Weekday Traffic.

Our Location today is Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

I was very fortunate last night in the sense that when I went to bed I slept the entire night only waking when it was time to get up this morning. Unfortunately for Kathy after only being asleep for a short time she kept waking up and thinking of things that made no sense to her. That would be called having a typical Pretravel Night’s Sleep because you barely do sleep. 

By the time we had everything stored and said our see you down the road to our neighbor Bobby and Gale we were heading northbound on Highway 1 by 10:10 this morning. Kathy was feeling sad that our trip to the Keys had come to an end. She said it was like we were leaving Paradise but we won’t mind leaving those Roosters behind. 

These colors are not as vibrant as the actual shrub.

According to our research on Map Quest our trip would be just under four hours but they never allow for delays or having lunch. The trip north through the keys was no problem as far as traffic. Our biggest problem was other motorist passing us even though we were doing the speed limit then slowing down way below the speed limit. After other cars would pass us shaking their fist at us thinking we were the cause of the delay. That’s their problem. 

Seven Mile Bridge.

We stopped for lunch at the Cracker Barrel in Homestead at 12:30. Due to our length we have to park along one of their outside curbs but today every one of those areas had a single car parked in the middle. We finally parked by the trash containers and hoped for the best. 

Back on the road by 1:30 our GPS took us straight up Highway 1 until it connected to I-95 just before Miami. We were fortunate to only have to stop at every tenth traffic light because of cars cutting us off. Once we were on I-95 it was slow moving sometimes but we almost had two vehicles a Semi and a Car duke it out for the lane directly in front of us. Luckily they both returned to their previous lanes before impact never to meet again. 

We arrived at Yacht Haven RV Resort and Marina in Fort Lauderdale at 4:40. So much for a short 165 mile trip. After checking in and getting backed in to our site the first thing I did was to plug in our electrical cord. Nothing! We walked back to the office to report the problem. They sent the maintenance people over who found the line to our site had an issue at the main panel. They showed us a few other sites to consider. 

The new site was impossible to back into from the one direction so I went to turn down at the turn around that had a tree in the middle. This is where I found out you could get a twenty foot trailer around there but not a thirty-eight foot trailer. I had to back up past our site and Kathy guided me around the nearby corner. Once I straightened and backed from that corner it was still too tight. Luckily there was an empty site directly across from our’s. Kathy guided me back into our sight while a neighbor made certain I didn’t take out the Electrical Pedestal on the empty site I was using to maneuver. 

This is parked less than twenty feet from our trailer.

We’ll be exploring the area for the next week but tonight we plan on relaxing. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

You think the color of your wife's hair is "Clorox."

Last Visit, Checking Other Parks and Packing Up.

Our Location today is Sugar Loaf Key, Florida, USA.

By the time we went to bed last night the wind that had affected how far we went on our bike ride yesterday had really subsided. When we got up this morning there was no breeze to be felt through the open windows and looking at the trees not far from our trailer they were barely swaying. 

Once breakfast was completed we headed to the computers to get our morning reading in. We had wanted to get together for a last visit this year with Karen and Al but Kathy had forgotten to E-mail them yesterday. She sent it out this morning recommending the Galley Grill for lunch. With luck Karen gets her E-mails directly to her Smart Phone. Al was at his Physical Therapy in Key West but they could meet us around 12:30. We finished reading at the computers and moved to reading books in the kitchen area. Before we knew it was time to head out the door. 

We arrived with only minutes to spare and managed to get one of the freshly cleaned tables at the back of the room. Karen and Al were trying to take care of a planned stop along the way but when a boat in distress called the marina their issue took second place causing them to be slightly delayed. 

Galley Grills unbeatable Cheese Steak Sandwich.

We all had the Cheese Steak sandwich that Kathy and I had the last time we were there and highly recommended. We all enjoyed them but Al forgot to order his toasted. We kept talking long after our meal was over talking about future travels. We had mentioned about looking for less expensive camping accommodations for future stays so Karen and Al mentioned a few places to check out. It was past 2:30 by the time we said our see-you-laters and headed our separate ways. 

Our final time for seeing Karen and Al this year.

Kathy and I immediately headed north to check out the Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina that Karen and Al had recommended. Just as they said the sites were larger than those at the KOA and the price is much more reasonable as well. There is also a convenience store/gas station right outside the gate next door. After driving around inside the park making notes on which sites we’d try to book if and when we return to the keys we pulled into the gas bar and topped up the fuel in truck. This was the first fill up since before we left Punta Gorda on the 28^th of February and the price was the lowest in this area. When I went in to pay the clerk informed us that the price was going up ten cents a gallon in the morning. Glad we didn’t wait! 

Canal behind the Galley Grill. 

On the way back to our trailer we spotted a few more RV fishing parks along the way that looked good. Now Kathy has more research to do when we get home. 

A stainglass window of the Galley Grill.

