Miami and the Everglades January 2011

In January 2011 we decided to take the RV down to Miami and visit with my sister for a few days.  We
went to Fairchild Gardens where they had some of the Chilualy Glass Artwork displayed donated by members of the Gardens.

It was a little chilly in the shade but out in the sun it was nice and turned out to be a gorgeous day.  The plants in the greenhouse were mostly ferns and bromeliads and in full bloom.

Outside in the gardens there were topiaries and displays of still artwork like these sheep that looked real until you got up close. 

The next morning we went to a Green Market next to the old Parrot Jungle.  Wow did that bring back some memories!  They still had the old cages for the birds and the trees that survived Hurricane Andrew provided a hammock with lots of shade.

There was an art show going on which was enjoyable and after we had some delicious lunch with lots of choices of cuban food and seafood, we headed to The Barnacle House.  There was some very interesting history about this house built in the 1900's.

Ceci relaxing before the tour

We went kayaking in the everglades because believe it or not I had never done it although my Dad and siblings all had gone in the early years...for some reason I never went.  We went with my sister Ceci and my brother in law Charlie and had a great time.  It did get kind of hot and the water was quite low in spots but at least now I can say I have done it!

I learned things I did not know about Miami even though I lived there 28 years of my life.  Great places to visit and lots of things to do in Miami. 

We then headed to Key West for four days.  Again lots of memories there since my Dad was in the Navy Reserves he would take all 10 of us down with him in the summer and while he was doing his "duty" we would explore Key West and swim in the hotel pool all day.  He also took us lobstering in the keys as well as fishing.  Those were the good old days.  

We got down to the Navy Base and got a dry camping spot along with over 100 other RVer's.  Turns out a good majority of these snowbirds do this every year.  They stay months at a time and get to alternate for a full hookup spot for two weeks then have to go back to dry camp for two weeks.  They all had external Honda generators and you could tell they have it down to a science with their sites all set up. 

I do have to say though, the sunsets were awesome here as they say some of the best are in Key West..of course I have to post pictures of sunsets..notice how I never have any of sunrises?  Can't seem to get up early these days!

This Iguana was right behind our Campsite and coming closer to me to see if I had anything to give him.  Ty spotted him and wanted to run right to him, just like the alligator in Kars Park last year!  The Iguana got scared and ran right next to Ty and I and up a nearby tree...he was camoflauged so well I could not find him and eventually he crawled away. 

One night we went to the "Sunset Grill" for dinner, drinks and karoke and had a good time.

 One night we went to the "Sunset Grill" which was right on the base for dinner and drinks.  They had karoke that night and so we stayed a little while for that then decided to retire early.

We had our kayaks and were able to put in right near the campsite.  I have to say it was a beautiful day but a little warm for January.  

This Rooster was right behind our campsite...they are still in abundance down in Key West.

We took a nice bike ride through downtown and had awesome sandwiches at The Cuban Coffee Queen.

These goats were on the Truman Annex Base in Key West and were placed here to eat the grass as you can see from the sign below.

One day we signed up for a house tour through the Restoration Society and got on the trolley that took us to each of five houses.  They were beautifully redone inside and out.  The last one was off Duval Street where alot of partying goes on and it was the a former residence of Kenney Chesney.  He bought it and then put it on the market within months of renovating it because some fans climbed over his fence. 

We left the next day and stopped at No Name Pub at Big Pine Key for lunch and a beer.  Bill said it had not changed except for the many more dollar bills on the ceiling.

 It was pretty crowded and we saw there were people waiting outside but we thought that was for the tables not the bar.  Turns out people were waiting for seats at the bar also....whoops.  Since we had already ordered they let us stay, we weren't budging anyway.....

After we ate and drank our beers, we headed to Jensen Beach for a few days.