very different experience.
I'm sure very worshipful for those accustomed to the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal. Even following the program it was difficult to keep up with everything, which book to use, when to sit or stand, so I remained seated, listened carefully and enjoyed the service.
We had a very definite reason for attending this church. As we parked at a Publix store in Key West
Saturday afternoon, someone tapped on the car window. A man introduced himself to us, Dave Norwood from Jackson, Alabama. He said it was the first time in the twelve years he has been here that he has seen a Washington County car tag, and had to know who we were. He invited us to church on Sunday and said we would enjoy the wonderful organ music, which we did. The organist gives a free concert each day at noon and we will go hear him again. Amazing the things we have encountered.
Janie calls them "serendipities", so for lack of a better word, they are.
We have visitors coming this weekend- looking forward to seeing them and doing some of the things we have planned to do, but waiting on them rather than doing them twice.
OH MY! "Iggy"has been hidden until yesterday, and then has been " bobbing" almost non-stop for the two days. There is another "iggy" in the picture that Janie has named "Sugar" since we're on Sugarloaf Key, and they seem to be chasing one another and bobbing a lot, and I know I became irritated today while sunning because Iggy kept coming closer to me and bobbing. The last I saw of him ( I guess Iggy's a "he") he climbed the tree right by the steps I have to use to get in the house. Well, I am blogging, so I got in the house safely. They are the strangest and really the ugliest creatures I've ever seen, but, God did make them, so, there must be a reason for them being here. I guess I'm the one invading their territory.
For all of those of you that know some of my family, I must announce that Jeremy and April Beech have a baby girl, Lillian Paige, born Friday, February, 11, 2011. I keep reminding my grandchildren that I'm not old enough to be a great grandmother, but, how wonderful the baby is here, and both mother and father, two big brothers and baby are doing great.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
God Bless!
Lou
sa
These last two days have been so lazy for us. Getting reservations for the next two months has taken Janie's time, but we are booked for South Carolina in March, and North Carolina in April.
Our neighbor is the office manager for a magazine, "The FISHMONSTER", the Fishing, Diving, and Boating Magazine of the Florida Keys, so we plan to visit with her tomorrow and talk to several of the charter boat captains. It's only the second issue of the magazine but from all accounts, well received and a much needed source of information. Also, Janie has made contact with Mel Fisher's son and we hope to interview him in the next several days. We will at least visit the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum if we aren't able to see the son.
Sunday, we visited St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Key West. Again, a beautiful old church,
begun in 1831 at the request of the City Council in a petition to The Right Reverend Benjamin T. Onderdonk, The Bishop of New York, to send a priest and establish a parish. The first service was held on Christmas Day, 1832, and on that day the congregation signed the "Act of Association" of the Episcopal congregation in Key West to be called St. Paul's Church. It was a very different experience.
I'm sure very worshipful for those accustomed to the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal. Even following the program it was difficult to keep up with everything, which book to use, when to sit or stand, so I remained seated, listened carefully and enjoyed the service.
We had a very definite reason for attending this church. As we parked at a Publix store in Key West
Saturday afternoon, someone tapped on the car window. A man introduced himself to us, Dave Norwood from Jackson, Alabama. He said it was the first time in the twelve years he has been here that he has seen a Washington County car tag, and had to know who we were. He invited us to church on Sunday and said we would enjoy the wonderful organ music, which we did. The organist gives a free concert each day at noon and we will go hear him again. Amazing the things we have encountered.
Janie calls them "serendipities", so for lack of a better word, they are.
We have visitors coming this weekend- looking forward to seeing them and doing some of the things we have planned to do, but waiting on them rather than doing them twice.
OH MY! "Iggy"has been hidden until yesterday, and then has been " bobbing" almost non-stop for the two days. There is another "iggy" in the picture that Janie has named "Sugar" since we're on Sugarloaf Key, and they seem to be chasing one another and bobbing a lot, and I know I became irritated today while sunning because Iggy kept coming closer to me and bobbing. The last I saw of him ( I guess Iggy's a "he") he climbed the tree right by the steps I have to use to get in the house. Well, I am blogging, so I got in the house safely. They are the strangest and really the ugliest creatures I've ever seen, but, God did make them, so, there must be a reason for them being here. I guess I'm the one invading their territory.
