We're gone from the Florida Keys, we finally are. But I miss them. I'm trying to let them go . . .
. . . after one last look.
We did it all. We hiked and walked . . .
. . . we endured a lot of rain . . .
We made some new friends . . .
. . . who were very entertaining.
And we made equally entertaining other new friends who we double-Westy-camped with. In the pouring rain.
We made friends with lots of Key Deer too.
We made friends with lots of Key Deer too.
We lost our winter pallor . . .
. . . and we got Keys Toes (an old cut, a new cut, and lime pulp.)
. . . (there we go with the toes again . . . )
. . . an awful lot of time at the awesome Bahia Honda beach . . .
. . . we spent loads of time in our own personal, private Keys places too.
We took a quick trip to Key Westy West . . .
. . . where everything is happy and bright . . .
. . . and had 1 or 2 or 17 drinks.
No trip to Key West is complete without a trip to the Green Parrot . . .
. . . where we finally got to watch some curling.
As Smirk says, "No sniveling."
And no trip to Key West is complete without late-night biking down Duval either.
We cooked. We cooked with friends here . . .
. . . and we cooked with friends there.
There were contemplative moments . . .
. . . and silly moments . . .
. . . okay, you're right. There's nothing silly about comparing hair length.
We spent lots of happy moments, being in the moment, soaking up the beauty:
. . . oh, there were lots of sunsets . . .
And then, finally, we said good night to our own little slice of Paradise.
.
Good bye, Keys.
Ah, the Blue Parrot! I have my favorite sign from there in my Aurora house kitchen. It reads:
ReplyDelete"Excess in moderation".
Also hanging on a peg my organge Blue Parrot hoodie.
Sunsets are beautiful, but no more so than on St. Pete Beach.
It was great having you guys here in my time of need. Next time I can acutally party with you.
Pat
that would be "orange"...but you know that. Hey I'm on drugs, give me a break.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love, love, love your Westy adventures! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI think you need to frame that last shot of the Westy!
ReplyDeleteI expect you to have these pics organized, labeled and in albums by next week...so get to it!
ReplyDeleteI see sun out my window, but it's not the same as the Vitamin D tour ;(
I think there's a tear in my eye.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty is astounding and, alas, never what comes to mind when I think of Florida. And luckily for peeps like you, not what many imagine it to be like-- hence, the preservation of said beauty. And the Westy in the moonlight gets my nomination for the 2010 Christmas card.
Yes, that last Westy shot is amazing!
ReplyDeleteSuch incredible colors down there, I completely get why it is your version of paradise.
Start saving those Tavern tips so you can turn around and go back!
beth
gorgeous, all! That last photo needs to be blown up and framed, it's perfection.
ReplyDeleteI hope you drive north into an acceptably temperate climate.
xo
Jacquie
The photos were so dazzling that I forgot to ask the first time.... does somebody need a haircut???
ReplyDeleteb
Aww, Ellie, it looks like you had a great trip. Just remember as you drive home that though you are leaving your paradise, you are heading for mine! Ahhh, Southeastern Connecticut. And it's almost spring!
ReplyDelete