Big Pine Key, Florida

February 8 - 15, 2010

Sunshine Key RV Resort

Big Pine Key, Florida

We left the lush, private sites at Bluewater for the bland, tight sites here at Sunshine. Really can't complain, though, as you get what you pay for. We are comfortable here and the cost was less than half (that may be what creates the comfort!) And, what a beautiful new pool!

Shortly after arriving we heard from Jen back on Cape Cod who informed us Wednesday was bringing a nor'easter with a foot of snow predicted. We checked with the airlines and were able to change Sarah's flight so she could get home before the storm started...but now we really miss her!!

We returned to Duval Street to poke around one more time and stopped for lunch at Hog's Breath Saloon. All the bars, especially those with outdoor seating, are a lot of fun and even though the food couldn't match that of J. R. Brody's, we enjoyed our time there followed by a little more sightseeing and picture-taking before leaving Sarah at the airport for her trip home.

And, of course, she had to say goodbye to all those roaming roosters.

Next morning the storm topped the Miami news and all flights from Miami to Boston were cancelled!

After spending a day in a funk missing Sarah, we again returned to Key West to join the Cosmic Cousins for dinner at Benihana's on the beach (ahhhh, warm saki; love it!) . Of cource, we enjoyed every minute and every mouthful, but it's time for me to remember I'm not on vacation and I need to watch what I eat!!!

Extreme exercise time is required.

The weather has been so-so: very, very windy and mostly cloudy. I really can't complain about the 60+ degree days as the rest of the country seems to be in the 40's. What a crazy winter this has been.

So, we've spent some time in the cleaning mode...refrigerator, car, etc. I have washed almost every piece of clothing, sheets and towels. On today's agenda is a thorough cleaning of the oven. Even in paradise, some things never change!

We ended our stay here at Sunshine Key RV with yet another trip to Key West for some more sightseeing with Susan and Bob. We visited Fort Zachary Taylor State Park where we took the self-guided tour of the fort, constructed in 1845 and completed 21 years later due primarily to the lack of construction materials. The fort served during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II and also saw use during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

Note in the picture above the contrast between the old (the fort) and the new (a mega cruise ship in the background)!

We then walked over to the State Park beach which was absolutely beautiful. The beach lacked the white sand we found at Smathers, but the water was crystal clear and warmer than the air temp. Speaking of, this was one of the coldest days since we've been here with a high of only 59 degrees (still warmer than anywhere else in the country today), but in the sun and protected from the wind, it was almost balmy!

We spent some time just enjoying the warmth and caught a glimpse of some dolphins swimming around in the blue water. We did a little people watching and noticed most were wearing Key West sweatshirts...I'm sure the cool weather had the sweatshirt vendors doing a brisk business. Then we watched the cruise ship as it left the waters of Key West Harbor. One of the smaller ships, but still quite impressive when seen from the shore.

We reluctantly left the State Park knowing it would be a few years before we return again and met Marilyn and Greg at New York Pasta Garden for a stromboli to-die-for. For $13.95 we filled up and still have enough leftover for two more meals. I decided rather than adding yet another photo of the six of us at a restaurant "stuffing ourselves" I would add this picture of the macaw that greeted us at the front door. If you enlarge the photo, you will see that he was looking at Ken eye-to-eye. Like most restaurants in Key West, there was both inside and outside dining. When we arrived and saw a group of girls sitting outside wrapped in blankets, we decided we would choose one of the inside tables and still wanted to light the candle on the table for warmth.

With a Cosmic Group Hug, we said goodbye to Susan and Bob, who we won't see for six weeks when we'll meet up again at Gamble Rogers State Park, and to Marilyn and Greg, who we'll see a bit sooner...March 1st in the Everglades. It's so much fun to meet up with family and friends in our travels.

Next stop: Fiesta Key RV Resort in Long Key, where we will start the countdown to the arrival of Minnesota cousins Sue and Wayne.