Ten Days

Full moon sunset at the Sunset Grille with the
Seven Mile Bridge in the background.

I just realized it has been eleven days since my last post.  Time sure flies when you're having fun and have we ever had fun!  Mere arrived two days after Cory and Jess left.  We then embarked on 7 days of fun in the sun.  The weather warmed right up to the 80's and the sun refused to be hidden by the clouds until the day she left.  Since she had never been to the keys it was fun taking her to places we had been and seeing many new places with her.  That is the joy of having a vehicle here, you can see way more if your traveling isn't dictated by your ability to pedal!

In Key West we started our search for a parking space....that took a lot of driving around really narrow streets in a really big truck...we finally opted for a pay for the day lot near the Harbor.  We did the usual bar hopping because a trip to Key West with a 'newbie' isn't complete without that.

We started at Schooner Wharf where we were regaled with some really bad music, then we went to Irish Kevin's where the entertainment there was terrific. 

 We walked the entire length of Duval which is the main drag  to the Southernnost Point loaded with tourist traps bars and restaurants.....tres' Key West.

FINALLY MADE IT!

Meredith got to see the Roosters which had multiplied ten fold since the previous weekend,( I guess they like the warm weather better too)   Since Mallory Square and the big sunset (fiasco) was way too crowded for us we opted for the happy hour at Alonzo's Oyster Bar at the harbor where we got our first taste of Conch Ceviche (pronounced sa vee chey)......WOW  it was fabulous.  Raw conch marinated in lime juice and peppers, Delicious!! Then we decided we were full, tired and ready to call it a day!!

A TALL SHIP SUNSET CRUISE CLOSE TO THE WALL
MALLORY SQUARE AT SUNSET

Back in Marathon we went to Bahia Honda State Park where dummy here forgot her camera.  On Sunday we took the boat out seven miles into the Atlantic and saw a huge Loggerhead Turtle and the Sombrero Reef Tower with boats enjoying a day of snorkeling.

Sombrero Reef Light 4 miles off of the West end of Vaca Key (Marathon).  They have mooring balls as you are not allowed to anchor near the reef.  Great snorkeling we hear.

Fresh Mahi (Dolphin Fish, not the Mammal) ready to go on the grill....yummm

Juvenile Manatee near the dinghy dock at Boot Key Harbor

So as you can see we ran her ragged, but the end result was worth the effort.
I think she had a good time...and will be back