Revisiting America

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!