For all of those of you that know some of my family, I must announce that Jeremy and April Beech have a baby girl, Lillian Paige, born Friday, February, 11, 2011. I keep reminding my grandchildren that I'm not old enough to be a great grandmother, but, how wonderful the baby is here, and both mother and father, two big brothers and baby are doing great.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
God Bless!
Lou
sa
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Revisiting America
Well, I missed the rain. Friday was overcast and windy all day, but we didn't ever get a drop of the promised rain. Then Saturday afternoon, Lou and I went into Key West. It started raining, not hard, as we pulled out of the driveway, and was over by the time we got home. So I still haven't seen or heard the rain hit the water and the palms. Maybe before we leave.
Friday was one of those days when we did some housekeeping, played cards, watched a movie on TV, and looked for Iggy. He didn't show himself. Guess it wasn't his favorite kind of weather. He seems to prefer bright sunshine and gentle breezes. Me, too.
Saturday, when in Key West, we visited Walgreen's, K-Mart, and Publix. This you can do in any part of the country so it wasn't particularly geared toward Key West. But these stores are located on Roosevelt Boulevard in the southernmost city in the US, and you see the Gulf, the Atlantic, and lots of palm trees. The day was considered a winter's day by the locals because the temp was below 60, the sky was overcast, and the wind was blowing pretty hard. When we talked to our family in Birmingham, the temp there was 17 a couple of nights before and remnants of snow still remained in shadowed places on the lawn.
Today, the weather is still a little bit cooler, the wind is merely a breeze, the sky is blue, and the sunshine is bright. We went to church this morning at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Duval in Key West. The sanctuary was very beautiful and the service was "high church" which was a little confusing to Lou and me, being the Baptist-raised Southerners that we are. Still, we enjoyed the experience very much. For the first time in my life, I saw a dog in church. The lady who brought her (a golden retriever named Amanda) is training her as a service dog. Amanda was very well behaved all through church and also during her trip to the altar while her trainer took communion. I thought it was wonderful. The congregation seemed to accept her and, again, she was a very good dog.
Our visitors from Alabama who came to New Orleans are coming to Key West later this week. Lou and I are really looking forward to seeing them. They are loads of fun and we can use a break from seeing only each other almost 24/7.
There are still a lot of activities coming up for us here before we leave. We have lists of things we want to see and do. The list would be a lot longer if we had more funds. Such as, taking a side trip to Cuba which is only 90 miles away. So near and yet so far.
More later this week.
Janie
Friday was one of those days when we did some housekeeping, played cards, watched a movie on TV, and looked for Iggy. He didn't show himself. Guess it wasn't his favorite kind of weather. He seems to prefer bright sunshine and gentle breezes. Me, too.
Saturday, when in Key West, we visited Walgreen's, K-Mart, and Publix. This you can do in any part of the country so it wasn't particularly geared toward Key West. But these stores are located on Roosevelt Boulevard in the southernmost city in the US, and you see the Gulf, the Atlantic, and lots of palm trees. The day was considered a winter's day by the locals because the temp was below 60, the sky was overcast, and the wind was blowing pretty hard. When we talked to our family in Birmingham, the temp there was 17 a couple of nights before and remnants of snow still remained in shadowed places on the lawn.
Today, the weather is still a little bit cooler, the wind is merely a breeze, the sky is blue, and the sunshine is bright. We went to church this morning at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Duval in Key West. The sanctuary was very beautiful and the service was "high church" which was a little confusing to Lou and me, being the Baptist-raised Southerners that we are. Still, we enjoyed the experience very much. For the first time in my life, I saw a dog in church. The lady who brought her (a golden retriever named Amanda) is training her as a service dog. Amanda was very well behaved all through church and also during her trip to the altar while her trainer took communion. I thought it was wonderful. The congregation seemed to accept her and, again, she was a very good dog.
Our visitors from Alabama who came to New Orleans are coming to Key West later this week. Lou and I are really looking forward to seeing them. They are loads of fun and we can use a break from seeing only each other almost 24/7.
There are still a lot of activities coming up for us here before we leave. We have lists of things we want to see and do. The list would be a lot longer if we had more funds. Such as, taking a side trip to Cuba which is only 90 miles away. So near and yet so far.
More later this week.
Janie
Friday, February 11, 2011
Revisiting America
Today is overcast. Such a change. The sky is completely gray and the palm fronds are barely moving. But one of our neighbors said that we need rain. So be it. I'm actually looking forward to seeing rain hit the canal and hearing it hit the palms. Plan to sit on the balcony for a while when it comes.
