Hanging Out in Key West

Today is Saturday, January 14th. We've been in the Dry Tortugas without access to the internet, so we're just getting caught up with the blog. We have been back in Key West for a couple of days, but lots had to be done before blogging. Our adventure to the very remote and very beautiful Dry Tortugas was wonderful, but now back in civilization, chores abound. Yesterday, I was reminded of the parts of civilization I love--while doing the laundry, John brought me a latte and a croissant. And, if that weren't exciting enough, he brought some Nutella to smear on the croissant--that's beyond civilized--that's down right luxurious! (Thank you to Karen, Drew, and Clara for insisting that we try Nutella.)

These are not pictures of the Dry Tortugas. These are way back before we sailed out there, we were just hanging out in Key West, enjoying what ya do in Key West--bars and restaurants! We rented bicycles to get around town. Surprise, surprise there were no handbreaks on these bikes. We had a few anxious moments as we forced ourselves to remember how coaster braks work--peddle backwards--don't grab the handle bars!

Here's John at the Green Parrott and next door is Bobalou's.

In this picture are both the dinghy "Soul Mate" and the sailboat "Caribbean Soul." As we sat on the upstairs deck of Turtle Kraals, we snapped this picture for you. The dinghy is in that collection of inflatables in the foreground. The sailboat is way out on the horizon. If you follow the Wisteria Island vegetation along the horizon from right to left, you can see our boat anchored near the gap at the end of the island at the very top, middle of the picture--far away.

Penny eating at Turtle Kraals (we think it's a Dutch word for corrals).

Penny at another second floor restaurant in Key West.

John at the same restaurant--it was nice--whatever its name is.

Cold front moved in at night and things got rocky in the anchorage.

Weather was still dark and gloomy in the morning, but it's exciting to see those big cruise ships coming in. Also, the little sail boat behind us later dragged anchor and had to relocate. So far, our big ol' anchor has held very well, but we do have to monitor it in storms and always be on the lookout for boats around us dragging anchor.