Kind of a blah day

It's cold today. High of about 65 degrees, but the wind makes it feel colder. It might get down to the 50's tonight, but I can't complain after hearing about the weather and illnesses at home and the record high's here the last few weeks (high 80's).

I decided to spend the day writing. I've had some great suggestions on my Florida story from my friends and was ready for a rewrite. As the day went on my concentration wondered. I'm not sure why. I think I'm getting a little homesick today. I love it here. I feel so relaxed. I've had time to write and time to read. When I feel bad I can lay down without feel guilty about it. But, I do miss my friends, my daughters, and of course, MacKenzie.

I've been sending MacKenzie postcards. Cassie said MacKenzie has a little purse she puts them in and carries it everywhere she goes. So I send more postcards. It warms my soul to know she thinks of me. But, it also makes me miss her.

I'll get to see Penni when she comes to Big Pine Key. It's the next key south of me just over seven miles bridge. I wonder if it will just make me miss all of my friends even more. Can you tell I'm a bit melancholy today? I have never been away from my daughters this long. I'll be home mid-April and I know time will pass so fast I won't even realize it is April.

We're going to stay on Marathon Key for two more weeks (the plan so far). We only plan about two to three weeks in advance. We have decided to bypass Orlando for now. It made us tired just thinking about Disneyworld. My friend, Melanie, wants me to come to Pilgrimage to work. It is the March 24th to April 5th. There are only six four-hour tours I would work with them. That would put me home the second week in April.

The RV has been very comfortable. I can see how people live in them full-time. We have everything we need. Steve and I have been in this space together since we left and haven't had the first argument. We seem to agree on most things, and what we disagree on, well, I haven't found anything we disagree on yet. We both have the same limits in energy so we flow together well.

So, that is my day. How was yours?

Diana

We've enjoyed every sunset here in the Keys. I posted pictures in the next post so you could enjoy it also.

It's still a wonderful trip and we don't want to leave, so maybe we won't for a while. We're debating staying here or going to Orlando. It's anybody's guess right now.

Sunset at Key West

Sunset Celebration, yet again

Arrg, me mateys! Ye have been good mates to me, but there is more bounty out there to be had! Me new mateys have shanghaied me off to the world of piracy. Great treasures are to be had. Great adventures on the high seas. You will see me in months to come with me parrot on me shoulder and me treasure wrapped around me neck. Arrg!!!

Our snorkeling trip

We took a boat out to Sombrero Reef. It's about three miles out into the ocean and took us about 45 minutes to get there. We have some underwater pictures (and pictures of me that Steve took) that we haven't developed yet. They are on my water camera on 35mm. So old fashioned. The lighthouse is Sombrero lighthouse. It's the oldest of its kind in Florida. We got to snorkel about two hours, but after an hour I sat in the boat and enjoyed the sunshine.

The snorkeling was good, about 20 ft. visibility. We saw barracuda, angelfish, lots of fish I that I didn't recognize (but they were pretty) and lots of coral. Steve wants to take me to snorkel John Penningcamp in Key Largo. He said it's prettier. All and all it was a good trip for us.

Sunset Celebration, again

Every night this sailboat crosses the sunset. Every night it is just as beautiful.

These street performers are amazing. This guy was over the ocean!!!

Duval Street, Key West

Duval Street!!!!! Full of motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and cars. I found the cruise ship schedule so we won't have to fight the crowds anymore. The first day we went there were three cruise ships in port. Whoo!!!!

Sloppy Joe's Bar is the home of the original sloppy joe. I haven't eaten there yet, but we did eat at Margaritaville, and yes, we had a cheeseburger in paradise. Can you believe it, I forgot to take a picture.

You can see how hard Steve is working at fishing. Nana is real comfortable around the water. We didn't catch anything, but something was eating our bait the whole time we were there. It would eat right around the hook. It became our mission to see what was getting our bait. We never did. Better luck next time.

Sunsets

Every sunset is unique.

Every sunset is beautiful.

Every sunset amazes me.

Every sunset is the end of one life and a the start of another.

So many sunsets in life.

So many sunrises to anticipate.

So much life to live.

We spent the day in Key West, ate at the Hog's Breath Saloon, and watched the sunset. It was pretty cloudy today, but it is always beautiful. There were three cruise ships in port and it was packed. Thank goodness they all left before sunset. We went through the Mel Fisher museum to see the treasure he found in the ocean. The ship Attocha sank just off the coast of Key West in the 1600's. There was a 75 carot emerald!!! It's amazing what all survived under the ocean. Tomorrow is a day of rest. The next day, who knows?

Wild Woman

I have been reading "Dance of the Dissident Daughter" by Sue Monk Kidd. I have realized why there have been so many frustrations in being a woman. I feel like dancing naked around a fire and exploring my femininity . There is not a fire pit around my campsite, so I asked Steve if I could dance naked around the propane grill. Too bad there are so many people around, it could be quite interesting.

Our main priority for each day is to watch the sunset. We gather with the other RVers by the pier with a cocktail and wait for the beauty. Some people have actually said 'it wasn't as good tonight.' Each sunset is so different, how can we judge. After sunset we walk the rock wall along the water and watch the lobsters come out. The first picture is the lobsters, if you can see them. It's hard to photograph them.