We had a couple of uneventful days, then started going into Key West. Tuesday we got haircuts, went to Radio Shack for help with the camera (there is no camera shop on Key West), then headed downtown. Lunch first, of course. Ate at the Blue Heaven restaurant Kuralt mentioned. Really quaint place. Sat on the patio and watched the roosters run around. Two roosters (one of them pretty big) jumped from limb to limb in a tree near our table and crowed. Apparently these roosters crow at other times than daylight. Back to the food. Excellent. Lou and I had butter-sauteed shrimp with the same preparation for squash, zucchini, and onion; refried black beans; brown rice; asparagus spears; diced tomatoes; and a huge wedge of freshly-baked cornbread (huge). So good. Kuralt said that breakfast there is their best meal, but I don't see how it could beat lunch. Lou and I retained our membership in the clean-plate-club. We even shared a piece of key lime pie. Came with a 3-1/2-" to 4-" high meringue. Incredible. We drove around a little while after lunch, then came home.
On Wednesday, we went into town again. Rode the little yellow Conch Tour Train and had a great time. B. J. was our engineer/guide and a very good one. Learned a lot about the history of the island - politics, geography, culture, etc. Olde Town is the part of the island formed by nature. New Town is the man-made part. After we finished the tour train ride, we, ------- get ready for it, -------- ate lunch. We were at Mallory Square (a favorite spot for sunset watching) and ate at Red Fish Blue Fish at a booth in a big window opening without the glass. This time, we had pigeons again. All of these roosters and pigeons must love living in Key West. Where else do they get this much freedom? Anyway, my shrimp po' boy was great - lots and lots of small, succulent shrimp. We didn't get any dessert and only talked about getting ice cream. Ice cream shops abound. No surprise there. After walking around Mallory Square for a little bit, we headed home. We had the same driver on the "tour bus" that took us to and from the train stop. His name is Willy Kelly. He is a transplanted Brit and a super nice guy. Loved the accent. His son came to Key West in 1996 as the start of a USA tour, but never left Key West. Willy and family visited through the years, then moved here in 2004. Key West is very seductive like that. I've already told you that I could happily stay here.
I saw Iggy yesterday afternoon on the cement "dock" across the canal. All of a sudden, a smaller iguana appeared. Since Iggy immediately started chasing the other iguana, I think maybe Iggy is a male and the newcomer a female. After she? disappeared into the bushes, Iggy stayed on the dock and tried to communicate by shaking his head and dewlap up and down. No answer. After trying a few more times, Iggy moved to the edge of the dock and, I swear, hung his head and dewlap over the edge. You could almost hear him saying, "Woe is me." Our neighbors, Wayne and Chuck, call him Rusty because of his orange feet and dewlap. I wanted to call him Sugar because we found him on Sugarloaf Key. Maybe the female should be named Sugar. Anyway, our iguana population is growing.
Still overcast and warm, but no rain yet. I'll keep you posted.
Janie
We had a couple of uneventful days, then started going into Key West. Tuesday we got haircuts, went to Radio Shack for help with the camera (there is no camera shop on Key West), then headed downtown. Lunch first, of course. Ate at the Blue Heaven restaurant Kuralt mentioned. Really quaint place. Sat on the patio and watched the roosters run around. Two roosters (one of them pretty big) jumped from limb to limb in a tree near our table and crowed. Apparently these roosters crow at other times than daylight. Back to the food. Excellent. Lou and I had butter-sauteed shrimp with the same preparation for squash, zucchini, and onion; refried black beans; brown rice; asparagus spears; diced tomatoes; and a huge wedge of freshly-baked cornbread (huge). So good. Kuralt said that breakfast there is their best meal, but I don't see how it could beat lunch. Lou and I retained our membership in the clean-plate-club. We even shared a piece of key lime pie. Came with a 3-1/2-" to 4-" high meringue. Incredible. We drove around a little while after lunch, then came home.
