Conch Republic Seafood Company

Mike took me to the the the Conch Republic Seafood Company for dinner...this was the view. We went while everyone else was at the Sunset Festival so that we could get a seat. This place is popular with the vacationers and locals alike!



This is me having a hard time deciding what to have for dinner. This place had way too many selections for me!
















Mike as usual knows what he wants for dinner, but then he had already been here when he worked at the base! No fair!







I opt for the stuffed shrimp. Trust me, this is the healthiest thing that has crossed my lips the whole vacation! Isn't saying too much, is it?!

















This is Mike's dish..it was the one I was also pondering....see above :P

Fun day at the beach in Key West

Mike and I went to the Southernmost point in the USA the next day just to do one of the touristy things you do in Key West!








We went to Smathers Beach. Smathers is a man made beach and the weather tends to erode it away every year. There are rumors that the sand is brought from the Bahamas! Standing in the water was like being in a warm bath!

The nice thing about being in clear water is that you can actually *see* what you are sharing it with. This little guy was hanging close to shore as he only had one claw!




I love palm trees...this is one that we laid under in Key West. The sun was so strong that we still got a little burn even being in the shade with sunscreen on!






We went back to the La Concha to get in the pool to cool off and have some refreshing poolside drinks. Let me just say that I love Cruzan Rum....we are going to buy some soon!

Mallory Sunset Festival and other highlights

Lots of street performers after your tourist dollar....these guys were actually fairly good!


We took a walk to Sloppy Joe's before the sunset festival and had a beer!


This parrot was on Mallory Street and wanted attention...he found it with us.


Took a picture of both of us for use on a possible Christmas card.


It just doesn't get better than this...the end of the day in paradise...no words are needed!

KEY WEST!

After a long drive from from Key Largo, we along with our faithful LILred finally arrive around lunch time in Key West, Florida





Our first day has been pretty warm which isn't quite that normal for this early in the season.









Our first stop is the butterfly house so that Sharon can order her butterfly sculpture. We also take the tour.






Not only are there butterflies, but there are also birds.









Sharon tried and tried to get one of the butterflies to land on her, but it didn't work. However, they seemed to like me so much this one wanted to plant one on me!

After a long, hard day on the road

After a night camping, we pack and load the car up and are on the road again. We have the top down for awhile, but just awhile as the sun rays were just way too much even with sunscreen on.



About 4 P.M. we rolled into some terrible storms in some of Miami. I say some because downtown Miami was pounded as we rolled through. Once we left downtown, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Mike pulled out the computer and made reservations. We are presently at the Holiday Inn resort in Key Largo.



This little guy was outside our room. Must be one of the perks of getting an upgrade :p







Bananas right outside the room as well as plumeria....wow, it's almost paradise!













We end the evening at a place behind the hotel called *Coconuts* where Mike dined on almost *raw* tuna steak and I had the cooked coconut shrimp....plus a few drinks!

Depressed Mia and Tia

We stop at Daytona Speedway....Mia and Tia were hoping to catch up with Lightning McQueen, but he is apparently spending time out at his new headquarters and catching up with Sally.







Mia wasn't real happy about this...she decided she needed a orange float to drown her sorrows in...she really got into it too as you can see by the orange all over her!













Turned out to be a nice day after all...LILred wishing other Chesapeake Roadsters could be here as well!

Camping in Florida tonight!!

After a long day of driving from cool Florence, South Carolina, we made it to Georgia about lunch time
Everyone was pretty hungry so we decided to picnic at one of the fantastic rest areas along the Georgia stretch of I-95. Georgia should be commended for having some of the nicest rest areas. All of us got a much needed rest and we were able to eat some of the food that was earmarked for dinner the evening before.

Sharon had purchased these blue cheese and bacon burgers from Whole Foods about a month ago and had stored them in the freezer downstairs. She decided to take them and we had a really yummy lunch.

Finally, we see the Florida State border in site and the clouds mysteriously go away. We are finally able to enjoy the big, yellow orb in the sky with the top down.


Thanks to having the GPS program, we find a wonderful campground located in Daytona Beach and we set up camp.

We drive to Daytona Beach to stick our feet in the very warm Atlantic ocean and then it's off again for one more destination.