It was after 4:30 by the time we got back to the trailer and we both had a lot to get done in a very short amount of time. Kathy had some online banking to do as well as her book keeping while I started closing things up outside. I’d prepped the bicycles to be mounted on the rear of the trailer before I needed Kathy’s help to hold the Tandem Bike in place. (I’ll modify the carrier when we get home.) 

A neighbor's puppy.

At 6:30 Kathy called me in for a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich for a snack because our lunch had filled us up but she needed something to balance her blood sugar. By 7:30 the sun was starting to sink below the tree tops but the outside of the trailer is as ready as it could be for tonight.  We hit the road tomorrow morning heading slowly north. 

Now we’ll try to get some things stowed away inside the trailer tonight so we won’t be in a rush to leave in the morning. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

The World's Great Proverbs

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

Windy Wind Up.

Our Location today is Sugar Loaf Key, Florida, USA.

After having read the weather reports first thing this morning we were finally able to shut the Air Conditioning off in our trailer and open the windows and roof vents. The wind kept a constant breeze blowing inside making us feel like we were sitting in front of a fan. It was 66 F (19 C) when we got up making us feel very comfortable. 

Kathy following me everywhere I go.

Standing water from Saturday's rain.

Once breakfast was completed we sat to do our morning reading at the computers. We made plans to go for a bicycle ride on the Tandem Bike but with the wind blowing at 19 mph from the northeast with gusts up to 30 mph we thought about waiting to see if the wind die down any. We continued working on the computers with Kathy doing more research for this year’s return trip home while I worked on our agenda calendar for next year’s winter trip. 

Having a late lunch we finally got on our bike and headed out the gate by 1:30. It had been three days since our last ride and Kathy was surprised just how hard the wind was actually blowing. People fishing on the pedestrian bridge from Sugar Loaf to Cudjoe Key were actually wearing long pants and hoodies to keep warm. After crossing the highway and traveling on the secluded bike path the trees and shrub did little to shield us from the wind. We needed to stop numerous times not only for a water breaks but to catch our breaths. Riding all the way to the old Kemp Channel Bridge we appreciated that as our turn around point today.

Keeping Hydrated.

The direction the wind was blowing from today was always blowing against us one way or another. Due to our bike riding we seemed to be building our leg muscles. While out last week we had set our personal best on the Tandem Bike at 16.8 mph. Kathy sensed that the wind had slowed a bit and suggested we try another fast sprint. Once we’d passed the daycare along the bike path we started pushing and finally made it to 17.4 mph. We really needed a break after that and didn’t make another attempt at breaking our new record. By the time we got back to the trailer we enjoyed a snack of oranges and grapefruit before Kathy needed a Snap to recover so I just played a few games on the computer while she did so. 

Other people out enjoying the cooler weather.

Once she was up again I fired up the Weber to grill some spare ribs Kathy had marinated earlier today. Kathy also baked a sweet potato and made a salad to go along with it. We had fresh strawberries and whip cream for dessert. Everything tasted wonderful. 

That's our campground from the pedestrian bridge.

Our last stop before reaching our camp.
Kathy wanted a picture of me for a change.

The breeze had slowed by the time we finished doing the dishes so Kathy sat outside reading while I did a few chores around the truck and trailer in preparation for our Tuesday departure. We stayed out until the sunset and with little prompting from the bugs we went inside the trailer to save the rest of our sanity. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

Your brother-in-law is also your uncle.

Where’d Summer Go?

Our Location today is Sugar Loaf Key, Florida, USA.

As reported at the end of yesterday’s post our friends and family back home were experiencing more snowfall at the same time we were experiencing heavy rain showers. For us it actually stopped for a short while but then throughout the night we were awaken by the heavy pounding of the rain on our roof. Kathy was starting to get concerned that we’d need our kayak through the night. 

When we woke around 8:00 this morning it felt strange not to have heard the roosters crowing but with the heavy cloud cover it nearly looked like dusk. We did take our time to have breakfast and do our morning computer reading. Looking online at the forecast it wasn’t that appealing after yesterday’s warm summerlike weather today’s high would only reach 70 F (21 C) with 17 mph north winds. 

By 10:00 we were ready to head out to run some errands. Stepping outside our toneau cover on the rear of the truck was beginning to sag from the weight of all the water that had gathered on it. Simple solution to empty it was drive forward than hit the brakes. All Gone! We drove to the Back 40 of the campground where all the tent campers are located. Most of the cars and tree branches were covered with items that were soaking wet from last night’s rain. 

We drove over to the Big Pine Flea Market but when we got there I had to drop Kathy as close to the gate as possible because their parking lot looked like a battle zone with huge puddles of standing water everywhere. I looked to see if I could locate any more LED light fixtures for our trailer with no luck. Because the temperature wasn’t hot today we looked to see if there might be something else that might catch our eyes. Leaving empty handed we followed the maze of dry ground back to the truck. 

This shirt says it all.

