Christmas in the Keys Part 2

I wanted to post what I had written up on the Keys trip.  As we went along, internet service was not available and I'm just now having a chance to post.
Monday, We were greeted by a cloudy cold day. Delaying the Glass Boat Ride until afternoon, we piled into Big Mama and went to a Wild Bird Sanctuary. Most of the birds have been rescued usually as a result of encounters with people. Types included owls, hawks, falcons, pelicans, egrets, herons, kestrels, peregrines, to name a few. Asking for advice on a lunch spot, we went as directed to the Island Grill on Islamorada. Located overlooking the water oceanside, we chose the inside seating as did everyone else. The crunchy yellowtail snapper sandwich was delicious and we had a lively discussion much of which dealt with our Roadtreks. Heading back we tried to find a historic area of Tavernier Key without success but did get down some local residential streets. Negotiating my vehicle with bike rack on the back was a challenge in many spots particularly at the bird sanctuary. After Deb and Carolyn tried to coax me through a turnaround, a man whose work was car auctions offered to take the wheel and do the job. His was one of 3 or 4 cars blocked at the time! Later in the afternoon, Susan, Janet and I made the 3:15 Pennecamp glass bottom boat ride to the Molasses reef. Despite the fading light and cloudy skies the visibility was good and lots of fish and coral formations were seen.

Tuesday There was a bit more sunshine and a slight rise in temperatures. After a leisurely start, one by one, we left the Key Largo Kampground and Marina. It is a very well kept place with lots of trees and has a small beach as well as a pool. Jolly Roger on Grassy Key bayside, was our next stop. We were coaxed into tight campsites by a staff member. We walked over to the nearby Dolphin Research Center, originally the location of the movie Flipper and where the dolphins in that film were trained. Some of the dolphins living there today are the descendants. Children and adults participated in feeding and sometimes swimming with the dolphins. We enjoyed the shows seeing the one month old newest dolphin and his mother. We met another Solo woman Roadtreker, Katherine, who is town assisting her seriously ill sister. She hopes to visit with us again further down the Keys. She was a volunteer at the Dolphin Center last summer and so could provide us with some insider information.Returning to the campground we packed up beverages and snacks and headed to the picnic tables on the water where we had a wonderful view of a beautiful sunset. No one wanted dinner after that. Susan, Carolyn and I played dominoes well into the evening while Deb and Janet watched TV.

Wednesday The departure from Jolly Roger Campground was delayed. Susan’s site was very tight and tree roots caught on her undercarriage as she attempted to pull out. The result was a broken bracket to which a large outside storage drawer was attached. Maintenance personnel attempted to reattach the drawer without success. Finally it was determined that the drawer could be removed and stored until she picked it up on the return trip. Behind the drawer was her sanitation hoses which had to be secured. It was an ordeal and poor Susan’s vehicle had a gapping hole in the side. We all arrived at the Sugarloaf KOA campground around noon and after a quick lunch piled into Deb’s Roadtrek for the drive into Key West. Though the parking lot said full, it had a lot of space. We separated to tour on our own with a meeting at 5 p.m to see the sunset on Mallory square. It wasn’t too crowded and most of the shops were hawking $5 t-shirts. Only one cruise ship was in port, Fascination, a Carnival Ship. The weather was warmer with clouds threatening off and on. Everyone enjoyed the fireeaters, jugglers, acrobats, and musicians entertaining the sunset crowd. The Sunset itself was disappointing. We made our way back to the parking lot where we found our cost was only $12. We stopped at the Key Lime Pie store and Janet bought a pie for our Christmas eve dinner. Before returning to the campground we had dinner at Mangrove Mama’s nearby.

Thursday Christmas Eve Janet decided to head back into Key West via the bus. The rest of us went in search of the small Key deer and alligators on Big Pine Key. We spotted a number of deer but no alligators’. We did see Iguanas both at the Blue Hole where alligators are usually seen and near the Bahia Honda Beach. Our lunch at No Name Pub which is covered with dollar bills was fun and we were joined by Katherine who we had met on Tuesday. We returned to the campground and prepared dinner with Carolyn making a wonderful soup, Susan, fajitas and I made a big salad. Katherine joined us as well as Noell and Lyn who are part of RVing Women Carolyn invited. Janet returned from a successful day in Key West with transportation costs of $2!

Friday Christmas Day: We had a special breakfast Christmas morning with eggs scrambled with cheese and ham and 4 different Christmas breads. After some debate about going into Key West to see the Butterfly House where Noelle works, we opted to just “hang out” at the campground. I rode my bicycle, we sat on the campground beach. Our vehicles were prepared for the next day departure. Carolyn was headed into Key West and would take Janet to the airport. Deb had reserved a spot at the Key Largo Campground where we’d stayed the first two nights. Susan and I had hoped to spend a night in the Everglades but decided with her drawer taking up most of her interior space together with soggy rugs from a water pump that didn’t shut off, we would save that adventure for another trip. I would go to Sarasota.