Last night we drove to Big Pine Key to see the Key Deer. They are about three feet tall from the ground to the top of their head. They are an endangered species and the only place you can see them is on Big Pine Key. Steve has been here several times and has never seen one. We went for a haircut on Big Pine Key last week and the locals told us they were everywhere. They told us where to drive to at sunset to see them. The deer drive the locals mad because they get into their flowers and gardens and they can't do anything about it, like the chickens in Key West. We found a few. They seemed tame because our car didn't phase them. It was pretty cool. On the way we stopped at The Blue Hole on Big Pine Key. We saw a huge alligator floating through the water. The lake was beautiful. It's park of the deer key refuge.

We didn't want to ride our motorcycles all the way to Key West and Key Largo. That is all we could fit on our tow dolly. The front ends of my, or Steve's, car was too long. We spent a day in Miami looking at cars. We found this '94 Honda Passport for a song and it will tow. It's not much to look at, but it runs great. It even has four-wheel drive. It's been nice to have a car to get around in. I went over seven mile bridge on my scooter. It was a real windy day and I thought I would get blown off. I knew then the forty five minute drive to Key West was out of the question. So, isn't it great????

Someone asked me for a picture of me on my bike. So here it is. We were getting ready to on a ride to an art show down the road. Of course, I put on my helmet and gloves before we left. Safety first. It was a great art show. We met some real interesting artists from Key West. Steve and I talked to one artist for about an hour. We talked about "The Secret" and he recited poetry he had written. He was really good. I hated to leave, but we were interfering with his business. I don't think he cared, though.

All and all it was a good day. Steve is feeling a little better. My Reiki treatments have helped him a lot. He is a true believer now. I'm getting plenty of practice. I'm hoping Steve is feeling all right tomorrow because I want to go fishing again. We haven't been doing a lot while we're here, but that's the point. We cook fresh shrimp and scallops every other night and watch the sunset every night. Whether it is from the RV camp, Key West, or the fishing pier. We're going to try to go snorkeling next week, and maybe to Key West for a museum. But no big plans. And it happens whenever. No problem Man.

A fish tale

I forgot to mention the lager head turtle. We were fishing off the bridge and Steve pointed to the water. A beautiful sea turtle was swimming by. It looked like it was swimming in slow motion. It must have been at least 100 lbs. It's large head raised above the water and took a deep breath, then it sunk back into the ocean. It was one of those moments in time that was shared by the turtle for us to enjoy. What a wonderful experience.

The Real Residents of Key West

We can see who rules Key West. Chickens are protected and no one can touch them. So, we're eating in a restaurant and chickens are wondering around us. They come and go as they please all over Key West.

The one above is sitting on top of the Hog's Breath saloon. My guess is he is ready to crow with the music.

They also have the right away on the roads.

Sunset in Key West

Every night people gather in Mallory Square to watch the sunset. The celebration begins with carnival acts and art vendors and ends with the sun setting over the ocean. After it sets, their is applause. All as one, stopping for a moment to appreciate the wonders of the world.

Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Moby Dick!!! Well, maybe not, but at least I caught a fish. He put up a pretty good fight. You should see the one that got away. I was going to keep him and name him, but Steve said he would smell up the RV. I guess we'll settle for dogs.

The one I caught is a Sea Bass. His teeth are like little needles and VERY sharp. Steve caught a pretty one with blue stripes. He caught five and I caught one. We drove down to a bridge and just fished off the bridge.
There are parking spots right before the bridge and a walkway beside the bridge to fish from. We started catching them as soon as we hit the bridge. The other fishermen were eyeing us. I think they wanted our spot.

Did I mention this is the first fish I've ever caught? Pretty exciting, huh?





What do you think?

Angela Bassett

Lance Bass

Any other suggestions?

My New Awareness

I learned something special today. I learned to be. Just be.

I have a to do list of what I want to see while I'm in the Keys. So far not much has been accomplished. Steve wasn't feeling well, then my CFS kicked in for a few days. We're still resting and we've been here a week. I wondered when we would do it all. Snorkel in Penningcamp, party on Duval during sunset, watch the key deer, find the manatee, and that was the first four on a two page list.

I walked the dogs this morning, as I always do. It has become a chore. I followed behind, blue doggy bag in hand so we wouldn't leave a trail on the way to the dog park. I waited impatiently while they ran around the park marking every spot any other dog had been to since we last visited. I hurried back to our campground so I could get inside and (1) check my email (2) journal (3) plan the day. I came to the campground and sat on the picnic table for the dog's one last chance before we went back inside. Ahead of me was the ocean. How did I miss that? It's beautiful. Green and blue with calm ripples skimming the top. An occasional boat crosses the horizon. The pelicans dive for their breakfast while cranes stand tall against the water. The white is such a beautiful contrast on the water. Why hadn't I noticed this earlier?

I was reading Thich Nhat Hanh a few days ago about aimlessness. Buddishm calls it wishlessness. "We must learn to stop from time to time in order to see clearly." In another chapter he discusses using a bell to bring himself back to the present. "Listen, listen. This wonderful sound will brings me back to my true self." My bell is the ocean. It always has been. This is my realization. The ocean will bring me back to my true self so I can practice aimlessness.

I pulled out my lounge chair and set it in the shade where I could see the water. I tied the dogs close to the shade so they could enjoy the open air. I opened my journal and I wrote about my realization. Then I did nothing. I didn't even take any pictures. I savored the image in my mind. I sat aimlessly and did nothing. I did nothing until it was too hot to do nothing, so I went inside to cool off so I can do more nothing later.

This is a practice I will continue everyday while we're on our quest. It's a shame it took 52 years and an extended RV trip for this realization. When I return I will take time everyday, even five minutes, and do nothing, for doing nothing is something.

Nastame