Our day was uneventful but LONG. We went to bed last night after 11:00 - we had to watch the Grammys to the end! We took a nap until 3:00AM, caught the hotel shuttle to the airport at 3:30AM.
Flight from Miami to Atlanta (MD88) had some interesting moments as we had to fly through a thunderstorm - lots of lighting in the clouds below! A very short layover in Atlanta (so short we didn't get anything to eat -yet). Then about 4 hours to Salt Lake (Boeing 767). Our next flight was delayed by 1/2 hour which gave us a chance to get a bite to eat (first of the day). Then the short hop to Boise (Airbus 307 - brand new, nice plane!).
First stop on arrival back to Boise? Merritts!!
Great to be home!! The house still smells new. Max was glad to see us! Crocuses are in bloom!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
The Final Day: Back to Miami
Today we have to drive back to Miami, to an airport hotel, drop off the car and get back to the airport at some godawful hour in the morning. But we'd have time to stop and check out a few things on the way.
The Days Inn we stayed at was OK, just that it doesn't meet the modern standards. It even still has a tube TV! Just down the street on this Monday we came across the weekly farmer's market. Too bad we can't take anything home.
In Tavernier we found the little known Florida Bird Rehab Center. There wasn't much to it but it was fun to be up close and personal with the pelicans. Great lunch of seafood at this place we found called The Hideout. Right to Jules' Undersea Lodge (don't know, Google it).
WE were going to arrive in Miami with some time left this afternoon so we decided to check out "Jungle Island", a place that Janet and Shawn had visited 7 years ago (while waiting for us to arrive) and highly recommended. After many wrong turns and missed exits, we finally found it - we pulled into their parking lot only to find a $10.00 fee. Oh Well. We walked into the park and find the Senior rate is $37.50 and there was only an hour left before they closed. Needless to say, we went away. So we paid $10.00 to use their restrooms!
We found our hotel, dropped off Linda and our stuff, and I went on a real adventure - to return the rental car and find my way back to the hotel. 90 minutes later, I was back to the hotel. The Miami Airport Rental Car Center is huge! Its a giant 3 story parking structure, with all the rental companies there. Its a long way from the terminal, requiring a short train ride. Dinner was a pizza ordered in - there are no eateries around here.
So, we figure we have to get the shuttle back to the airport at 3:30AM!!Our flight leaves at 5:50, but I can tell one has to allow plenty of time in this enormous airport. And the weather report for tomorrow around Atlanta does not sound good.
(Note: its like another country around here. Everybody is Cuban or Bahamian. They are different from the Mexicans we are used to!)
The Days Inn we stayed at was OK, just that it doesn't meet the modern standards. It even still has a tube TV! Just down the street on this Monday we came across the weekly farmer's market. Too bad we can't take anything home.
In Tavernier we found the little known Florida Bird Rehab Center. There wasn't much to it but it was fun to be up close and personal with the pelicans. Great lunch of seafood at this place we found called The Hideout. Right to Jules' Undersea Lodge (don't know, Google it).
WE were going to arrive in Miami with some time left this afternoon so we decided to check out "Jungle Island", a place that Janet and Shawn had visited 7 years ago (while waiting for us to arrive) and highly recommended. After many wrong turns and missed exits, we finally found it - we pulled into their parking lot only to find a $10.00 fee. Oh Well. We walked into the park and find the Senior rate is $37.50 and there was only an hour left before they closed. Needless to say, we went away. So we paid $10.00 to use their restrooms!
We found our hotel, dropped off Linda and our stuff, and I went on a real adventure - to return the rental car and find my way back to the hotel. 90 minutes later, I was back to the hotel. The Miami Airport Rental Car Center is huge! Its a giant 3 story parking structure, with all the rental companies there. Its a long way from the terminal, requiring a short train ride. Dinner was a pizza ordered in - there are no eateries around here.
So, we figure we have to get the shuttle back to the airport at 3:30AM!!Our flight leaves at 5:50, but I can tell one has to allow plenty of time in this enormous airport. And the weather report for tomorrow around Atlanta does not sound good.
(Note: its like another country around here. Everybody is Cuban or Bahamian. They are different from the Mexicans we are used to!)
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| Dunno |
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| Creepy eyes |
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| Its Lunchtime! |
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Valentine Shut-out
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel cafe, we continued our exploration of the City of Key West The weather today is a bit cooler and breezier. (BTW - the beach across the street from the Sheraton is awesome!) We started at the Key West Garden Club. Lots of history here - the club garden is inside an old brick fortress that was built during the Civil War. Did you know that, while Florida was a Confederate State, Key West was under control of the Union? That at one time Key West was the largest city in Florida?
We then poked our way around the downtown areas we visited yesterday on foot. Note to self: if you want to explore Key West, use public transportation (bike, scooter, bike taxi). Leave your car somewhere, there is no place to park! We drove past Harry Truman's summer White House, Ernest Hemingway's home, the art museum, and more but couldn't stop.
