Steve said no one would believe I drove the RV so he took a picture. We're going down Highway 1 through the keys. The RV is 37 ft long with a 3 ft hitch pulling a 10 ft tow dolly. I'm getting really good at driving.

Pictures in Grassy Key

Marathon, Grassy Key

I wrote almost this whole blog last night, downloaded (excuse me, uploaded as Steve corrected me) all of the pictures, then hit some random key and the whole thing disappeared. Instead of getting upset I closed the laptop and went for a walk on the beach. So, I'm trying again today. I'll Reiki my computer so it doesn't do this again.

We are in Marathon, FL on Grassy Key. It's off the north side of Marathon. It's a short drive to town. They have everything but a Walmart. The locals said there will never be a Walmart because it would spoil the atmosphere. I agree. Other than Publix and Walgreens, there are only Mom and Pop business. It keeps the islands quaint. The RV park is great. There is plenty of room to stretch out (some of the parks have the RVs so close to each other that you can't put out the awning, like Ft. Meyers). This is definitely a younger crowd, well our age. Several motorcycles around us. It's amazing how many people our age ride motorcycles. I think most of the Harley riders are over 50.

So, I digress, The RV park is right on the water. I'm posting pictures of the waterfront. We're about two rows back from the water. I can see the water from our picnic table. For those of you that are RV illiterate, all the campsites have a picnic table and hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. This one has cable TV. We have satellite, but we can't pick up local stations so we opted for cable here. People are very friendly in RV parks. It's like motorcycle riders, there is a kinship among those that ride. Same for RVer's.

Every evening everyone brings a cocktail and sits in the Tiki area by the ocean to watch the sunset. Then we all go to the retaining wall to watch the lobsters come out to eat. We had to sign a form saying we would not take any lobsters. It's fun, they peak out from the wall, then slowing work their way out to the open water. They have a dog park, so we take the dogs a couple of times a day and sit on the bench so the dogs can run. It's really an incredible place.

Yesterday we went to Bahia Honda State Park. It has the only natural beach in the Keys. Any other beach is man made. There is not a beach at the RV park, but there are steps to go into the water to swim or snorkel. We stayed a couple of hours and sat in the sun. We rode out motorcycles over there. I don't know if I mentioned we didn't bring a car. We couldn't fit either car on the tow dolly with the motorcycles, so we opted for bikes. We'll rent a car if we need one. We'll probably get one to go to Key West, 7 mile bridge would be rough on my little scooter. The wind whips me all around on the little bridges.

Of the pictures posted above, the sunsets were taken off the pier in the RV park, as were the bird pictures. Cassie called and wanted to know where the pictures were of me, so put that one in. I'll have to take more of me. I guess all of them were taken here except the beach picture. I'll keep posting and hope you will endure my long, rambling blogging.

Stay warm,
Diana

Yesterday I chose a sunset over the ocean for no particular reason. I had the choice of a sunset or a sunrise over the ocean, that's what mattered. I took the time to ponder my choice and realized I could have both in one day. So many directions I can turn, it is up to my. My choices are in front of me, my reality is ready to be made. It is my right to choose.

The Everglades

What an incredible ecosystem. Spanish moss hangs from the cypress trees next to marshes full of saw grass. The air boat we rode gracefully skimmed the three feet of water, careful to avoid birds and alligators. The birds posed for us. Cranes, egrets, blue heron, and ravens flew all around us.

We rode motorcycles along Highway 41 skirting the marshes. Occasionally a blue heron would fly beside me, curious of my path. We rode through the Miccosukee Indian reservation and stopped to eat at their restaurant. That is where we found the air boat. Cotton in our ears and the breeze in our face, we experienced why God made these marshes. It is beautiful.

Our RV campground surrounds monument lake. A small lake, but full of alligators, we watch our dogs carefully, even though I haven't seen one yet here. We lounge in our chairs as the sun sets over the lake. Another incredible sight.

Tomorrow we leave for Marathon Key. We will be there a month so we can truly experience the keys. Highs are in the mid seventy's and lows are in the mid fifty's. Weather to die for. This blog is great. I feel like I'm sharing every moment with you.

sunset in Ft. Meyers

I am here.
I am always here.
I feel the sunset
on the world's edge
every day
of my life.
This is where
I belong.
This is home.

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