Tuesday, November 27, 2012

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)

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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. 

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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.  

19 comments:

  1. I would think what you are talking about on the ship is the bulbous bow. It is not for ice breaking, but for increased efficiency and speed thru the water. Most large vessels have them now, but can only be seen went the ship is light.

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    1. Thanks...I'll bet your're right about that. The ship had was light with all the passengers off ship. I never saw one before.

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  2. What a fun time! I love the design on the ship.
    The weather is great in FL so far. Have fun!

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  3. I don’t currently take any medications, and I’m trying to keep it that way.

    Us too! It's all about diet and exercise. Personally, I (Kevin)think that the whole Lipitor and cholesterol thing is a huge scam.

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  4. Nice header photo.

    What in the world is are Hogfish sandwiches? Is it a type of fish? I have never heard of them.

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    1. I guess I'll have to post a picture of one on the next blog. It's a white meat fish that normally you have to spearfish to get. Lately fishermen have learned how to catch them. Better than grouper..

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  5. Chuck is right, that think looks like a porpoise nose, doesn't it? Amazing the things we can learn from nature.

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    1. Yes it does. I thought you might know the answer to this :)

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  6. Your diet is inspiring me to get healthier. The smoothies sound delicious!

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  7. The smoothie is delicious...try it....you'll like it I bet.

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  8. The smoothie is delicious...try it....you'll like it I bet.

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  9. Chuck got it right ... yup, the bulbous bow.

    I've tried coming off my cholesterol meds ... but had to go back on them again despite dietary changes; hope Al has better luck.

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  10. Good luck to Al. So many people seem to be able to drop all kinds of medications with better diet and exercise.

    Upper 70's sounds wonderful although it really is nice here with nights in the 40's and days in the 60's as long as the wind isn't up.

    Seems like you are having a great time there. I know you really enjoy it. Hope it doesn't fly by.

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  11. Congrats on the weight loss! We don't take meds either so I hope Al can shed his because it is nice not to have to take anything! MMMMnnn we love those hogfish sandwiches, too!

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  12. I am putting the Hogfish sandwich on my "food to try" list. Sounds like a great day in Key West.

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  13. Great that Al has lost so much weight. Hope he can get off the meds.

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  14. I'm on lipitor and trust me its not a scam...my cholesterol was high sky and I was always very careful with eating and being active...I did the diet thing for months and the numbers did not move..sadly it is genetic and my specialist said it wouldn't matter what I did to try improve the numbers..I inherited it...the lipitor does keep it under control and at a normal level thankfully..high blood pressure can also be genetic :(....Rick is a prime example..he is his mothers son...he is not over weight & never has been is always on the go, is laid back and doesn't stress and is totally non symptomatic..thankfully his bp meds control it...have a wonderful visit to the keys...its definitely on our bucket list...

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