Fun in Key West

Fair warning, this will be a long post, at least in the photo category. We had so much fun in Key West,saw great friends from Maryland, and managed to behave ourselves, mostly. Lots of winter escapees enjoying life.

We saw long time friends Wade and Pam on the way down to Key West in Marathon. Never broke stride and picked up right where we left off. Friends forever.

Shopping

Our friends Tom and Marci rented a house in the middle of town and everything is within walking distance. What an eclectic mix of fun is to be had in this place known as Key West. Thanks so much for having us!

Lots of evening fun to be had. We had to try the crazy dessert restaurant, but just kidding on the live cabaret at La te Da. Only walked by. It's a drag show, quite the thing here. Another time maybe...

Enjoy the show, it's the butterfly garden in Key West. We loved it, could have spent a lot more time there. There were hundreds of butterflies flying everywhere but in flight were hard to capture on camera. In addition there were a pair of flamingos in the center, and it's mating season. Loud honking, flapping of wings in the middle of the conservatory.

Ahhh, true love.

Nell and Einstein

Nell joined Marci and me for the fun day of butterflies, lunch, and Hemingway House. She has acquired a new puppy, Einstein, who travels in a purse. He enjoyed the day as well and was a show stopper everywhere we went. The guys went out fishing but alas, did not have luck. A story of, "you should'a been there yesterday."

Hemingway House was interesting with all the famous writer's artifacts and all his six toed cats and descendants live on, on the property. Everywhere- We weren't allowed to touch the furniture but they could sleep on it. Hmmm.

I leave you with a small eclectic mix at the end. The Key West verson of the women's march. a service board from a "gentleman's house" on our morning walk, and our Sunday mimosa start to breakfast. Gotta love it - KEY WEST 🌴

A sampling of Florida fun: beach, golf, and balmy weather

A miniscule bit of this and that. While the worst winter storm in 30 years was happening at Star Mt. stranding people for days, we played. A little beach, a little golf, and a restaurant visit here and there. Back in the kitchen I've been experimenting with my new spiralizer (Xmas gift from Heather- thank you!) and loving the zucchini meals so far - chicken pad thai and lemon roasted artichoke. I know I'm a bit late to this party but am a fervent convert now.

After dive bombing the water - bulging cheeks full of fish

Serious metal/treasure hunter.  Someone stopped to ask what he'd found that morning and he waved a finger with a topaz ring. Sad for someone else but good for him I guess. The beach is a fun place for all kinds of people watching that's for sure.

Our first dinner visit at a new Korean barbecue place. Quite the show but we thought pretty tasteless sadly. Second visit was at lunch for their 17hr broth ramen. This was great,rich broth and chock full of seafood. Clearly a different category than the ramen noodles in the grocery store. Zen Asian BBQ - we'll be back.

And this my friends, is a Bob Kramer knife. Not, I quickly add, a handmade original. Those are $6,000 and up, and right now you're in a multi year lottery to get one. This is part of Kramer's commercial partnership with Henckel and made in Japan. These are still crazy expensive knives only for the true knife lover, who is Mark as it happens, and a Christmas present from moi. This is a Damascus patterned blade made from 100 layers of nickel and stainless steel. It takes 45 artisans and 100 distinct steps using a process similar to how Samurai swords were made. Treated well, it should last a lifetime. It's with us in Florida now but will eventually land in Star Mt. carried gently in cotton I suppose.

Rosy spoonbill unusual to see away from the mangrove marshes

We have joined a golf club in Naples again. Mark's work gig continues on so we figured plans for some weekend fun were in order, especially for Mark when I'm back at Star Mt. for the summer. This one is in our community so the convenience is lovely. Oh that little white ball (actually mine are pink - ha).

It's amazing how quiet it is early in the morning when I walk as we're in full season mode. People just don't get up early here, although I think it's most places actually. It's a peaceful start to a day that gets increasingly loud and hectic.

Mystical full moon - so far away to create such changes on earth

We have a fun short trip planned for the weekend - visiting friends down in the Keys- Marathon and Key West. Most of these friends are escapees from the winter cold in Maryland. Let's see what trouble we can get into.