Alligators and Andy !

We decided to take a walkabout in Shark Valley Wilderness area.  Shark valley is located in the heart of the Everglades. 

While there, we saw a short film about the Everglades and Alligators.  We also took a nice walk along the paths and saw lots of birds, turtles and alligators.  

A big boy just a few feet from us..Well.. a few feet from Andy.  I can run faster !

A park ranger educated us about the invasion of the Burmese Python snakes and how they are wiping out most of the small animals, reptiles, and even deer that were once prevalent here.  

We also did a 15 mile, 2 hour tram ride tour, not to be confused with Gilligan's 3 hour tour.  We made it back. 

The area is so beautiful and we saw tons of alligators and birds.  Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we learned so much. 

At the half way point we stopped at the observation tower and we were able to go up and see a 360 degree view.  It was amazing ! 

Andy felt she had to be my private tour guide today.  Dang she is sweet and very brave on this sunny day.    I am so lucky ! Chuck & Donna this sweatshirts for you!!

Andy pointing out to me " Preston this is an Alligator"  Thanks honey for telling me !

Boy, one HOT Alligator..no really...cooling herself off..letting the heat out

Baby Alligators for all you people who like to see babies....isn't that so Barney !

For all the "Bird" people out there.

Andy thought it was Easter with all these bright colors.  Maybe she thought Alligators didn't like pastels.

Really honey...72 degrees... it's not easter yet !

Bert, Joan, Val and Keith.  Where is Waldo...opps..I mean Andy !

Rebel in every group.  I am telling the Forest Ranger on you.

We got back to the RV's and Val had invited us all for a Filipino Dinner he had prepared at Bert and Keith's place.  It was made with rice noodles, shrimp scallops, beef, chicken, pork and I don't know what else... but it was very tasty.  Andy made some great biscuits and of course brought the wine.  Bert and Joan managed take care of desserts on no notice.  What did I bring you might ask since my name isn't mentioned at all...my belly !!  We had a fantastic dinner.

After dinner and dessert we headed to Val and Joan's place for the nightly entertainment.  Val performed a concert for us on his keyboards. He is amazing and extremely talented.  We sat there for an hour listening to him play.  Andy shut her eyes and later told me she was transported by his playing!  

Music man

So as you can tell... a very wonderful full day !!!

It was time to leave Midway Campgrounds in Cypress National Preserve.  Andy is all ready to drive us out of there.

NOPE !  Really folks...like this was going to happen.  I would freak out !

"The Casino".  How sweet it is ! Overnight  parking for two nights.. Free.  If you sign up for their Players Club they give you, as in free, $30 to gamble with.  We figured out the system !!   Andy got $23,  Bert and  Keith ended up with $83 and I $41. Free money just given to us.  Didn't really have to gamble to get it !!  

We decided to do the buffet. They gave us a 2 for 1 coupon which included a bottle of wine.  So a bottle of wine and 2 buffet dinners with tax was $17.71.   Andy said the wine was good too  The next night we had steak and lobster for $10 a plate,   What a Great Deal !!    They basically paid us to stay and eat there!! 

 It was hilarious too as Bert nor Keith have ever gambled so we were hooting and hollering every time they hit something. 


If you see these two people....they are lost !  We can't seem to find them.  For the Past few months they have been attached to our hips...where or where did they go.  If you see them please send them in the direction towards Destin, Florida or even Oregon.

I am lost..I am lost too  ! And we are lost with out you :(

Key West "Sister Style"

Andy here, I will be doing this blog..yikes big shoes to fill!!  The reason I'm doing this one is because my sister Tammy came to visit us for a week from Portland.  She retired and decided this was the best way to celebrate!  I had to agree !

Getting ready " Key West Style"

SISTERS!!!

Now doesn't that look like the happy face of a newly retired person??


I picked Tammy up in Miami and we stopped at the Sea Turtle Hospital on the way back down to Key West. It was so interesting! Their goal is to rehabilitate the turtles to return them to the ocean.  Some will never be well enough to return so they are permanent residents. However, most will be able to go back to their natural home.  Diseases, tumors, and ingestion of human garbage are the main factors that make them sick.

