Key West

Ohio Key, Florida (high 78, low 73)

We got up early, as usual, and started our normal coffee, computer, newspaper routine.  We missed sunrise, but went for a long walk around the park and over the bridge.  We’re hoping to see the spotted leopard rays under the bridge, but so far haven’t seen any.  We saw them all the time last time we were here.

We decided to head down to Key West for the afternoon.  Our plan was to stop and get a veggie Subway on the way down……but…

We ended up at Geiger Key Marina/Restaurant.  They have the best Hogfish sandwiches and we decided to split one.   They are expensive at $15.95, but they are huge.  Our half sandwich was the size of a normal sandwich.  It was delicious.  Yes, we are still eating vegan,  but we do make exceptions occasionally.  We think it’s a good trade off.  We’re eating healthy, but not depriving ourselves.

Geiger Key Marina also has a very nice campground.  If you’re interested in seeing the campground, see a previous post here.  We met a nice lady who is there for a year. She had the cutest little 4 month old Dashund puppy..  He was such a sweet baby.  Here he is playing with the very cute campground cat.  (no, that’s not Baxter)

When we got into Key West we were surprised at how many people were wondering around town.  Once we got down to the pier, we figured out why,  when we saw these two huge cruise ships at the dock.   This one in front was an Italian ship.  It had this big thing attached to the front of the ship that we’d never seen before.  The only thing we could figure was that it was some sort of ice breaker.  Don’t think they’ll need it here.  I didn’t get a photo of it, but it was oval shaped and down on the waterline in front of the ship. 

Key West is a popular cruise ship port and when they dock , thousands of people depart and spend their day enjoying Key West.  Some hit the bars, (we ran across more than one that was pretty happy), some go on snorkeling trips, trolley rides, or just shop.  There are a lot of interesting little shops near the terminal,  so there is something for everyone.

We walked around Key West for 2 hours, stopped at the grocery store and came home and took another long walk.  We were pooped by the time it got dark.

The temperature only got down to about 73 last night.  We almost needed the a/c.  Today should be upper 70’s….  Pretty nice weather, huh?

Our plan for today it to hang around the campground.

Al made our green smoothie today.  It has spinach, kale, flax seeds, bananas, mango, pineapple, cranberries, pomegranate juice , and coconut oil. This one is actually green in color.  When you use blueberries, they turn an ugly brown color.  This one is delicious.  You don’t taste the spinach or kale.  It’s a sweet and creamy with a bit of sour.  Delicious.  Later I’m  making some grits, sausage (vegan) and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice for breakfast.  The smoothies are good,  and good for us, but you’re hungry 30 minutes after you drink them.  The reason we drink them is to give us our daily portions of fruits and veggies in all at once.  

Al is going off his Lipitor medicine today.  He’s been taking it for years to control his cholesterol.   He told his doctor about his change in diet and asked him about going off the medicine.  The doctor suggested he stop taking Lipitor three months before he comes in for his annual physical.  He’ll check his cholesterol at that time.  The doctor said high cholesterol is genetic with some people, so  he may still need it, even with a good diet.  We’ll see, I guess.  We’re hoping he can go off his blood pressure medicine as well, but one step at a time.  He’s lost 17 pounds and has been walking every day, so hopefully that will do the trick.  I don’t currently take any medications, and I’m trying to keep it that way.

We may go for a kayak trip today, depending on the winds, or we may just take our books and relax down by the water.