Waning Days in Key West

Waning Days of Key West

Lunch at Salute Restaurant with L-R Me, Helen, Georgio, Paul, Sharon, Jan & Rich

It seems that over night Key West has changed, at least in the weather department. The wind is now out of East and very steady and strong, I mean a good 20 miles per hour with gust to 30 mph. This isn’t totally bad because the temperature now climbs to the upper 80’s and the strong wind keeps us cool. Because we are located on the easterly side of the campground, next to the paved tarmac, we don’t experience the slight dusting of Coral dust that blows off the gravel streets downwind from us.
I have mentioned, in a previous blog, that our friends are leaving daily for their homes, in the southern parts of the US. I believe that about half of the park is now vacant. It is sad to see them leave! I know that leaving early would be a mistake because even thought it was a mild winter in New England, winter isn’t over until the middle of April. Maybe April will be wet in New England?

Night Riders

Now that the weather is hotter during the day, it is a perfect time to bike in town at night. People are out and exploring the inner city neighborhoods and this gives one a completely different perspective of the homes and landscaping. Many have landscape lighting that is very cool. Some have stained glass front doors that pop with Key West colors. Most of these back or interior streets have little or no traffic. Our bikes are well lit front and rear. We set all of our LED lights to a blinking pattern. If they can’t see us, it is because they are blind!
Tonight, we biked across town over to the end of White Street to the Bocce courts. At night, the pros gather for intense games. Unlike our leisurely morning games these are serious and cut-throat. Sharon & Georgio play on Thursday nights. I was amazed to see how many teams and people playing. I counted over a hundred players. After watching for a short period of time, we headed towards our campground. Helen’s headlight unclipped from the handlebar at an intersection, I was able to pick up the pieces before any vehicles destroyed the five pieces on the roadway. I couldn’t get it to work, so I had Helen follow me closely. Her red blinking rear light along with mine kept us safe. Back at the ranch, I was able to reassemble the light and got it to work perfectly.

The William Trump

Our Tour Guide

I had heard from the camp host that one could setup a tour of one of the Coast Guard Cutters. Well, I went over to the Coast Guard Headquarters and the tour was setup for last Friday at 11 am. I had three couples going on the tour. Friday morning was hectic! Before the tour, I moved our 5th wheel to a new site closer to the internet repeater. I did manage to be ready for the 11am tour. One couple backed out, but four of us showed up. Our Coast Guard guide started by explaining what their mission was down here in Key West, the Gulf and even on the Atlantic side. He then started at the bow of the ship and explained all of the surface compartments and functions. Entering the ship, I was sort of surprised that most of the interior was air conditioned. As we continued the tour, I was also surprised to see what powered this “Intercepter Cutter”…two four thousand horse power turbos with each having twin turbo chargers. On the electrical end, the William Trump can produce enough electrical power to power three sister ships at once. We were allowed to take some photos, but on the bridge, which is pretty sophisticated, we could only look and gawk! Impressive, I would say best describes the bridge.

Ready to launch!

Our tour ended on the aft deck. This happened to be at the exact time of a launch of their well boat from the interior of the ship. The rear gate opened and the powerful fast water craft moved out into the water. I was allowed to video this part of the tour. Hopefully, I will be able to insert the link to this launch in this blog.

That is what we saw and did!

US Coast Guard ~ "The Boarding"

US Coast Guard ~ Boarding

US Coast Guard ~Safety Inspection

Pano View of Key West

Last Friday, after our Bocce game, we were invited by Sharon and Georgio, our local Bocce leaders/organizers, to an outing on their pontoon boat “The Captain Groovy” . Eight of us were onboard as we left the Stock Island Marina. A quick note about the Marina; The docking area is somewhat limited, but through clever design, it accommodates many vessels of different types. A giant forklift wheels around and picks your boat from large enclosed buildings. It then brings your boat to the water’s edge and lowers it down some ten feet into the water. It is a neat operation!
Leaving the Marina, I got my bearings as to where it is located in relation to Key West and Boca Chica, to the North. Georgio headed along the Easterly side towards Key West. This gave us a good view of the beaches along Atlantic Boulevard. By now the munchies were out along with drinks, which we all brought. The ocean was relatively calm and as things settled down we could appreciate the clear water below. I asked Georgio how deep the water below us was and he looked at his depth gauge, he said, “17 feet". We could see the bottom like it was only two feet deep!

My mind was racing with these thoughts

Looking around, one could also see several types of boats on the water… jet skis, fishing boats, sailboats and a little further out, a Coast Guard patrol boat. It was apparent that the patrol boat was also eyeing us. It was quickly closing in on our pontoon boat. US Coast Guard safety check came over the loud speaker. Georgio shutoff our 75 horsepower motor. The Coast Guard idled their 900 horsepower three outboard motors. A Coast Guard crew member hollered out. “Any weapons on board”, “No” replied Georgio. What followed was a routine Coast Guard Safety Check, but my mind was racing with all kinds of scenarios! Would they send us back to Cuba like the refugees that don’t make land? Helen asked if we could take pictures of the safety check. They said, “yes, no problem”! That was my cue to start taking pictures. The pictures that I took were of a serious nature at the time, but as I started to look at them later my mind exploded with all kinds of bullet statements!
In all seriousness, the US Coast Guard crew were very professional and did an outstanding job of keeping us safe with all of the requirement papers and safety devices!

