Weekend in Key West

Friday, we drove down to Key West. I may be beguiled by the orange canopies of the royal poincianas and the various colors of bougainvillea blooms, but the Keys look like they've recovered from Hurricane Irma's devastation two years ago. Granted many (most?) of the pines on Big Pine Key look dead, and there are large swatches of mangroves that don't have any sign of life. However, the majority of the areas have greened back up.

Tarpon at Robbie's Marina  

Lots of new housing is being built, mostly on stilts and painted pastel colors. A different look from the old key bungalows, but not as bad as I had feared. After all the hurricane damage,  I worried that huge resorts would spring up behind walls and gates, giving a Disney look to what was the home of the Conch Republic. So far, so good.

Still Some Conch Republic Around  

 Up early Saturday to catch the ferry for a snorkeling trip to the Dry Tortugas. I've spent my whole life in Florida and never been out there. Life is starting to seem in now-or-never time, so I immediately signed up when friends suggested we go. We schlepped snorkeling gear, chairs, and a cabana I bought but never tried. We did look like pack mules, but was that cabana a good idea! There is almost no shade on the island, then poof, we opened the cabana like an umbrella; instant shade held down by our chairs.

The Retaining Wall  

Clara and I snorkeled along the shore because I was hesitant to take her very far out without air vests since I am no longer a strong swimmer. Another indignity of old age which can be solved by throwing money at it. I will buy vests for our next snorkel adventure. She was thrilled at seeing a large barracuda chasing bait fish, since she had prepared for the occasion by taking out her earrings in case a predator might be attracted to them!

Brown Noddy  

Camping is an open area next to the fort. Way too hot this time of year even with lots of swimming. Plus no fresh water on the island so every drop has to be carried in with your camping gear. I am considering the allowed 4-day stay next the winter, but it seems like less return on energy investment than I had hoped. The attraction is that the islands are nesting areas for sooty terns, frigate birds, and brown noddies. To come back and camp is currently TBD.

Back to Key West, exhausted from swimming and full from dinner, we staggered to our elegant room at the Artist House. Clara declared the blanket on her pullout sofa the softest blanket she's ever felt and was asleep moments later. Grant and I collapsed on the four poster bed and let the snoring begin.

(I loved the bathroom: built where there was a porch,

now incorporated into our room, but with the original walls remaining. Just beautiful.)