On Wednesday, we went into town again. Rode the little yellow Conch Tour Train and had a great time. B. J. was our engineer/guide and a very good one. Learned a lot about the history of the island - politics, geography, culture, etc. Olde Town is the part of the island formed by nature. New Town is the man-made part. After we finished the tour train ride, we, ------- get ready for it, -------- ate lunch. We were at Mallory Square (a favorite spot for sunset watching) and ate at Red Fish Blue Fish at a booth in a big window opening without the glass. This time, we had pigeons again. All of these roosters and pigeons must love living in Key West. Where else do they get this much freedom? Anyway, my shrimp po' boy was great - lots and lots of small, succulent shrimp. We didn't get any dessert and only talked about getting ice cream. Ice cream shops abound. No surprise there. After walking around Mallory Square for a little bit, we headed home. We had the same driver on the "tour bus" that took us to and from the train stop. His name is Willy Kelly. He is a transplanted Brit and a super nice guy. Loved the accent. His son came to Key West in 1996 as the start of a USA tour, but never left Key West. Willy and family visited through the years, then moved here in 2004. Key West is very seductive like that. I've already told you that I could happily stay here.
I saw Iggy yesterday afternoon on the cement "dock" across the canal. All of a sudden, a smaller iguana appeared. Since Iggy immediately started chasing the other iguana, I think maybe Iggy is a male and the newcomer a female. After she? disappeared into the bushes, Iggy stayed on the dock and tried to communicate by shaking his head and dewlap up and down. No answer. After trying a few more times, Iggy moved to the edge of the dock and, I swear, hung his head and dewlap over the edge. You could almost hear him saying, "Woe is me." Our neighbors, Wayne and Chuck, call him Rusty because of his orange feet and dewlap. I wanted to call him Sugar because we found him on Sugarloaf Key. Maybe the female should be named Sugar. Anyway, our iguana population is growing.
Still overcast and warm, but no rain yet. I'll keep you posted.
Janie
Revisiting America
Found "iggy" yesterday after a two-day absence, and have decided that regardless of what kind of creature we are, we are habitual creatures, eating three meals a day, sunning, lazying around.
That's where I always find "iggy", in the sun. He is hard to spot though because the "dewlap" (remember) is the same color as the leaves on the ground. Anyway, he is still with us. Our neighbors call him "Rusty".
It doesn't take long to become part of a neighborhood. We now know every one on the street-Wayne and Chuck, Jane and Debbie, Brad, Brooke, Cade and Grayden. All such nice people.
With boats and dogs, everyone becomes acquainted quickly. We have been invited on a boating outing with Chuck and Wayne next week, to check their crab traps. Imagine me doing that, when at home I won't even stick my toe in the Gulf. This is different.
My walk this morning was uneventful, but am seeing some familiar faces-the same "dog-walkers"(love the posted signs that say, "You must clean up after your dog") children catching the school bus( this is Monroe County, which sounds so "Alabama", when the streets have such beautiful names, like, Starfish ( our street), LaBrisa, Allamanda), but like "iggy" and I, a routine. Have to keep up my walking because the food is so good.
We like Key West. Went into town and thank goodness my driving is a little easier, in other words, the streets are more familiar, and I haven't gone the wrong way on a street in this city. Enjoyed our guided tour on the "Conch Tour Train", which lasted 90 minutes and covered the historic part of the city, the beautiful wharf area with sailing and cruise ships docked, Fifth-Avenue shops, so many restaurants
where we've already had delicious meals, and so many people who look even more "tourister" ( is that a word?) than we do. All the service people are so nice and helpful. Plan to go in today and stay for the "sunset" which is a must, everyone says.( Did you notice I've found the "underline key)?
There is so much about the city that we'll tell later in a re-cap before we leave.
We do hope we have visitors. Several are working on a trip so hope it pans out.
Bye for now.
That's where I always find "iggy", in the sun. He is hard to spot though because the "dewlap" (remember) is the same color as the leaves on the ground. Anyway, he is still with us. Our neighbors call him "Rusty".
It doesn't take long to become part of a neighborhood. We now know every one on the street-Wayne and Chuck, Jane and Debbie, Brad, Brooke, Cade and Grayden. All such nice people.
With boats and dogs, everyone becomes acquainted quickly. We have been invited on a boating outing with Chuck and Wayne next week, to check their crab traps. Imagine me doing that, when at home I won't even stick my toe in the Gulf. This is different.
My walk this morning was uneventful, but am seeing some familiar faces-the same "dog-walkers"(love the posted signs that say, "You must clean up after your dog") children catching the school bus( this is Monroe County, which sounds so "Alabama", when the streets have such beautiful names, like, Starfish ( our street), LaBrisa, Allamanda), but like "iggy" and I, a routine. Have to keep up my walking because the food is so good.
