Out and About in Marathon

The annual Pigeon Key Arts Festival was held the first weekend we were here. Bob, Jr., Sue and I made a visit. At one of the booths I met a woman who knew Billy's family from the days of the Rocky River Flower Shop when she lived across the street. Gregarious Bob had an extended conversation with her. Meantime, I found things to buy, despite my resolve not to do that!

The artist Wyland was there and I was surprised at how young he still looked. He is known for his large murals, many painted on the sides of buildings, depicting marine life. I remember seeing him in Hawaii over twenty years ago and, apart from more tattoos, he hasn't changed much since then. Learn more at http://www.wyland.com.

Next it was off to get some fresh seafood -- there's no dearth of fish markets in Marathon!

Snow crab claws -- harvested by pulling off the one large claw and returning the crab to the ocean where it will regenerate the claw.

Don't know why Bob insisted on being the mermaid?!

A Walk in the National Key Deer Refuge

Bob the Third, Sue, Billy and I drove down to Big Pine Key to visit the National Key Deer Refuge. We didn't see any Key Deer -- no surprise since it was mid-day -- but we learned a lot about their environment and Keys ecology in general.

The Overseas Highway has lower speed limits through this area and they are strictly enforced.

Written comments won't be necessary for this post -- here are the trail side posters that provide lots of information on the refuge and its inhabitants and their environment.

On the Water

Billy's nephew Bob and his wife Sue drove down from their home in early February to join us for the weekend. They were fully equipped with kayaks and paddle boards to add to the two man kayak that came with the house and Billy's Hobie sailing catamaran, the Island Adventurer.

We're Here Auntie Em

The final 65 miles of the last leg of our drive was the longest. Bumper to bumper traffic moving at a crawl combined with a driver who can't abide stop and go made for a bit of stress. Advice for traveling the Overseas Highway -- be sure to have a full tank of fuel and an empty bladder.

Next morning, we made a quick survey of our home base for the next month. Great location. Turn right at the end of the driveway and you are a quick walk to Sombrero Beach. Turn left and you can bike, walk or drive to shop for groceries. Florida Keys, here we come.

Simpsonville, South Carolina

It was a long day of driving and it wasn't until after dark that we arrived and Bob and Betty's house. Betty had an excellent dinner ready for us and we enjoyed our meal and catching up on the details of their move to this house that is new for them.

Bob, Bill's older brother, is a master of many trades, building construction among them. Two of his recent projects are a workshop building and a sun room. The sun room was a screened in porch. You'd never know from the finished look of the new room. The workshop is a solid, spacious building that is so well built it could be used as living quarters. There's even a garden shed on the back side of the building. Bob builds to spec and then some!

The morning brought another great meal and then we were back on the road, headed for a stop in St. Augustine.

Heading South

West Virginia Welcome Center

All spiffed up and ready to travel.

Hobie Catamaran is coming with us.

A little over a year ago we decided to splurge on a vacation in the Florida Keys. We rented a home in Marathon that was pet friendly and with a fenced yard and didn't much think about it until January rolled around. Suddenly, it was time to pack. I ran short on time and consequently Elvis The Wonder Poodle had his first professional haircut. We headed out early for our first stop -- the home of Bill's brother, Bob, and his wife Betty -- in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Come along on our adventure!

Watch This Space For New Topic: "Saga of the Florida Keys Vacation"

I'll be posting pictures and commentary featuring our month-long stay in the Florida Keys. See you soon.