IT'S TIME TO SAY "HASTA LUEGO"

Well our time in Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina has come to an end, for this trip.  We had a fantastic time.
When we arrived on May 1st, we were told the Miami people were coming.  We had no idea what that meant, but said ok. That weekend the Miami crowd started coming in.  They know how to have a good time.

They don't believe in packing light, they set up tents compete with home refrigerators and freezers for the fish they catch.

And some serious boats too.

Tom had a little boat envy with this one.

The nature was unusual for us.  This guy walked thru our campsite one afternoon.

The fish were incredible.  Never saw so many, this was at the marina in the RV park.

A big mishap, not a good tow vehicle.  He was trying to launch his wave runner.... Oops....

And we saw fantastic sunsets almost every evening.

Also made new friends.

On the roll.

Key West Visits

We have been at Big Pine Key for almost 3-weeks and have visited Key West three times, once by car,  and two times by bus.  Can't beat the bus fair $1.00 each way for seniors, and the first bus trip was free.  On the second Saturday of the month seniors ride free,  who knew!  The bus stop is right outside the RV park, so we don't even have to drive.

Selfie, waiting for the bus to Key West outside Sunshine Key RV Resort

** Key West Fun Facts:
 In Key West, conchs are people born in Key West.  You're not considered a conch by simply living in Key West: but if you have been a local for at least 7-years you may be considered a "freshwater conch".

This little girl couldn't wait to have her pic taken, ran right up to the camera.

Mom and chicks by the marina

** Key West has a healthy population of chickens that roam free on the island.

** Key West is closer to Cuba than Miami.

** Forty-One degrees is the record low temperature in Key West.  Since temperatures were recorded in 1873 this occurred twice once  on 1/13/81 and again on 1/12/86.

** The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico meet here.

**  Jimmy Buffett doesn't live in Key West anymore,  he's no longer a local.  But Parrot Heads can always gather at Margaritaville.

** Key West was once the richest city in the United States per capita.

** Duval Street is a mile long pub crawl.

** Key West tried to secede from the US in 1982.  Key West is often referred to as the Conch                  Republic.

** By the way the island is said to be haunted

We visited Harry S. Truman's Little White House

  Trump step aside !!!!

Trying out the NOAA's Lab at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Cool Lion Fish at the Eco Center

And visited a retired coast guard vessel

Historic Sea Port

Found the best Cuban Coffee and Hogfish Sandwiches

We sort of ate our way thru Key West, starting with Cuban Coffee, moving on to French Croissant Pastrys then lunch and the trip is not complete with out Key Lime pie.

Tom and his sweet tooth...

Can't forget shopping...... Tom in his new hat..no he didn't buy it.

Tommy and Brians Visit to the Keys

Our son Tommy and his friend came to visit. Tom, Tommy and Brian checking out the water at the RV resort.

The three amigos

We had a great time, we visited Key West and sampled some traditional alcoholic beverages

Visited some of the local hangouts too.

Tommy switched over to some more healthy alternatives (yea)

Made it to the southern most point of the United States,  90 miles to Cuba

His trip was not complete without a Cuban cigar

Her it ends and starts...

So True

Little over our budget.  If you have some green bucks to spare send it down...

Found this little spot for Tom and Brian

Chickens and roosters all over...

Key Wests version of a biker bar.  Here they like to burn off the margaritas they drink.

No trip is complete to Key West without visiting Mallory Square at sunset.

They have venders, and street entertainers

Of course the sunset is a must

Next day we were off to Bahia Honda State Park, for a much needed snorkel trip.

Getting ready for the wet element

Tommy and Pam are ready to go.

The reef was 12 nautical miles off shore and 30 feet down.  Words cannot express how fantastic this location was.  We saw all kinds of fish, including sharks.  If you were very still schools of fish swam around you.  It was great, can't wait to go again.   We all had a good time.

The beach at Bahia Honda State Park

Enjoying the day

We had a lot of laughs, but it was time to say good by

Tommy is ready for Miami !!!