We like Key West. Went into town and thank goodness my driving is a little easier, in other words, the streets are more familiar, and I haven't gone the wrong way on a street in this city. Enjoyed our guided tour on the "Conch Tour Train", which lasted 90 minutes and covered the historic part of the city, the beautiful wharf area with sailing and cruise ships docked, Fifth-Avenue shops, so many restaurants
where we've already had delicious meals, and so many people who look even more "tourister" ( is that a word?) than we do. All the service people are so nice and helpful. Plan to go in today and stay for the "sunset" which is a must, everyone says.( Did you notice I've found the "underline key)?
There is so much about the city that we'll tell later in a re-cap before we leave.
We do hope we have visitors. Several are working on a trip so hope it pans out.
Bye for now.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Revisiting America
Since you are so interested in my iguana friend who will be called "iggy" from now on, Janie, who is the "techie" is now able to post pictures with our blog. 
As I started down the back steps to sun, noticed "iggy" sunning on a big rock on the edge of the canal. So, I debated how close I might get in order to take a picture-not very close I'll assure you, but "iggy" began to puff her sack and bob her head and since I haven't figured out what her bobs mean, whether they are social or hostile bobs, I didn't get very close. The picture is pretty good though, and will give you an idea about why I'm keeping my distance. Maybe the bobs will become clearer the longer we encounter one another. Anyway, I sunned and "iggy" went on her way. Never thought of an iguana as a pet before, but at least I know there's not room for her in the car.
Revisiting America
Yesterday, Sunday, February 6, I attended Sugarloaf Baptist Church which had 38 in Bible study, 63 in worship service the previous Sunday. Nice people, a good mixture of adult and children, many activities for all age groups, no choir, a pianist about my age, young girls leading the singing, and a very good message, from John 10: 1-10, concerning True Abundance. Jesus is the only door ro rhe presence of God, and Jesus is the only door to abundance. Wonderful reminder of the greatness and wonder of God.
Had planned to spend the afternoon doing nothing but after a computer check we discovered the computer wasn't working. This prompted a trip to Marathon only to prove the computer was okay but our plug-in was faulty. Why not go the grocery while we're in Marathon rather than another trip another day?
Have established somewhat of a routine each morning, walking my two and a half miles, but what a difference in the scenery. I'm walking down a wide, palm-tree-lined street, every size, style, color house you can imagine, beautiful yards, many people out walking, riding bikes, leading dogs, children waiting on the school bus, 70o temperature, every one speaking. What more could you ask? Betty Dumas, I apologize for the "run-on" sentences, but that is how I write.
Very interesting information on the Sabal palm tree, the state tree of both Florida, and South Carolina, our next month. In 1970 the State of Florida approved legislation which replaced the cocoa tree on the Great Seal of Florida with the sabal palm as the state tree. Thought you would like to know that. This palm is also known as the cabbage or palmetto palm, one of 15 species of the palmetto palm. They grow up to 65 feet in height with a trunk up to 2 feet in diameter. The flowers are yellowish-white, produced in large compound panicles up to 8.2 feet long that extend out beyond the leaves. The tree is very cold-hardy and is tolerant of drought, standing and brackish water, but thrives on regular light watering and regular feeding, tolerant of salt winds, but not saltwater flooding. This palm is one of several palm species that is sometimes used to make heart of palm salad, but when the heart is extracted this kills the palm because the terminal bud is the only point from which the palm can grow, the palm would not be able to replace old leaves, and would eventually die. They have good hurricane resistance, but are often over-pruned. Most yards have some dead fronds lying around.
My next information concerns the competition I'm having with a "green iguana" for the yard space facing the canal. Like to sit in the sun or lay around and sun, but haven't been too sure about the movement of the iguana should it decide to wander over where I am. A herbivore, that grows up to 4.9 feet in length, and could average a bodyweight of 20 pounds, is commonly found in captivity as a pet, due to its calm disposition and bright colors. They are not on the endangered species list, but their trade is controlled so as not to harm the species in the future. They are popular in the pet trade and as a food source in Latin America, or could it be some of the Key West meat I'm eating?
Green iguanas are often found near water, agile climbers that can fall up to 50 feet and land unhurt because they use their hand leg claws to clasp leaves and branches to break a fall , prefer to stay on the ground for warmth during cold, wet weather, remain submerged when swimming letting their four legs hang limply against their side, but propel through the water with tail strokes.
These iguanas come in different colors, bluish with bold black markings, green to lavender, black, and even pink. Many are bright blue as babies that lose this color as they get older.
