Key West

Our drive today took us to Key West which is only 90 miles away, but took us about 6 hours.  It wasn't the traffic nor the 45 mph speed limit, it was the many, many RV Campgrounds along the way and the tiki huts.  Since we seem to have difficult in getting the "prime" site for camping, we decided to check as many campgrounds out along the way so we could get a poplar site for a future visit.  Most all have the ocean front and are really nice, but those you have to book at least 6 months to a year in advance.  Found out today that a true "snowbird" is those travlers that come from the north to the south and stay for over a month so therefore you can get those "prime" sites on the water and it's going to cost you.

We arrived in Key West around 5ish - humm something about that time seems familiar.  We started to get frustrated due to the lack of available parking and crowds of people, but pulled into the parking garage at The Westin and was able to get one there.  Off to the streets - we're ready.    Found many good places to drink and eat and walked, and walked and walked.  Of course we had to stop at all the favorites ie, Margaritaville, Sloppy Joe's etc.   To tired to make the trip back to Key Largo, so we inquired about a room at The Westin.  Well,  Happy Christmas to us!

I guess Key West is fun for an occasional play, but it's not for us. Decided after breakfast we would find a beach.  That's even more disappointing.  Unless you staying at a major resort or on the Bay side, your not going to find a beach.  The one pubic beach we found was called "Smathers".  It's very small, a place where you'll find the homeless sleeping on the beach.  Oh well, we new of a beach on another Key headed back north and we'll stop by there.  By the time we stopped at the "Tiki" huts along the way back, it was getting to late.  We'll do the beach thing tomorrow.  It's supposed to be sunny and pretty.

What day is it?

It doesn't matter what day it is cause we're having a blast in the Florida Keys.  We arrived yesterday at Calusa Campground in Key Largo.  Typical campground site - they try to get everyone jammed packed in.  It's okay - don't intend to stay in the camper all day.

Found some cool places on our first adventure out.  One called the Bayside and that it was - right on the water.  This one was on the Atlantic side.  This is sooooo neat.  Atlantic on the left and Gulf on the right and you can see both at the same time.  Enjoyed a delicious lunch.  After Bayside we found a another place on the water for drinks called Snappers and then Turtles was right beside it.  We asked our waitress about the local  beaches to go to and she said the best one that you could go to without being hassled cause you not a guest would be in Islamorada.  Nice, nice beach and tiki hut.  Decided this would be the beach place for us. 

The weather has been chilly and windy.  I think it only reach 57 yesterday and today it should be around 65.

Good Sunday Morning



Our home in Ft. Myers

Thinking we would get going early for breakfast, but the weather has turned a bit on us.  It's 50 and very windy with mostly clouds.  Going to stay in until after lunch and then see what we can get into today. 

We'll be leaving this area tomorrow am and headed to Key Largo.

Christmas Day

I don't think I have ever slept in on this day.  Boy, was it nice.  It's a beautiful day here in Florida.  Don't miss that snow back home.

Buddy and I had rested for most of the day.  Took a little stroll around the park  and then drove over to Cape Coral for dinner.  Found a couple of cool bars along the way.  I never realized how many people get out on Christmas Day.  Everywhere we went, they were packed.  Thought tomorrow we would come back to a place called "Docs" for breakfast and then enjoy a day on the beach.

My sweetie and I are enjoying our time together on the Christmas Day.  Hope you are too.

Christmas Eve



Miller Time

After mimosa's and a lite breakfast, we headed out to Marco Island.  Our one hour drive ended up taking us  hours of driving, due to following the coast line.  It was nice - stopped at a local seafood restaurant at some marina along the way and had a nice lunch overlooking the water.  Arrived at Marco and went to the ole Snook Inn Bar for beverages.  Afterwards we walked the beach at tigertail.  I had forgotton how white and soft the sand is here - reminds me of baking soda.  The weather has been perfect - mid 70's. Towards the evening hour we drove a short distance to Goodland and found an outdoor establishment where we could eat, drink and listen to the music.  A real laid back kind of place.   Didn't think to much of the food but the beer and dancing was good!

3 Days till Christmas

Awoke to a chilly morning but it didn't take long to warm up.  Broke down camp and headed south to our designation.  To our surprise, our next 4 day accommodations ended up in Fort Meyers.  Guess we don't know Florida as much as we thought.  Our navigator didn't do to well this time.  We arrived at River Bend RV Resort just east of Ft. Myers and set up for the week.  We toured the grounds and what a beautiful place.  Since we are further out than we had planned, I immediately started looking for a place to stay in Key Largo.  Finally found one and booked for the next week.  Looking forward to touring the Keys.

We decided to have dinner in Ft. Myers and found a place we ate at years ago when we went to boating school with our friends Ellie and Mike.  Delicious seafood over looking the bay.  We stuffed ourselves!  Afterwards we drove down town and it was all decked out and holiday shoppers were everywhere admiring all the decorations.

Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) we're going to the beach at Marco Island.  A day of fun and maybe some shopping.  Not maybe - but will!

4 Days till Christmas

Another blog for you.....we'll it's really for me.  In my gracefully aging years (LOL) it's hard to remember our adventures in detail.  Yes, I can remember the basics but it so neat to be able to read back on all the cool places we've been in a descriptive story.  I just pray and hope we can continue our RV trips for a long time coming.  We truly have a wonderful time sharing our time together traveling.

It was a tough decision to choose to have a Christmas away this year.  But I know our family understands and wishes us well. We will miss them but are very excited about our trip.  Both Buddy and I love the sunshine and warm weather...and where else can you go for a few weeks RV'ing and get that?  Florida - here we come.

Four days until Christmas and we hit the road.  We left Salem at 9 am and headed south.  A good time to leave and miss that Atlanta traffic.  No problem.  The traffic on pass wasn't too bad either, mostly people slowing down due to the state patrol's out.  Glad they were.  After a stop at the Cracker Barrel for lunch in Perry, Georgia, Buddy asked me if I had any idea where we where parking it for the night.  Hum????  I new we had reservations for Thursday in Marco Island, but Wednesday night - guess I thought we would just keep driving.  Just kidding, I new I would eventually find a campground - but it took a little longer than I thought.  We crossed over the GA/FL state line and stopped at the welcome center.  Retrieved a map and some other articles of interest.  I begin my search for a night spot, but every one I found by looking at the road maps, camping books and internet lead us way off the beaten path.  (I do like to venture off, but we do have a designation to be at before Christmas).  Anyway, I finally found one just off I-75 and called for reservations.  No problem - except that that Campground was 15 miles back.  Out the book came again, and by this time is was getting close to dark and I remember when we took Chelsey and Kraig to Florida we stopped at a very convenient park 15 miles further south.  That was our stop.  But first we had to get diesal.  Wow - it's $3.27 a gallon.  Why do they raise the gas prices on holidays?  Arrived at Travelers Campground.  This place is kind of weird though.  They have cages of exocit birds and pastures of ostriches.  Kind of funny for a RV campground.

So here we are in Lake City, Florida.  After setting up (we're masters at it) we drove across the way and enjoyed "Sonny's" restaurant.  The BQ and smoked chicken was great - but even better was the 5 cent bud light.  Really - never been to a restaurant where they gave beer away.  Wonder it they are open for breakfast?

We're settled in for the night (Buddy already sleeping).  Looking forward to arriving in Marco Island tomorrow afternoon for our Christmas vacation.  The weather is suppose to be in mid 60's to 70's. Guess it will be oysters and beer for Christmas dinner instead of a traditional meal.