Saturday The GPS seemed to be confused as I came into the Miami area but after trying its directions, I turned around and headed for the Turnpike entrance. Along the way I telephoned Les’s brother Bob and arranged to have dinner with them. All was going well until south of Ft. Myers I decided to change lanes due to a very slow car in the right hand lane. I thought I checked for cars but as I pulled into the middle lane my left front tire made contact with a small silver car. It seemed to me that the car just suddenly materialized. We both pulled over to the shoulder. There didn’t seem to be much damage to either vehicle. The other driver was in his son’s car and wanted to get a police report. I telephoned 911 which switched me to the Florida Highway Patrol. It seemed to be a long time coming but a very helpful patrolman responded. He did not ticket me and estimated my damage at under $100. He pointed out that the weight put on to balance my tires had been what made the contact slightly denting the right rear side fender of the BMW. There were marks on my tire as well as that of the BMW but no serious damage. The whole thing took about an hour which resulted in arriving at the Turtle Beach campground at just about dark. Fortunately there was someone to help me with the gate code and guide me into my site. I was still upset and needed all the help I could get. This is a very nice campground, close to the beach but with tight turning areas. I called the insurance company to report the accident. Bob and Sara arrived soon after at nearby Turtle Beach Pub across the road from the campground where we had an enjoyable though noisy dinner.

Sunday Bob and Sara picked me up and we joined the rest of the Larsen tribe for a brunch at the apartment of Les’s first wife. All his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild Adalyn were there. It was great to visit with everyone again and I ate so much that it was my last meal of the day.Later sailing friends Richard and Veda came to the campground and we enjoyed catching up and seeing each other’s travel photos. They took a cruise around South America which is something on my list.

Monday A day with warm sunshine but cool temperatures. I took advantage of my beach proximity for a long walk. Stepdaughter Susan Blue invited me to join them on the Siesta Crescent beach which is one of the top beaches in the world with incredible white sand. I went by bicycle, about a five mile trip along a fairly busy 2 lane road. There is a small bike lane on either side but it was a bit unnerving. After time of the beach we headed over to the pool where the rest of the family was trying to keep warm as the wind increased and temperature dropped. I decided to bike back to the campground before it was much worse. Sailing friend Eric and his friend Shirley visited, and Eric and I reminisced about our sailing adventures. Later visits by stepson Paul and his wife Christine and then the Blues made it a very busy afternoon as the temperature continued to decline. Tonight the lows in some areas are predicted in the 30’s. I’ll head home tomorrow a day earlier than planned. It’s been a wonderful trip except for the accident with lots of interactions with many people. I feel the richer for it.

Tuesday, December 29  Home safely from another adventure!

Christmas in the Keys Day 1

Sunday Dec 20 2008 This is my first entry in the blog in a long time. Lots of catching up but for the moment I’ll just report on today and my plans for the week. The Old Lady is back on the road. Since I’ve owned the Roadtrek, I’ve wanted to take it to the Keys. The opportunity finally presented itself when Roadtrek friend Susan announced she was moving out of the state and agreed to a trip to the Keys Christmas week. Unlike the Alaska trip where we kept losing people, this adventure grew. Susan’s sister Janet has come from Minneapolis to ride with her, Roadtrek friend Deb from the Villages signed on and most recently Carolyn from Olympia Washington who is 6 months into her 9 month crosscountry Roadtrek adventure agreed to join us for at least part of the week.


We have all met at Key Largo Kampground and Marina which is at mile marker 101 (101 miles from Key West). The state parks had no room at the inn so we are staying in commercial campgrounds. This one is on the Atlantic side and has many permanent motorhomes. We are about a mile from John Pennecamp State Park and Monday plan to take the glass bottom boat to the reef. Les and I had our first snorkeling here in 1996. There are going to be many memories revisited on this trip, the first in the Keys without him. Christmas Eve 1997 was spent here in Largo anchored off an island following an aborted trip across the Gulf Stream.

We had a great communal dinner in Big Mama tonight. Susan made delicious chili, Deb and Carolyn brought appetizers, and I furnished roasted sweet potatoes and waldorf salad. We had enough for 5 more. Carolyn capped it off with gourmet chocolates from St. Augustine. A good epicurean start for our week together.

corn next to river ... not Sandy!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Return to Florida

I was back in my condo Tuesday before dark which helped since I needed to turn the water on.  I used public transportation from the Miami airport, a little over 100 miles away.  It all worked amazingly well once I found where to catch the bus at the airport which takes you to the Tri Rail Station.  When I arrived in West Palm Beach I took a new commuter bus to Martin County.  Total cost $5.45.  Unbelieveable.  Of course having a friend pick me up at the bus was a key to it all and she even brought supper to share before heading home.  This was the capping of a very long period of travel which may have put the final twinge in my back that is slowing my return to life here.  I guess it's my body's way of reminding me that I am pushing the limits a bit.