They possess a row of spines along their backs and tails which helps to protect them from predators. Their spines can deliver painful strikes and like many other lizards, when grabbed by the tail, allow it to break, escape, and eventually regenerate a new tail. Iguanas have well developed dewlaps( a large sac hanging from the head) which regulate their body temperature, and also use this in their courtships and territorial displays. Their vision is excellent, enabling them to detect shapes and motions at long distances.( I will lay still while sunning). Their very sharp teeth are capable of shredding leaves, even human skin(whoops).
If frightened the iguanas will attempt to flee, and if near water, dive into it and swim away. If cornered by a threat, they extend and display the dewlap, which I've told you about, stiffen and puff up its body, hiss, and bob its head at the agressor. If the threats persists the iguana lashes with its tail, bites and uses its claws in defense. "Head bobs, and dewlaps are used in social interactions, such as greeting one another, or possibly to court a mate, The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas. Think I'll try this out on Janie. Well, now you know what I'm facing to be able to sun. So far today, he's not even shown himself so maybe I'm safe. I'm a fast walker and have timed myself to get to the steps before he can move, or I can keep some leaves, flowers, fruit and some growing shoots of over 100 different species of plants they eat near me to throw at him. So, after this long dissertation about the iguana, I'm on my way to the yard for a sun. Tomorrow, we have contacts in Key West, haircuts scheduled, I've been trimming my own so that has to change, and just sock up more of this wonderful atmosphere.
Had planned to spend the afternoon doing nothing but after a computer check we discovered the computer wasn't working. This prompted a trip to Marathon only to prove the computer was okay but our plug-in was faulty. Why not go the grocery while we're in Marathon rather than another trip another day?
Have established somewhat of a routine each morning, walking my two and a half miles, but what a difference in the scenery. I'm walking down a wide, palm-tree-lined street, every size, style, color house you can imagine, beautiful yards, many people out walking, riding bikes, leading dogs, children waiting on the school bus, 70o temperature, every one speaking. What more could you ask? Betty Dumas, I apologize for the "run-on" sentences, but that is how I write.
Very interesting information on the Sabal palm tree, the state tree of both Florida, and South Carolina, our next month. In 1970 the State of Florida approved legislation which replaced the cocoa tree on the Great Seal of Florida with the sabal palm as the state tree. Thought you would like to know that. This palm is also known as the cabbage or palmetto palm, one of 15 species of the palmetto palm. They grow up to 65 feet in height with a trunk up to 2 feet in diameter. The flowers are yellowish-white, produced in large compound panicles up to 8.2 feet long that extend out beyond the leaves. The tree is very cold-hardy and is tolerant of drought, standing and brackish water, but thrives on regular light watering and regular feeding, tolerant of salt winds, but not saltwater flooding. This palm is one of several palm species that is sometimes used to make heart of palm salad, but when the heart is extracted this kills the palm because the terminal bud is the only point from which the palm can grow, the palm would not be able to replace old leaves, and would eventually die. They have good hurricane resistance, but are often over-pruned. Most yards have some dead fronds lying around.
My next information concerns the competition I'm having with a "green iguana" for the yard space facing the canal. Like to sit in the sun or lay around and sun, but haven't been too sure about the movement of the iguana should it decide to wander over where I am. A herbivore, that grows up to 4.9 feet in length, and could average a bodyweight of 20 pounds, is commonly found in captivity as a pet, due to its calm disposition and bright colors. They are not on the endangered species list, but their trade is controlled so as not to harm the species in the future. They are popular in the pet trade and as a food source in Latin America, or could it be some of the Key West meat I'm eating?
Green iguanas are often found near water, agile climbers that can fall up to 50 feet and land unhurt because they use their hand leg claws to clasp leaves and branches to break a fall , prefer to stay on the ground for warmth during cold, wet weather, remain submerged when swimming letting their four legs hang limply against their side, but propel through the water with tail strokes.
These iguanas come in different colors, bluish with bold black markings, green to lavender, black, and even pink. Many are bright blue as babies that lose this color as they get older.
They possess a row of spines along their backs and tails which helps to protect them from predators. Their spines can deliver painful strikes and like many other lizards, when grabbed by the tail, allow it to break, escape, and eventually regenerate a new tail. Iguanas have well developed dewlaps( a large sac hanging from the head) which regulate their body temperature, and also use this in their courtships and territorial displays. Their vision is excellent, enabling them to detect shapes and motions at long distances.( I will lay still while sunning). Their very sharp teeth are capable of shredding leaves, even human skin(whoops).