Instead of driving around looking for someplace to eat lunch today we simply drove straight over to the No Name Pub where the waitress was surprised that without looking at the menu we knew what we wanted. There were other people that were more regular than ourselves when they were addressing the manager, bartender and wait staff on a first name basis. Our Hawaiian Pizza was perfect and we were comfortable when we left. 

Our next stop was the Winn Dixie where again I had to drop Kathy off near the front door because of the large water puddles in the parking lot. That’s the same place the parking lot had been flooded three weeks ago from a heavy rain shower that the Forecasters said didn’t happen. 

Inside the No Name Pub. That's all money on the ceiling and walls. 

While Kathy started the grocery shopping inside I was filling our water containers outside at the dispensing machine. Unlike our last two years where Kathy suffered from drinking the unprocessed water. Last year we were still boiling unprocessed water for our coffee and tea and Kathy had infections. Since we have only been drinking the processed water from the dispensing machines this year Kathy has not had a single Kidney infection. 

Delicious Hawaiian Pizza.

After we headed home and got everything put away I set up the grill outside to cook up a couple of pounds of bacon. No we weren’t going to have it for a meal. Kathy dries the grease off of it after it’s been grilled & crispy than keeps it in a sealed container in the fridge. Whenever she wants to make a sandwich or add bacon to a dish she simply adds it from the fridge. 

Returning the shopping cart.
Had to skirt this large puddle.

Even though tonight is Saturday night after being rained out last night and with the cold winds blowing tonight the Pub surprisingly had no live entertainment. Sitting here writing this blog post the wind is actually shaking the trailer. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

What should you give a man who has everything?

A woman to show him how to work it all.

Higgs Beach, Key West.

Our Location today is Sugar Loaf Key, Florida, USA.

Since our last couple of days were so interesting (NOT!) doing necessary chores around the trailer last night we made plans. We checked the weather reports and saw that rain was on its way to the Keys. Also since we’ve seen about all we can at this time we thought we’d take a trip to the beach in Key West. We had passed by it on our trolley tour when there on Tuesday but didn’t get a chance to check it out up close. 

We were in no hurry to leave early and with the Roosters again waking me up at 4:18 this morning and continuing their calling for the next hour I had no problem sleeping until 8:00. After breakfast we did sit at the computers for our morning reading and to verify the weather status before getting ready to go. Kathy packed us a picnic style lunch while I retrieved the chairs and sun umbrella for shade. I then raided the outside fridge of cold drinks that when packed in the cooler also helped to keep our lunch fresh. 

After taking Highway 1 all the way to Key West I change directions when we came to the junction of Highway A1A which took us eastward towards the Atlantic side of the Island. We took our time checking the first beach and then the second that was our planned destination for the day. At this point I just kept on driving following the route the tour trolley had taken on Tuesday. I had an Ulterior Motive! 

Kathy pictured inside Smoothie Shuttle getting our smoothies to go.

Knowing for certain this was to be our last trip to the keys for a few years I wanted to make a stop. Within two blocks of turning north on Duval Street we arrived. Nearly three weeks ago Kathy and I had stopped at the Smoothie Shuttle and enjoyed the most refreshing smoothies we’d ever had. Since we’d be sitting in the sun I figured we needed something to keep ourselves cooled down. Due to limited street parking Kathy went in to get us each one coming out just seconds after I found a parking spot.

Back to the Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach we found plenty of off road parking. After adjusting the windows to be slightly ajar and installing the windshield heat guard we decided to just walk over and check out where the best place to set up at would be. First we wondered out onto the pier to get a better view of our surroundings. Then Kathy suggested we’d probably be eating supper at the Salute On The Beach a small restaurant located in front of the beach. When we started reading their outdoor menu the lunch menu was more appealing than the dinner one. Guess where we had lunch. For a small place with an open side to the beach it was totally busy with reasonably priced good food. 

Look over the pier.

Is that better.

It was nearly 1:00 by the time we set up our chairs and umbrella where we thought we could relax read and people watch. You probably guessed that we’re not the type to hang around beaches but “When in Rome”. It was interesting to see other people with the same idea while others displayed a need to entertain others. By 2:30 the wind started picking up and it looked like we might get the rain that was promised for this evening. We packed up the umbrella and found the abandoned shade of a tree for Kathy to sit under. We stayed another hour watching the goings on before heading for home. 

Carnival Cruise Line leaving Key West.

Packing up for home.

This is a guided tour.

After getting the truck cleaned out and everything put away we sat down to enjoy a picnic in our trailer. Going online we found out the campground’s WiFi is down so we’ll just cautiously use our own. Those thunderstorms forecasted for this evening became a reality. After hearing some music playing at the Pub and we were about to investigate when the rain really started coming down. Maybe tomorrow will be a dryer day. 

They served everyone in the restaurant.

Old Jake is a retired service dog.

Just heard from our friend Vera that everything is covered in white again back home and Tuesday we are slowly working our way in that direction. 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

Seen on a Coffee Mug

 I'm really easy to get along with once you learn to

WORSHIP ME.