Then we found the beginning of US 1 and headed north to our destination for the day, Islamorada. The water is so turquoise! Our reservation for the night is at the Days Inn Oceanside Resort. Who ever heard of paying $240 for a room at a Days Inn? But that's the market in the Keys. This place is really old and a bit rundown but it'll do. We asked the lady at the counter for a dinner recommendation. She recommended a place down the road and offered to call for a reservation for us. Forget about it! No reservations left, you can drop in and wait an hour. She called FIVE other places and got the same answer - long lines and wait times. Well, duh, it Valentine's Day!
So, she suggested we "eat in" and have something delivered, or go to the store and buy something to cook in our little efficiency kitchen. So from the five menus she gave us, feeling like Italian, we headed up the road to Tower of Pizza. We figured if couldn't get seated, we'd order something to go.
We arrived about 6:00 and they did have a table for us. It was AWESOME!! We had chicken parm and manicotti. A cozy family run place reminded us of Andy and Gay's in Oneonta! By the time we were finished, there was a line out the door! So its all good!
Tomorrow we head back to Miami, with some more things to see in Key Largo on the way through.
We then poked our way around the downtown areas we visited yesterday on foot. Note to self: if you want to explore Key West, use public transportation (bike, scooter, bike taxi). Leave your car somewhere, there is no place to park! We drove past Harry Truman's summer White House, Ernest Hemingway's home, the art museum, and more but couldn't stop.
Then we found the beginning of US 1 and headed north to our destination for the day, Islamorada. The water is so turquoise! Our reservation for the night is at the Days Inn Oceanside Resort. Who ever heard of paying $240 for a room at a Days Inn? But that's the market in the Keys. This place is really old and a bit rundown but it'll do. We asked the lady at the counter for a dinner recommendation. She recommended a place down the road and offered to call for a reservation for us. Forget about it! No reservations left, you can drop in and wait an hour. She called FIVE other places and got the same answer - long lines and wait times. Well, duh, it Valentine's Day!
So, she suggested we "eat in" and have something delivered, or go to the store and buy something to cook in our little efficiency kitchen. So from the five menus she gave us, feeling like Italian, we headed up the road to Tower of Pizza. We figured if couldn't get seated, we'd order something to go.
We arrived about 6:00 and they did have a table for us. It was AWESOME!! We had chicken parm and manicotti. A cozy family run place reminded us of Andy and Gay's in Oneonta! By the time we were finished, there was a line out the door! So its all good!
Tomorrow we head back to Miami, with some more things to see in Key Largo on the way through.
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| They put DnDs in C-stores around here! |
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| Parts of Henry Flagler's RR still stand |
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| The beach at the Sheraton |
Saturday, February 13, 2016
US 1 Overseas Highway to Key West
Another spectacular day, even a bit warmer still! A great breakfast at the Cracked Conch Cafe then over to the public beach, Sombrero Beach. Its beautiful! We cruised around the residential areas - forget it!
We headed on down US 1; its about 50 miles to Key West. We got bogged down in traffic in Big Pine Key. Along the way we stopped at a cove featuring a kids of wind surfer we hadn't seen before.
A quick stop at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden where a minimal craft fair was going on but the hot dog was delicious! Then we went into town and found our hotel, a really nice Sheraton.
After a short rest, we took the hotel shuttle downtown to the Historic Seaport/Mallory Square area. Our search for debauchery has begun! We walked the entire length of Duval Street, the location of most of the infamous eateries and saloons. We reached the far end, the location of the Southernmost Point Monument, just in time for sunset. Then dinner of conch fritters/conch chowder/kale salad at the Southernmost Cafe (didn't like the fritters).
After dinner, we hiked back to the seaport area by way of Whitehead St, which runs parallel to Duval. As one gets closer to the seaport area, this is where the real action is! Hogs Breath Saloon, The Green Parrot, odd sidewalk performer. Lots of tourists, everyone carrying beer, but, alas, no debauchery found!
There is a ferry here that runs out to Dry Tortugas National Park but its very expensive - about $150 per person. And its an all day trip so one would have to stay in Key West two nights - the hotels here are 450-$500/ night. So we have added it our list for a future trip!
We headed on down US 1; its about 50 miles to Key West. We got bogged down in traffic in Big Pine Key. Along the way we stopped at a cove featuring a kids of wind surfer we hadn't seen before.
A quick stop at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden where a minimal craft fair was going on but the hot dog was delicious! Then we went into town and found our hotel, a really nice Sheraton.
After a short rest, we took the hotel shuttle downtown to the Historic Seaport/Mallory Square area. Our search for debauchery has begun! We walked the entire length of Duval Street, the location of most of the infamous eateries and saloons. We reached the far end, the location of the Southernmost Point Monument, just in time for sunset. Then dinner of conch fritters/conch chowder/kale salad at the Southernmost Cafe (didn't like the fritters).