If frightened the iguanas will attempt to flee, and if near water, dive into it and swim away. If cornered by a threat, they extend and display the dewlap, which I've told you about, stiffen and puff up its body, hiss, and bob its head at the agressor. If the threats persists the iguana lashes with its tail, bites and uses its claws in defense. "Head bobs, and dewlaps are used in social interactions, such as greeting one another, or possibly to court a mate, The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas. Think I'll try this out on Janie. Well, now you know what I'm facing to be able to sun. So far today, he's not even shown himself so maybe I'm safe. I'm a fast walker and have timed myself to get to the steps before he can move, or I can keep some leaves, flowers, fruit and some growing shoots of over 100 different species of plants they eat near me to throw at him. So, after this long dissertation about the iguana, I'm on my way to the yard for a sun. Tomorrow, we have contacts in Key West, haircuts scheduled, I've been trimming my own so that has to change, and just sock up more of this wonderful atmosphere.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Revisiting America
No, we haven't cancelled the trip and headed home; we've just been without WIFI while traveling. It's been another adventure just leaving New Orleans and driving to the Keys. So different! New Orleans is a city with tall buildings, traffic, crowds (still wonderful), and the Keys are so open, so much blue sky and sunshine. I happen to love both venues.
The drive was uneventful and very pleasant, just long. Visited with some of Lou's family near Mobile and had a great time. So good to see family that I hadn't seen in a long time. Thanks for coming to see us. Stopped for a couple of nights on the road, then reached Sugarloaf Key and our cottage. Such a neat place - one bedroom with a king-size bed, a living/kitchen area and a bathroom with a large closet area. Melinda Escalante and Frank Madiedo were our landlords and such great people. We also met Mel's son Alexander, but he left the next day going to New Orleans for a job.
After we settled in the cottage, we realized that we have two different sets of people coming to visit, and we had no room for them. So we went into Key West and, after lunch (of course), we walked to a couple of properties. Soon found out that actually staying in Key West would be much too expensive for our year-long travel budget. By the way, lunch was at the Southernmost Beach Cafe and Bar. Great shrimp quesadilla and good key lime pie.
On the way back to the cottage, we stopped at a realtor's office on Sugarloaf. She had pictures she had just taken of a house for rent. She had not even had time to list it yet. We immediately came to see it, fell in love, and went back to her office and signed the papers. Two bedrooms (one for our company), large kitchen/dining/living area, all outside walls are glass, balcony with screening to keep out the bugs on three sides of the house. Also, parking and extra storage downstairs. We packed and moved the next day, which was yesterday. We're on a canal but can look through the foliage to see Sugarloaf Bay. Just beautiful.
Of course, we have palm trees (several varieties), ficus trees, flowering shrubs, hibiscus, etc.
If the rest of the trip is anything like our experiences so far, this will be the trip of a lifetime. The Keys are so laid-back, we have already discussed just staying here and visiting the rest of the agenda by phone.
More later, if we have time left after lounging in the sun.
Janie
The drive was uneventful and very pleasant, just long. Visited with some of Lou's family near Mobile and had a great time. So good to see family that I hadn't seen in a long time. Thanks for coming to see us. Stopped for a couple of nights on the road, then reached Sugarloaf Key and our cottage. Such a neat place - one bedroom with a king-size bed, a living/kitchen area and a bathroom with a large closet area. Melinda Escalante and Frank Madiedo were our landlords and such great people. We also met Mel's son Alexander, but he left the next day going to New Orleans for a job.
After we settled in the cottage, we realized that we have two different sets of people coming to visit, and we had no room for them. So we went into Key West and, after lunch (of course), we walked to a couple of properties. Soon found out that actually staying in Key West would be much too expensive for our year-long travel budget. By the way, lunch was at the Southernmost Beach Cafe and Bar. Great shrimp quesadilla and good key lime pie.
On the way back to the cottage, we stopped at a realtor's office on Sugarloaf. She had pictures she had just taken of a house for rent. She had not even had time to list it yet. We immediately came to see it, fell in love, and went back to her office and signed the papers. Two bedrooms (one for our company), large kitchen/dining/living area, all outside walls are glass, balcony with screening to keep out the bugs on three sides of the house. Also, parking and extra storage downstairs. We packed and moved the next day, which was yesterday. We're on a canal but can look through the foliage to see Sugarloaf Bay. Just beautiful.
