Florida KEYS!

I had told you all I would pick up again and tell you about Bill’s BIG 50 Birthday!  I will tell you all about that and our time in the Keys, but first, real quick, I want to show you a few pics of this place we stopped at on our way down called “Coral Castle”.  It was made by one man, named Ed, all by himself and no one knows how he did it because he did it mostly at night.  I really don’t know how to describe it, so I will just show you the pics:

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The whole place is made out of coral - duh - guess that's pretty obvious by the name!
The whole place is made out of coral – duh – guess that’s pretty obvious by the name!

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I felt silly sitting on this, but it was actually pretty comfortable
I felt silly sitting on this, but it was actually pretty comfortable
this is some sort of sundial, the tour guide (yes there is a tour!) said it is very accurate.
this is some sort of sundial, the tour guide (yes there is a tour!) said it is very accurate.

We had arrived in the beautiful Florida Keys and set up for our 2 week stay at Sunshine Key RV Resort, MM38 on the Overseas Highway.  The CG is basically the only thing on Ohio Key, complete with its own gas station, store and marina.

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sunset from the CG marina
sunset from the CG marina

We celebrated Bill’s birthday by heading to Key West.  Bill had done some research and learned that Fury Water Adventures offered a free ride on any of their boat tours to anyone who had a birthday that day!  I called and got us the last 2 seats on their Live Music Sunset Sail, which was aboard a very large catamaran, and included wine, beer, margaritas and snacks. We arrived in Key West early and decided to start the party at the Lazy Gecko.  We got a couple of drinks and some wings, which were very good!

The sail was scheduled to leave by 4:15pm, so we arrived in plenty of time to get checked in and relax.  The music was very good, the band played a nice variety of things, including some 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, mostly stuff like James Taylor, a few Beatles, Rod Stewart, etc.  The snacks were ok, we were glad to have gotten something before hand.  The wine was ok, and Bill said the margaritas weren’t bad.  The sunset was gorgeous, but of course, we were in Key West.  We chatted with a couple who were very nice, vacationing from somewhere very cold up north, I think Minnesota.  They were fascinated by our lifestyle and asked a lot of questions.  Bill and I didn’t mind, we love talking about our RV and all it involves.

the band
the band
our new friends (sorry I forget their names!)
our new friends (sorry I forget their names!)
a very happy birthday man!
a very happy birthday man!
sunset
sunset

After the sail, we walked on Duval Street and just enjoyed watching all that was going on.  There are always people doing crazy things, and very often street performers.  Sometimes people with their parrots, and you can pay them to let you take your picture with them.

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Our last stop of the night was for dessert – you will NEVER guess the name of the place.  Go ahead try!  Ok, I will tell you – the restaurant name is “Better than Sex”.  Look it up if you don’t believe me.  The whole place, from the décor to the names of the desserts and drinks, is very seductive.  Bill ordered a “Twist and Shout” with a “Gyration” and I had a “Tongue Bath Truffle” with a “Lucky Shot”.  I warned you about the names, didn’t I?  I am not sure we would go back, but only because it was very expensive – around $50 just for dessert, but my hubby doesn’t turn 50 everyday, does he?

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this was mine
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this one was Bill’s
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yes, it was really that dark
full moon for hubby's birthday!
full moon for hubby’s birthday! I took this back at the campground

Other things we did in the Keys:

One day I was up early and decided to catch a few pics of the sunrise – this is the best one – with the 7 mile bridge

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hung out by the pool and took a walk around the campground

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I think pelicans are so cool
I think pelicans are so cool
manatee!
manatee!

spent time at the beach – this is Bahia Honda State Park

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I run out of words to explain the beauty
I run out of words to explain the beauty
just gets better every time - I never get bored of sunsets
just gets better every time – I never get bored of sunsets

Here is pics of another day we spent at Bahia Honda State Park – we actually went snorkeling, but sadly no pics of that b/c I was afraid to take the phones on the boat. They had RX goggles so I tried it, I was able to spend about 10 – 15 minutes in the water, but got a bit nauseous, so got out and just watched Bill.  He spent the whole time out there, about an hour and a half total, and saw all kinds of fish.  When we got back, we stayed for the sunset – it never gets old.

view of the marina area from the foot bridge
view of the marina area from the foot bridge
in natural color
in natural color
black and white - kind of cool looking
black and white – kind of cool looking

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One day we learned about sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital.  They have a few permanent residents but mostly they release turtles back into the wild after their treatment is complete.

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turtle operating room
turtle operating room

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Another day in Key West

attacked by a sponge monster man!
attacked by a sponge monster man!
random rooster just walking around
random rooster just walking around
parrot getting a shower
parrot getting a shower
he really enjoyed it
he really enjoyed it
in honor of Bill and I turning 50!
in honor of Bill and I turning 50!
street entertainer Mallory Square
street entertainer Mallory Square
southern most point in the USA - hope to someday get a pic of us at the north most point in the USA!
southern most point in the USA – hope to someday get a pic of us at the north most point in the USA!

We took a bike ride to Pigeon Key and saw a guy in a boat catch a Sawfish – he had to let it go b/c they are endangered.

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sting rays we saw from the bridge
sting rays we saw from the bridge
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Don’t know how well you can see it – but this is the one of the coolest looking fish I’ve ever seen! The front of its head is a saw!

Another day we went to the beach at Sombrero Beach on Marathon Key.

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The brakes on my car have always been a pain  in the butt – needing to be replaced every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, instead of 50,000 miles like most of the time.  We were heading to Key West on our last full day and they started acting up, making a lot of noise and rubbing.  Bill got out and felt the tire (it’s mostly the rear driver side) and it was HOT!  So, we sat and waited for it to cool off, and while doing that, he looked up and found a Napa Auto Parts on the way back to the CG.  We stopped and picked them up and back at the CG, he replaced the pads on both sides.  Thankfully it didn’t take too long and we were back on our way.

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Our last evening in Key West

DJ's Clam Shack - BEST garlic clams!
DJ’s Clam Shack – BEST garlic clams!
back at Lazy Gecko for more wings!
back at Lazy Gecko for more wings!
another pic opportunity I could not pass up!  I mean seriously!  Darth Vadar playing a glow in the dark banjo!
another pic opportunity I could not pass up! I mean seriously! Darth Vadar playing a glow in the dark banjo!
our last piece of Key Lime Pie  :(
our last piece of Key Lime Pie 🙁

Our next stop is North Fort Myers – catch up with you then!

8 thoughts on “Florida KEYS!

  1. Wow, those are really awesome photos, and you guys are truly having the time of your lives (oh, did you hear it’s snowing again in NJ?!!) . You really know how to find the best places to visit (I was once at that plaque at the Southernmost tip. Had a paperweight that looked like it, but gave it away during the downsizing, which was kind of silly since it doesn’t take up that much space

    1. Thanks for reading, Cheryl! I did hear about the snow – we still have family and friends there!
      And – to be honest – it isn’t all that hard to find great places in the Keys – since amateurs like us were able to do it!

  2. Your photos are amazing! Loved the moon, pelicans and manatee! You can tell you sure enjoyed your time in the keys! Glad Bill had a great birthday!

    1. Thanks Debbie – we did have a great time! It was bittersweet leaving – we were “sort of” ready to move on – we were going to be spending time with Jo and Ben – but also didn’t want to leave!
      Love reading your blog – got to get better about commenting!

  3. Great photos! Lived in Florida our entire lives and couldn’t wait to head out west. It’s nice reading other’s perspective of our home state. Enjoy!

    1. I took that one mostly for my son, he is a big Star Wars fan! It never ceases to amaze me the ways people come up with to make money!

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