I was going to lay off posting for a while because we have three more weeks here and we’re settling into a slow routine that’s not exciting, not blog-worthy.
But last night I spoke with my friend Susan who complained about her cold weather, and yesterday Toby said on Instagram that he has Keys envy, and another friend called early this morning from his hotel room, with time on his hands right after his dad died. So, I can definitely come up with a post to help you all imagine the sunshine here and the breeze in the palm trees.
Morning Walk to Bahia Honda
I’ve been getting off the island some mornings by walking along the perilous highway bridge over to the state park on the next Key. Here’s a view from where I pass under the bridge to get over to the park: bright graffiti.
And although I always walk around the campground there to see what unusual RVs have pulled in lately, I also sometimes get glimpses out in the water like this.
I believe that’s the old railroad bridge, clearly no longer in use.
Farmer’s Market
Friday mornings we walk to the group of stalls that vendors set up at the entrance to our RV park. They call it a farmer’s market, but there’s only one stall of produce, probably wholesale stuff instead of directly from the farmer. We buy it at inflated prices anyway because that delays us having to order from a grocery store an hour away.
There’s one fish stand as well (see below on what Tracy makes with that), and otherwise it’s tourist stuff. I’m partial to the Turkish towels clothier, who has a bargain bin I sort through carefully each week. New clothes, what a treat!
Plus I enjoy banter with the guy who encourages me to buy everything there; he’s a drag queen on Key West at night and a Turkish towel pusher in parking lots by day. I think that sums up the Keys pretty well.
Here’s one meal Tracy’s made with shrimp we get each week at the fish stand. He also grills fish on our new little grill, and I’m delighted by it. I’m going to tackle using it soon with veggies.
Afternoon Walks
After lunch, Tracy takes Banjo around to the salt water lagoon under the bridge, where Banjo rustles up any small wildlife she can find in the bushes and Tracy watches the white heron living over there.
Yesterday we spent the afternoon showing my kayak to a couple; they run a kayak touring business from the Chincoteague area in the summer and from down here (plus Costa Rica) in the winter. What a business to have! This week they’re talking with a partner about my kayak and getting back to me (I hope).
They said it’s in great condition and perfect for the occasional small customer, but the storage hatches might be too small for the gear they pack for long trips. The may come over with a load of gear to see if they can fit it in. Fingers crossed. I think. Whenever someone compliments something you’re selling, you suddenly don’t know if you want to sell it!
If I talk with you on the phone during the day, here’s where I’m standing. The wind has been strong enough that we’re having trouble getting decent signal from the Mega Antenna, but if I stand exactly here and don’t move, I get two bars! It’s also where the farmers market sets up Friday mornings.
Evening Walks
Sometimes I grab Tracy and we walk around the campground together, him admiring the few old trees here and me pointing at people’s outdoor bars.
We walk around the edge of the park to see what kind of set-up people have on their waterfront sites, and we walk to the “sunset pier” either way before or after sunset to avoid people on it. One day I’ll figure out how to get on this thing not shoulder to shoulder with people and get a photo of the actual sunset!
We both enjoy staring at the fish in the marina right b the pier; they congregate near the fish-cleaning station. Here are a few parrot fish and the ubiquitous yellow and black striped fish, all frolicking while the nurse shark is away.
The photo at the very top is a sunset view from right outside our trailer. I saw it out the window while we were inside FaceTiming with Bob and Ben, and I’m glad I jumped out to a break in the RVs and captured the scene.
There’s some daily life for you all who are in the snow and sleet today, and for my friend in his hotel room waiting for the aftermath of a close loss in his family. That feeling is still raw for me, so maybe these pictures are for me, as well.
You guys, please keep safe.
Edited to add this shot I took after I wrote this, on Banjo and my morning walk.
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