Two ways to do the beach

Two ways to enjoy the beach. My way by driving the seven miles of open beach for cars or follow the boss. Did the driving only once. She won!

Christmas Eve

Time to move from Ft Lauderdale and follow the Met Life Blimp to our Christmas home for the week in New Smyrma Beach.

Local Government at Work

Right next door to where we are staying this week in Fort Lauderdale is the Bonnet House. Apparently, at 80 years old, this artist got tired of paying taxes. She made a deal with the city that she would give her prime ocean front property to the city upon her death if they would wave her taxes. They jumped at the offer. However, she lived until she was 109. Right now it is a tourist attraction at $20.00 per person to recuperate the approximate $32 million dollars lost in tax payments.

Water Taxi

Went on a water taxi in Fort Lauderdale after dark. The pictures didn't come out, but the 2 1/2 hour trip was spectacular. Yachts over 200 feet long. The going rate for docking is $7 per foot per night. Huge homes like you wouldn't believe. Took the liberty to insert one of Kelley's photo that we showed earlier. We like dogs & cats better.

Oops!

After our airboat ride, a little show outlining the park and a walking tour viewing penned up alligators, we catch this guy laying off on the side. The guide advises us this is a real wild one of 15' long and moves us out of the area. He then chases him back into the swamp.

Truckin..........

Stop in the Everglades for an airboat ride and saw this truck parked there. It belonged to one of the park guides.

Dinner in Marathon

That's Marathon, FL. Half way back to the mainland in the "Keys". Feeding Kelley again and watching another fabulous sunset over dinner and beverage"s".

Which way?

Okay, we are at the end of the Keys and don't know which way to swim to Cuba.

Looks who here?

Driving around Key West, we pasted Marilyn Monroe. Just had to add it to the blog.

Leaving the "Keys"

On our way north out of the Keys, we came across this blimp. They call it Fat Albert which searches for fast boats carrying Cubans or drugs, also detect weather disasters. Costs $500 an hour to operate.

Finishing the night off

Kelley finishing off a pile of Snow crabs at Two Friends Restaurant on Duval Street. This street reminds us of Bourbon Street at the French Quarters in News Orleans less the beads.

A Jets fan?

 Just Brian Pendell. Quite a crowd waiting for the sunset at Happy Hour.

And it gets crowded on the seas to watch as well. The third cruise ship is shown in the second photo.

Your choice

 Sitting in Mallory Square at Happy Hour waitng for the the 5:40 sunset. Enjoyed the different types of boats.

Stop over

They were three cruise ships tied up in Key West during our touring around on Tuesday. On the left is Carnival Ecstacy and the other one not in the picture is Carnival Magic.

The End........

 As it says, we are at the Southern Most Point in the Continental USA. This is Key West.

We also hit a dead end here too. Just like last year with Interstate 90 in Seattle.

Gecko

On our walk back across the bridge, Kelley and Brian spot this Iguana sitting on the sea wall. Estimate about three feet long. I kept walking.

What's up?

 Strolling on the river walk when the bells start clanging. Is this two ships passing in the daylight?

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL

We arrived Saturday in time for their annual Christmas Boat Parade. The city seems to comes to a stand still as they use the river through Ft. Lauderdale and lift all the draw bridges for 2 1/2 hours. Sorry, the night times pictures of the boats didn't come out. This is Sunday morning as boat traffic continue to create havoc.

Surprise!!!!

Left Kissimmee Saturday for Fort Lauderdale and paid a surprise visit, on the way, to former Moravia residents, Jeff and Ginger Allen. Jeff just got out of the pool. Hate this weather down here.

A little rope walking

Kelley and  Brian are harnessed up to do a little rope walking. Height is about 20 feet and up.

Brian in the orange takes one trail and Kelley does her version of a high wire act on another track.

Looking stupid!

 Kelley and Brian killing flies in this photo?

Checking the TV monitor, you can see that they're trying to defend the soccer goal and not well.

Wonderworks for Kids????

 Took the kids to Wondrworks in Orlando for some fun.

 Kelley and Linda are sitting through a 5.8 earthquake .....and

and Linda is standing in a 70 MPH hurricane. Hair still looks good.

Other live residences

 Kelley and Brian killing flies in this photo?

Checking the TV monitor, you can see that they're trying to defend the soccer goal and not well.

Westgate Resort - Kissimmee

 Check in here. Holds the sales offices, shows, Deli and has a movie theater too.

Left is from the minature golf looking back to where we are staying. The right is the opposite view. And the bottom is just a view.

Finally ....Florida

Finally hit Florida Saturday, one month after leaving NY. Passing thru downtown Jacksonville and the big buzz is on firing the coach and selling the team.