Shopping and The Turtle Hospital.

Our Location today is Sugarloaf Key, Florida.

It was almost surprising to wake up to 57 F (14 C) temperatures this morning. It was part of the Arctic blast of cold air hitting most of the eastern half of the country reaching way down into the Florida Keys. After having breakfast and checking the computers we were out the door by 10:00 with the idea of looking at some of the tourist trap stores further back up the keys. 

Travelling north up Highway 1 we passed a number of the smaller keys that only had restaurants, campgrounds and a convenience store visible from the highway. Finally as we were driving slowly through Marathon Key and we took the time to look around noting some possible places to go looking. The only problem was trying to turn around. If you don’t have patience to wait for the traffic to clear do not attempt this drive. 

The first place we walked around was K-mart mostly to pass the time but also keeping our eyes peeled for certain items that we had on a special list. One of those items that I had seen years ago and again last year when we visited George and Suzie Yates last August. The item I’m talking about is a Water Jug Pump which is especially handy when you are in areas where their best tasting water is not drinkable. The pump is an easy way to dispense water and minimizing any spillage. 

Not just Actors booking themselves into Rehab.

By the time we had finished walking around K-mart we stopped at the I-Hop for lunch before continuing our search for a touristy store that could meet our needs. As we drove south we saw someplace that we have been reading about for the last few years but since we were still on a mission we took note of its location and kept driving. 

Operating Room.

Turtle in recovery after surgery.

We finally arrived at the first shop we had seen this morning and it was now the last shop before we’d cross the Seven Mile Bridge. This place carries all kinds of décor that would be nice for decorating a sticks and bricks but we were looking for something for our home on wheels. This place had more choices than we had ever seen and I truly liked one model but Kathy was the more practical person because what I had chosen would have been too delicate for trailer travelling. In the end Kathy made a practical decision and our purchase was made for a reasonable price. 

Post-op recovery tanks.

We now returned back to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon Key, Florida located right on Highway 1. We wandered around inside looking at all the displays and could not believe what we were reading. We then bought tickets for the guided tour. Because so many others had signed up for the 3:00 tour we needed to wait until 4:00 to get in. 

Recovering after having Tumors removed from his Extremities.

The Turtle Hospital started when Richie Moretti purchased the Hidden Harbor Hotel in 1981 and suddenly tried to help an injured sea turtle. By 1986 he became involved in protecting sea turtles and in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing those turtles back to the wild. This nonprofit organization has been responsible for the rescue of injured and sick turtles for nearly thirty years. They have also been responsible for changes to Environmental Protection Laws that now protect sea turtles around the world. 

Salt water exercise pool where the patients are placed before being returned to the wild.

We were explained how turtles survive, what they eat and where they live. We were shown things that can and do injure the turtles and most of which is man-made. We were shown the state of the art operating room where the lives of many thousands of surgeries have been performed to save their lives. The amazing part is that all this is done by volunteers that donate their time to help save the turtles. Any profits made by the sale at The Turtle Hospital gift shop and monies raised by tours and donations help to cover costs of operation only. 

For the turtles that are too severely injured to ever return to the wild because they would not survive there is now a program set up that they are adopted by Aquariums and Zoos. At those places they are also used to educate people how things we do can affect the well-being of the environment that turtles live in. 

Kathy and I both learned a lot from this tour and highly recommend it to not only children but adults as well to stop in and support this worthy cause. Tours run daily from 10:00 to 4:00 every hour and last about an hour and a half. Reservations are recommended to avoid long waits. 

It was nearly 6:00 by the time we stopped at Big Pine Restaurant for supper. They were reasonably priced and we didn’t walk out hungry. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Office Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes

Resume Blunders [One] gentleman included his picture (not a flattering one) and the declaration that he was single and lived with his mother. This was disclosed right under his picture and was the initial comment on his resume prior to any career objective or work information.

Cathleen Faerber, The Wellesley Group, Inc., CNN.com