Of course, we have palm trees (several varieties), ficus trees, flowering shrubs, hibiscus, etc.
If the rest of the trip is anything like our experiences so far, this will be the trip of a lifetime. The Keys are so laid-back, we have already discussed just staying here and visiting the rest of the agenda by phone.
More later, if we have time left after lounging in the sun.
Janie
Revisiting America
We're supposed to be packing less and less, but it seems our"things" continue to grow. Spent all day Friday, Jan. 28, packing and sorting to be able to get everything in the car, without renting a "U-Haul". Remember, Janie and I met up in NO and this is the first time we've combined our "stuff" in one space. It did work, and we left Kenner around 10:00 a.m. for our stop in Creola to meet family. One month of this adventure has passed, the time really flies, but we're excited about our next stop!
How special that Robby, Lou Ann, Meagan, Kay, Ellene, Sydney, Nicky, John Nathan, Marissa and Sway, would spend some of their Saturday time to meet us. It was fun and everyone seemed to be doing great!
There's not a lot to tell about our drive to Key West; we did spend two nights on the road, and looked forward to a change of scenery, and it did change the closer we came to the Keys. Only one road, two lane traffic, but beautiful water, skies, openness, and an excitement about what our accomodations would be. We checked in with Mel and Frank and began the job of unpacking.( I do promise not to bore you everytime we pack and unpack). Mel and Frank, so nice, so eager to please, but,we began to feel like our "space" would not accomodate our visitors, because some family and friends have promised they will visit. So!
We made our first trip into Key West. It really looked like I thought. Some parts so very old, mixed in with the very new, but all very clean, and how could it look too bad with the beautiful sand, sea, and sunshine. Ate lunch at the Southernmost Beach and Cafe and enjoyed topping it off with Key Lime Pie. (Belinda, yours is better). We actually just scouted out some things we plan to schedule to see and do. Checked out several Realities, hoping they could offer something we could afford, and be a reasonable distance from Key West, but they had nothing available. Almost in to Sugarloaf Key Janie said, "Lou, there's a realtor, STOP! We did, went in and Mia was just listing a two bedroom, one bath, large living, kitchen, dining space, balcony on three sides, screened, about eight feet wide, then, all the outside walls of the house are sliding glass doors so there's a continuous breeze, no bugs, large wall-mounted TV, WIFI hook-up, washer, dryer, storage room and parking underneath, a real canal, and we're all packed up, moved-in, and settled again. So, for at least the next 22 days we are set, ready to begin our search for people, places, and of course, wonderful food.
We are at the end of the road of the United States.
How special that Robby, Lou Ann, Meagan, Kay, Ellene, Sydney, Nicky, John Nathan, Marissa and Sway, would spend some of their Saturday time to meet us. It was fun and everyone seemed to be doing great!
There's not a lot to tell about our drive to Key West; we did spend two nights on the road, and looked forward to a change of scenery, and it did change the closer we came to the Keys. Only one road, two lane traffic, but beautiful water, skies, openness, and an excitement about what our accomodations would be. We checked in with Mel and Frank and began the job of unpacking.( I do promise not to bore you everytime we pack and unpack). Mel and Frank, so nice, so eager to please, but,we began to feel like our "space" would not accomodate our visitors, because some family and friends have promised they will visit. So!
We made our first trip into Key West. It really looked like I thought. Some parts so very old, mixed in with the very new, but all very clean, and how could it look too bad with the beautiful sand, sea, and sunshine. Ate lunch at the Southernmost Beach and Cafe and enjoyed topping it off with Key Lime Pie. (Belinda, yours is better). We actually just scouted out some things we plan to schedule to see and do. Checked out several Realities, hoping they could offer something we could afford, and be a reasonable distance from Key West, but they had nothing available. Almost in to Sugarloaf Key Janie said, "Lou, there's a realtor, STOP! We did, went in and Mia was just listing a two bedroom, one bath, large living, kitchen, dining space, balcony on three sides, screened, about eight feet wide, then, all the outside walls of the house are sliding glass doors so there's a continuous breeze, no bugs, large wall-mounted TV, WIFI hook-up, washer, dryer, storage room and parking underneath, a real canal, and we're all packed up, moved-in, and settled again. So, for at least the next 22 days we are set, ready to begin our search for people, places, and of course, wonderful food.
We are at the end of the road of the United States.
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