My train from Germany (Backnang with change in Nurenberg) was swift and comfortable and arrived in Vienna on time.  I hopped on the airport bus and arrived about 10 p.m. with a lot of Russians catching an Aeroflot that must have been the last departure of the evening.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to check in and get into the more comfortable waiting areas of the airport but had to stay most of the night in a booth of a closed cafe.  Finally at 4:30a.m. I checked in and soon found a Starbucks with comfy chairs and a latte to pick me up a bit.  My flight from Vienna to Frankfurt went well and transfer at that airport was smoother than when I was coming from the US.  Still had to clear immigration and security again though and this was all before 9 a.m. with no sleep.  The 747 was fully loaded and departed about 35 minutes late. With a window seat I was able to sleep but was rather wedged in with two other passengers in my row and the person in front stretched almost into my lap.  I hope anyone reading this realizes I make these choices to put myself through this and try to find the humor in it though this about pushed that limit.  The air transportation was booked through the tour company so I had no way to adjust it when my plans changed and I traveled further into Germany.

All in all it was a wonderful adventure with good times, good food, and good friends.  My biking buddy Judy has already posted wonderful photos of the bike tour.  I've added the link to the blog under Europe 09 photos but you can also go to judysbiketrip2009.shutterfly.com

You can get a full screen slideshow and see me beside the corn stalks. 

Ludwigsburg Germany

I am finishing a wonderful visit to Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgardt.  I arrived Friday night after an interesting train ride from Vienna.  The original plan was for my German friends to meet me in Vienna.  Health problems moved the visit to Durach Germany and last Thursday changed to their home.  The weather has been beautiful and we have taken advantage with walks in the neighboring vineyards.  One of these we visited in 1997 and the owner gave us a bottle of red wine which we took back to US and on to the Bahamas where we shared in Georgetown in February.  Such great memories are part of the enjoyment of my visit here.  We met in 1995 with our boats in South Carolina.  It has been a long and special friendship.

My two days of touring in Vienna were very enjoyable.  I visited the Kunst Historiches Museum and Hopsburg Apartments as well as the Albertina Museum with a great Impressionist exhibit and had a tour of the Opera House.  Thursday night was a performance of Mozart Requim at the Karlkirchen, a spectacular Baroque church whose apse reverberated when the music stopped.  It was an amazing experience.

Vienna is a wonderful city to visit, very walkable but I also made good use of my 72 hour transportation card.  My Pension Hargita was very comfortable as well as reasonable and the area was very safe and close to the train station for my departure Friday.

Monday I will return to Vienna for an early flight on Tuesday morning.  I will try to fill in more details and photos after my return home.  The trip has gone so well and the weather has been amazing.  Hopefully this final leg will be a good one too.

Vienna

The bicycle part of my trip is at an end.  It went so quickly like a bat of an eye.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  Sunny days with light winds and warm temperatures.  Fruit trees and vineyards were heavy with grapes, pears and apples.  Our leaders gave wonderful support and supplied snacks including fresh fruit twice a day.  Yesterday I rode 37 miles along the Danube River in addition to climbing the stairs to tour the Melk Benedictine Cathedral and monastery.  In the evening we had a fairwell dinner in a restaurant that had once been a wine pressing room.  This is the wine area of Austria called Wachau Valley.  We sampled some great local products.  Sunday we rode a boat on the Danube beginning in fog but clearing as we progressed to disembark and ride the bike paths alongside for 29 miles before boarding a bus to Weisskirken where we stayed in a historic inn from 1513.  Our room was on the 3rd floor, no elevator!  It was a charming place with a great breakfast.

There is much more to tell but I just wanted to give a bit of the flavor. (Just remembered yesterday in the distance at Durnstein after crossing the Danube in a very small ferry we could see the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned.  It was destroyed by invading Swedes at the end of the 30 years war for you history buffs.)

Today we went to the Sachre Cafe for the famous sachre tort and cafe and also had wonderful potato soup.  Tonight several of us will go to a music performance at the Hofburg Palace.  They will depart for US tomorrow and I will move from this 4 star hotel Stephanie to my one star Rick Steves recommended Pension Hargita.  I have a 72 hour transit pass and plan to make lot of use of it in the next few days.  Friday I take the train to Germany to visit friends the Lells (see October 2008 blog for the previous visit) until Monday when I will return to Vienna for my flight home early Tuesday.  Weather today still very warm though more windy.  No rain the whole trip so far.  Unbelievable.  Photos to follow on my return.

Passau Germany

Internet cafe late Saturday afternoon after a fantastic day.  We are having beautiful weather.  Passau is at the confluence of the Danube, Ilk and Inn Rivers.  Today we did a 22 mile bike ride along the bike paths bordering the Inn going on the German side and returning on the Austrian side.  There were some hills which are still a struggle for me but over all it was a wonderful ride.  We have great leaders and one of them cooked bratwurst for our picnic lunch along the river bank.  The group of 20 includes 6 Canadians, a couple from Iowa, a woman from Minnesota among others.  Tomorrow we will have a 2 hour boat ride on the Danube before beginning to bike on the path to Vienna that goes along the Danube.  Ceskz Krumlov in Czech Republic was a very interesting town though challenging bike rides.  Hotels have been wonderful as well as the food.  Good thing Iäm getting exercise!