Hey baby what's happening??

They get a disease that causes them to bloat so they can't dive down to get their food.  They actually give them beano!  If that doesn't work they add weights to the back of their shells. We learned so much. It is well worth the stop if any of you are traveling through Marathon, Florida.

See the air pocket...it can't dive

The butterfly conservatory was a must as I knew Tammy would love it. She did!  I wish I had captured her expression as we walked through the doors.  This is my second time and there is no way to describe the awe of having hundreds of butterfly's fluttering around you.  We were there in December and none of the flowers or plants were in bloom. This time the flowers & plants were glorious!

Tammy and I spent a day doing the Ultimate Adventure.  We boarded a catamaran  and went out to a private dock where you could swim, play on water toys, kayak, jet ski and para sail.  The para sailing was amazing.

We were the first to go...I wish we could have watched someone else first!!

Ready for take off... I'm slightly freaked out, lol

Off we go!!

Captain is having a bit of fun dunking us

Yikes that's a long way down

  The mostly guy passengers along with us on the boat were certainly not watching us!

Yep, brought us right back onto the boat... safe and sound.  That was an adventure for sure!!

The second part of the trip we went out to the Atlantic to the reef to snorkel.  I didn't go as I have been snorkeling a lot lately and it was fairly rough, but Tammy enjoyed the scenery...& I get to through her pictures.

So Preston does not have the pictures in order, lol, this was back at the first stop where we went para sailing. Tammy and I swam out to the slide, which was not easy, then climbing to the top...uggg I am realizing I might be getting a bit old for some of this!!!

I made it though!

So did Tammy, she is younger you know!

Her first trip on a jet ski.  Still part of the Ultimate Adventure by Fury.  It was a 6 hour fun filled time, I would highly recommend it to anyone in Key West who wants to experience a little bit of everything. They served breakfast, lunch & drinks too!

Hmmm wonder which one of us has been in the sun all winter?

Tammy, Preston and I spent another part of a day at the State Park here in Key West. It was beautiful day, as you can see!

Sisters enjoying a bit of beach time

In case your lost

One of the many iguanas that love to sun themselves on the rocks.  I think Tammy liked them more than the beach, lol

Cruise ship looked so close coming out of port

The number one attraction in Key West is Mallory Square before sunset.  We have been here 3 1/2 months and finally made it.  All kinds of vendors and entertainers to amuse you while you are waiting for the big event!

The Big Event

I have had a lot of teasing since I have been down here from our new friends about my "OFD"...Obsessive Food Disorder.  It's all about the food!!!  My sister also suffers from this chronic syndrome, as does all of my family. We also have "OWD"...that would be wine!  The entire week she was here was all centered around the food and wine. "EVERYTHING" was planned around that!  We ended up experiencing 19 different eating venues in 6 days. Key West does have some of the best food to offer of anywhere I've  been....wine not so much!

Enjoying a glass of vino

Just one of many wonderful food experiences we had.  Tuna nachos

Tammy also got a chance to meet and spend some time with our dear friends that we hang with all of the time.

Preston,  Bert, Keith, Tammy, Barney Bender Man and hey.....Melody you've gone missing~~

While walking back to the car one night we couldn't quite figure out what this was. Upon closer inspection..

People were watching a move on their boat sail!

For those of you who have kept up with our blog, know that one of my top favorite things I have done was the jet ski trip around Key West.  It was a blast the first time so of course Tammy wanted to do it.  Well....the first time we went out winds about 5 mph....20 mph this time!!  Not so much fun.  We took such a beating from the waves and spray.  The Atlantic side was SO rough with enormous waves.  We made it but I could barely move for days afterwards.  Yes, I do believe I mentioned something about age earlier in this blog??  After we got back we were informed that this is the max on the wind factor that they take people out..

Preston out there...you can't really get a feel for how big these waves were.

Kissing Key West goodbye!

It was the most perfect week with my sister. We had THE BEST TIME EVER !  I already miss her so much!!