Key West ~ From the Gulf to Atlantic

After the boarding and a good safety check experience, it was time to get back to exploring the rest of Key West, from the water side. When one rounds the point, by Fort Zachary Taylor, where the two bodies of water meet, it became a little choppy for about three or four minutes. At this time, we, who were sitting towards the bow of the pontoon got a few splashing waves. I’m glad I had left my wallet back in the truck! My iPhone was secured in a plastic baggy.
Two cruise ships were docked down by Mallory Square and made for a nice panorama picture. We continued to Sunset Key across from Mallory Square. Sunset Key is where the rich and famous live. A restricted ferry is the only access to this Key. There are roads, but no vehicles allowed. There is a restaurant which you can make reservations for, but if you’re not on the restaurant reservation list, you not going on the ferry. It’s easy to lay down $100 for lunch! I’ll stick to “Five Guys”.

Doesn't Paul remind you of the
movie "African Queen"

The next closest Key is Christmas Island. Ironically, this is inhabited by vagrants. Go figure! From the richest to the poorest, nearly within shouting distance.

"Angel" come on in!

Sunset Key to the right!

Angel the retriever! 

From the tour around the westerly tip of Key West, we headed back towards Stock Island, but with another destination. Georgio took us to a sand bar. Unfortunately, the tide was higher and about two feet of water was over the sand bar. This didn’t deter our sand bar adventure. Paul took charge and jumped in. He grabbed the anchor and pulled us in closer and set the anchor into the sand. A few of us got off the pontoon boat and walked and explored this “island in the sea”. Angel, the Lab, was pacing back and forth and finally took the plunge and joined into the fun. Sally had brought a ball catapult and Angel had a “ball” retrieving. Reed, Ginny, Sharon, Helen and I stayed on board to take pictures. We weren’t the only ones on the sand bar. A bunch of jet skis were on the far side and were also frolicking in the knee deep water. I’m told that when the tide is at the low point, one can actually have a picnic on the pure sand bar. It’s ironic that Key West doesn’t really have any sand beaches. The sand is brought in, I’m told, but just off shore there is plenty of this commodity. Go figure!

That what we saw and did!

Dusk to Dawn

Reflections

Living Room ~ Reflection

One of the most enjoyable “private of times” that I’ve experienced, here in the Key West, is my early, early morning walk to the washroom. What I’m talking about, is walking out of the camper door and looking up! The moon and stars are crisp and bright. The horizon has some dim city lights, but for the most part, the heavens are clearly visible. It was brought to my attention that the Keys are a perfect place to view the stars and firmament. This statement was said by 600 Astronomers, who recently descended on the Keys to view the planets. For a time, a long time, in the month of February, the planets were all lined up in a vertical line from due East to the West. Another reason for viewing the stars is the simple fact that the nights are not cold. I know if I was home up in New Hampshire, I certainly wouldn’t be outside at six in the morning with the temperature down to 18 degrees. In any event, I enjoy my little three minute walk up the shower room.
After doing my morning duties, the walk back to the camper is also rewarding. By now the sun has not risen, but the horizon is now glowing a very bright orange! Its even better if a few scattered clouds are present. The colors explode!

From the Bridge to Fleming Key

Back at the camper, Helen is usually already gone to the shower room. I like to cook my own breakfast and get that started. Coffee on, getting the frying pan on the stove and I like to “pan grill” my toast! I always have to decide what’s on the menu for this morning’s breakfast. Cereal, oatmeal, maybe eggsover easy with hash browns, it always works out.
By this time, I’ve got all the shades up and the sun is exploding light all over the living room, my breakfast is finished and than I take to my recliner in the living room and sip on my hot coffee and relax watching the birds start their day. Pelicans start in small groups of three and soar above the channel between Trumbo Point and Fleming Key. These Pelicans are juveniles, I’m told, and are just learning the migration ritual. They will be here until the end of March before migrating North. Soon many other species are flying above the campground. All are silhouetted against the bright morning sun light.

Daily Routine

During Lent, we attend 7:30 mass at Basilica St Mary Star of the Sea before starting the days activities. If other commitments don’t interfere, I will do my power bike run on Fleming Key. This involves pedaling hard for 12 miles, nonstop. This may sound grueling, but I’m getting used to it now and this 12 mile run takes around 50 minutes. My personal goal is to break the 1000 miles on the bike’s odometer. That’s not 1000 miles this winter, but a good 500 doubling last year’s goal. I feel confident that I will meet my goal. I’ve got over halfway completed already. If I ride another eleven days, I will be over my goal.

On the Beach or Lecture Room

Our Gated Community Security

One would think that we would be sitting on the beach all day soaking up the sun! That is not the case. Amazingly we are busy attending different activities from Bocce, computer classes at the Monroe County Library (free), meeting friends for lunch, maybe helping fellow RV campers with maintenance issues and so fort. We have also been interested in going to different lectures on different topics from photography of Cuba to history topics such as the “Spanish American War” which was very prominent in Key West history. The sinking of the “Battleship Maine” (which now is disputed…more likely an internal explosion in a coal bunker which further exploded the ammunition magazine.) I never realized that the Spanish American War resulted in our acquisition or influence of Hawaii, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba. It’s interesting stuff, in that we are living in this area of history. As a quote, Harry Truman once said, “The only new history is what you haven’t read!”

Snowbirds are North Bound

Yes, it may be still winter in New England, but the mid and lower States must be warming. The annual snowbird departure has started. The camp host, Janet told me today that we now have 30 sites available here at Trumbo Point. Our departure won’t be until mid April (tentatively).

When and If ~ Not Cuba

Our minds are made up! We will not go on the “When and If” sailboat to Cuba this year. Instead, we will put in our names for a trip next year with a garden group!

That what we saw and did!