After dinner, we hiked back to the seaport area by way of Whitehead St, which runs parallel to Duval. As one gets closer to the seaport area, this is where the real action is! Hogs Breath Saloon, The Green Parrot, odd sidewalk performer. Lots of tourists, everyone carrying beer, but, alas, no debauchery found!
There is a ferry here that runs out to Dry Tortugas National Park but its very expensive - about $150 per person. And its an all day trip so one would have to stay in Key West two nights - the hotels here are 450-$500/ night. So we have added it our list for a future trip!
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| Seen on my morning walk in Marathon |
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| Sombrero Beach Marathon |
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| Lots of chickens in town |
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| Look at the detail!! |
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| St. Paul's Episcopal |
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| Pretty nice boat |
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| Sunset over Key West Naval Air Station |
Friday, February 12, 2016
Hung Around Marathon
It warmed up nicely today - mid 70s by afternoon, bright blue sky! After a sumptuous breakfast at The Stuffed Pig (really), we headed down the road a bit to the Turtle Hospital (really). They take in sea turtles (of which there are only 7 species- who knew? ) which have been injured or are otherwise sick from pollution, disease, etc. The goal is to nurse them back to health and release them back to the wild. We learned more about sea turtles than we could have imagined! Our visit included an up close visit with an iguana!
This afternoon we went to Crane Point, a nature preserve and historic site. There was nice 1.5 mile trail out to the old Crane house and "The Point". Interesting history here. Nice day for a walk in the woods!
Returned to Kingsail for a dip in their nice pool, then dinner at Keys Fisheries (Shawn, that's where you had a Lobster Reuben). It was OK, I didn't think particularly memorable.
Tomorrow we drive down to Key West in search of debauchery.
This afternoon we went to Crane Point, a nature preserve and historic site. There was nice 1.5 mile trail out to the old Crane house and "The Point". Interesting history here. Nice day for a walk in the woods!
Returned to Kingsail for a dip in their nice pool, then dinner at Keys Fisheries (Shawn, that's where you had a Lobster Reuben). It was OK, I didn't think particularly memorable.
Tomorrow we drive down to Key West in search of debauchery.
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| Notice the chunk missing from his shell. Shells do not rejuvenate. |
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| Did you ever try to take a picture of a butterfly? |
Thursday, February 11, 2016
John Pennekamp to Marathon
We started our day at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. (Janet and Shawn should remember this place from 7 years ago). We did the 2 hour glass bottom boat tour. It was windy and very cold! But nobody got seasick (thanks to dramamine). It was a nice day for a boat ride but I was not impressed with the reef, through the bottom of the boat. The park has all kinds of watercraft for rent, to go paddle around in the cypress knees. Late light lunch at a Waffle House (!) Good to see that southeastern US icon is alive and well!
Then we wended our way down Rt 1 about 50 miles to Marathon. We stopped at this really crazy art/craft/clothing/junk "mall" called The Rain Barrel. Awesome weird stuff, including a giant lobster. Route 1 is the only road all the way to Key West and only two lane at that. Traffic is heavy!! And we're here in the off-season.
Our motel is the Kingsail Resort, a funky little place that is showing its age. But we had stayed here 7 years ago and recall it was fine - and it is! Besides, its the cheapest place between Key Largo and Key West.
Excellent seafood dinner at Lazydays, including a spectacular sunset right from our table!
Tomorrow we'll just hang around Marathon - there are a few things to do around here. Hopefully, it will get a bit warmer!)
(Sorry the pictures are not in the right order. I don't have the patience to fix it! Also, to day I wore my Boise State Bronco T-shirt. Normally, my message T-shirts don't elicit a response, but I must have had 15 encounters today where I had to explain that it was NOT the Denver Broncos!)
Then we wended our way down Rt 1 about 50 miles to Marathon. We stopped at this really crazy art/craft/clothing/junk "mall" called The Rain Barrel. Awesome weird stuff, including a giant lobster. Route 1 is the only road all the way to Key West and only two lane at that. Traffic is heavy!! And we're here in the off-season.
Our motel is the Kingsail Resort, a funky little place that is showing its age. But we had stayed here 7 years ago and recall it was fine - and it is! Besides, its the cheapest place between Key Largo and Key West.
Excellent seafood dinner at Lazydays, including a spectacular sunset right from our table!
Tomorrow we'll just hang around Marathon - there are a few things to do around here. Hopefully, it will get a bit warmer!)
(Sorry the pictures are not in the right order. I don't have the patience to fix it! Also, to day I wore my Boise State Bronco T-shirt. Normally, my message T-shirts don't elicit a response, but I must have had 15 encounters today where I had to explain that it was NOT the Denver Broncos!)
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| At full throttle, this puppy will do 20 knots! |
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