Maci Goes Swimming in the Gulf

February 28th - Saturday - Sunny - 85 degrees

Yesterday when we took Maci for a walk, we decided to take her along the Gulf to see if the guys were catching any  fish, it was pretty hot outside, and I took her down along the water to let her get her feet wet, well, she thought she would just got for a swim.  It really surprised me, as Estee didn't really like the water and we always had to coax her into the water, not this little gal, she just took off and swam out into the water,  We were really pleased that she liked the water, as we usually spend a lot of time around the water.

It has really been a chore to post to my blog here, as my computer won't stay connected to the server and I lose what I have typed, I had this post completed and lost the whole thing twice. So I will try for the third time.

Yesterday Lou and I spent the morning doing laundry, we went to  Sigsbee, which is the other campsite to do it, as there are only two working washers here and I had four loads to do.   It only cost $l.00 per load to do laundry.  I am amazed at the laundries, as the ones where you have to pay are always dirty and the ones that are free are clean.....  After, we got all of our laundry put away, we decided we would go to our favorite Cuban Restaurant for dinner.  El Siboney, this is located on Catherine in Key West.  They have wonderful food, and last night I ordered breaded grouper with yellow rice and black beans and Lou ordered shrimp in a tomato sauce that was seasoned perfectly with the yellow rice and black beans, all of this comes with very tasty Cuban bread that is buttered and hot.

As we were leaving the restaurant a young man came out and stopped us and asked us where we were from.  He thought he recognized Lou, he was a medical professional from New York State and didn't want to be remiss and not speak to him, if indeed he did know him.   We chatted with him for a few minutes before we continued on our way home.

I talked to Scott this afternoon and we have made plans to spend mid March with he and his family.   We always look forward to this time and the time goes very quickly.  I made reservations with the camp ground that we usually stay at that is close to Scott and that is all arranged.  It will be great to have electricity and running water!!

Destination Reached - Key West, FL

February 22nd - Sunday 78 degrees - Sunny - Beautiful

We arrived here on the 20th of February and it was cold for Key West, 60 degrees with a very cold wind.  We needed our wool socks and blue jeans that we still had on f rom our trip north.  We had driven 11 hours the day before, as their were no openings at any of the RV camps that we called, so we kept on driving.  Lou finally remembered one of our SMART members telling us about  the Casino on route 41 so we drove there and dry camped.  It was a secure place to stay the night and there were many RV parked there for company.  I quickly warmed up some meatloaf and baked each of us a potato, made a salad and enjoyed a large glass of wine and prepared for a chilly night.  It got down to 48  degrees.  Maci was glad for an extra blanket on her  bed also.

We talked to another couple the next morning that was on their way to Key West and they were not able to find a place to stay in Key West but were going to come on anyhow.  Lou and I were a bit concerned ourselves.  The lady told us they had checked on motels and found that they cheapest one was $469.00 per night and they were all booked and some were available for $l,000.

We pulled into the Navy Base and the host told us they just had someone leave and we could have his spot, it is a grand site, on a cement pad with a great view of the gulf.  No electric or sewer. So it is dry camping, but we can manage, I wanted to get a portable generator to bring with us, as that is what most of the folks do, but Lou didn’t want the extra weight. So….

The view from our front window.

Yesterday, it was rainy and cold in the morning, then it cleared off and warmed up.  Lou and I went for a ride to see what had changed, but not much was different from when we were here five years ago.  Still lots of chickens in the streets and roosters crowing all times of the day.  I picked up post cards to send to the grandkids and we ate lunch at the Five Guys.  Kris and I ate at one in Tennessee eight years ago and fell in love with it, but Lou had never eaten there, and he was sold immediately.  We checked out our church that we attended last time we were here and went there this morning.

We were delighted to find the same pastor was at the Key West United Methodist Church; Rev. Ruben Velasco.  We were so inspired by all of his sermons before and this year is no different.  He spoke on Why we celebrate Lent today, taking his scripture from Joel 2:12-13.  We were delighted with the music and the choir, the church has grown in numbers and they now have three services each Sunday.  Praise God

After church we went to Camille’s Restaurant on Simonton Street.  We had eaten there before and just had to go back.  We always have so much fun with the owners and today was no exception.  Lou had a delightful omelet with brie cheese and six different herbs and Cuban bread.  I had a cup of creamy tomato and spinach soup and a half of a chicken salad sandwich.  The coffee there is wonderful.

After lunch/breakfast, we came home and changed our clothes and go Maci and took a nice long walk.  We stopped along our walk and let her cool off in the Gulf, she eventually laid down in the water.  We went a bit far for her and I ended up carrying her back.  We watched a sea plane take off while we were walking and we saw different birds and I always have to  take a picture of a pelican for Susie.

Maci's Bath

February 19th - Thursday

Maci has really taken to this RV traveling.  I gave her a bath yesterday afternoon and she is so good with her bathing and her grooming.  She stands perfectly still and lets me comb her hair.  The only part she doesn't like, is when I need to trim the hair around her face.  I can do anything else and she doesn't complain  a bit.  We couldn't have asked for a better little dog.

She just doesn't like to have me leave her behind.  She will stay with Lou, but would prefer to be with women.  We did find out that she likes to lay on the floor and look out the screen door.  That will be nice for her when we finally reach some warmer climate!!

All dry, clean and combed.

Dinner at St. Mary's Seafood and More

February 18th Wednesday - Sunny - Beautiful day - 52 degrees

We are currently at The Naval Submarine Base in Kings Bay, GA, we arrived yesterday afternoon around 5:00 pm.  We should have been here earlier; however, there was a bad accident on I-95 and we were held up there for over an hour.  It was raining when we arrived so we didn't unhook the car until today after the sunshine came out.

As soon as I got around this morning, I set out for the laundry with our sheets and the little bit of laundry that we had collected.  This is a great place to do laundry, as it is free!!  After I finished the laundry, we decided to go to our favorite restaurant for a great meal.  It is located on Osborne Road and has absolutely great seafood.  We were greeted by Taylor and she seated us and brought us our menus and a hot cup of coffee, that I desperately needed, as I don't like the taste of the water at the campsite and I didn't enjoy my coffee this morning.  I ordered a loaded baked potato, with shrimp and a stuffed crab cake and green beans.

My dinner.

It came piping hot with everything with it anyone could possible want to eat with it.  The hush puppies that were served with it were delicious also.  The shrimp was coated very lightly.  I usually order my seafood broiled, but decided would try this and it was wonderful.  Taylor kept our coffee cups full and hot.  It was a great evening of dining.  They give military a discount which is always helpful.

Note the seashells in the vase with the roses.

On the way back I snapped a couple pictures of the area.

Entrance 

Entrance showing a Submarine

Tomorrow morning we have an appointment with the Ford garage to see if they can find the problem with the lights on the car.  We have everything packed up tonight and the car hooked up, so we can leave early to keep our appointment at 9:00 am.  I don't know where we will be tomorrow night, we had hoped to be at Cape Canaveral, however, they are full....