Key West - by Mich^Gal
I can't believe its over..but its over..the Florida
trip has come and gone....all 3300 miles of it.
It was wonderful. We had excellent weather and obviously made the journey
there and back safely. We did hit a five hour traffic delay that closed
both sides of the interstate and which really tested our character, but we
managed :) <barely> hehehehe
We arrived in Clearwater to sunny skies and 85+ temp, in other words...PERFECT !
On the next leg of our trip we left on Easter Sunday for Naples. We had
never been to Naples, except to just pass thru. Its a beautiful place.
Every street leads to the water. The homes on or near the water are simply
out of this world. Beautiful in every detail, landscaping to perfection,
etc etc. The shops were all closed as it was not only Sunday evening but
also a holiday, but they were OUT OF THIS WORLD !!!! and..hehehehe..my hubby
mentioned more than once he was GLAD they were closed <wink> We did
manage to get to the pier at Sunset and it was worth the effort. As we
stood on the pier taking it all in, a dolphin swam by :)
Naples issa lil bit of Heaven on earth :) The surrounding communities
appear to do their best , but simply do NOT compare to the beauty and the
majesty that is Naples.
On the next leg of our trip we headed for the Keys. Thanks to Fltfshr and
Suzy we took a route across the state thru part of the everglades :) Hubby
was absolutely fascinated with it and wanted to take one of those airboat rides.
I, on the other hand was worried about GATORS...hehhhee..no...not really..I was
worried about getting motion sick and still having a long trip ahead of us.
So, even tho I offered to wait for him while he went on, he declined and along
with staying longer in Naples next time, we've added an airboat ride thru the
everglades to the next trip :) Speaking of GATORS, Im not curious
about them anymore..Ive seen plenty !! hehehehe They really are
fascinating tho.
Key Largo looked interesting and I wish we could have stopped and explored it,
but I was worried about losing our reservation. Again, added to list of *must
dos* for next time.
We finally arrived in Key West about 4pm. Our hotel was absolutely lovely,
and right ON the water. The first people we met were a couple from
Dearborn Michigan <20 mins from me at home> who drove to Key West on a
MOTORCYCLE !!!! Chuck and Roseane :) I HAD to get them on video
talking about their trip, and I did :) It was Chuck who informed us the
next day of something quite surprising as we sat on the hotel pier. Our
hotel is situated directly next to Atlantic Shores which APPARENTLY is famous
for its "clothing optional" pool, bar and pier policies !!!!
Chuck said...."Look over there"....I said...."yup" looks
like a nice place"...he chuckled and said..."look again". I
looked..and..........HOLY SMOKES !!!!!! I couldnt believe it !!!!!
LOLOLOLOLOLOL I didnt know which way to turn...left, right..up,
down, stand up, sit down....but heck..I knew where to LOOK!!!!
LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Now..you have to understand for those of you who don't know. I am married
to Mr StraightLace. My hubby doesn't utter a cuss word, make a crude
remark, perv at the babes..or ANYTHING like that...EVER. Hes a total
gentleman and if he's not..he hides it VERY well !!! <wink>
not to mention, hes also quite shy :) So, here we are on this pier
with good ole biker Chuck and his babe Rosie and me and Dominic, next to the
NOODIES !!!
LOLOLOLOLOLOL.....now...after my shock...Im cracking up !!! I mean..Im giggling
to beat the band..which is NOT making my hubby very happy........hehehhee..Chuck
is laffin too..but Rosie is more like my hubby....shes trying her best to
pretend she cant see. LOL
So...hubby says..lets go in the water....which of course..Im anxious to
do....the water was perfect, clear and calm and perfect temp..just right.
So...every now and then...I just *happen* to glance over at the other pier and
their swimmers and hubby spots this and says "stop looking over there"
!!!! but..I say...."I cant help it !! they are NEKKID OVER
THERE"!!!!!!
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
so began our change in latitude and attitude :))) Honestly,
after the shock wears off the nekkid peoples get a lil boring...no kidding.
Its really ends up not being a big deal.
Next came our introduction to Duvall St. Oh Lordy. Duvall St issa
mixture of everything you can imagine. Every type of person from street
performers to trial lawyers. From Sunday school teachers to someone you
swear you saw on the post office wall. And, of course the gay community.
Now...I have to say...Im not really a prejudiced person. I beleive in,
Live and let live, different strokes and alla that. It seemed to me..that
in Key West, everyone felt that way. Everyone was so laid back about
everything and everything was just so diverse and so......accepted....and
well...non judgmental. I cant find the right words..Ive been trying
to....I can only tell you...I felt so comfortable there. So free, so NOT
STRESSED, its like its in the air. RELAX !!! I guess theres just so
much of everything that you cant be shocked you cant be caught off guard, its
just another thing to see and ho hummm..whats next ????? Its like...ok...I
am me..and you are you....so what ??? <get over it> LOL
If that doesnt make sense, email me and I will try again. Suffice to say
tho...I think everyone should experience Key West, and if you are REALLY lucky
you can take home a bit of that laid back, stress free attitude that prevails
throughout that small but beautiful place.
Thanks to Fltfshr and Suzy, I had the best brekkie of my life there. It
was at Alice's which is connected to La Ti Da :) Hubby tooo. We
wanted to try Camille's too, but it was closed.
<next time> and speaking of Next time......2 days in Key West is NOT
ENUFF !!!! We took the trolley around town on our last day which only
further wetted our appetites to come back and visit all the things we didnt have
time to see. I bet we walked about 6+ miles both days we were there. I
told hubby a foot massage would be much appreciated and like the sweet man he
is, I got my very first foot massage :) oooooooooooooo! La La !!!!!
Theres something very sexy about Key West. I think its the diversity and
the fun feeling in the air..its almost intoxicating....hubby thinks its the
saltwater:) <wink>
I didnt get to go to the Dolphin research center <next time> but I did get
to pet a nurse sharks tail...a baby nurse shark. Their skin feels like sand
paper. Funny thing is tho..after going thru the aquarium and seeing all
the things that are really in the ocean, I noticed I wasnt as eager to swim
wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy out there anymore. Suddenly, I was real happy to stay
with the crowds :) <grin> Kids shouldnt miss the touch tank at
the aquarium in Key West. Notice I said...KIDS..coz..I sure wasnt picking
none of that stuff up !! LOL ewwwwwwwwwwie !!!
They had all kinds of living creatures you could pick up, some squirt at ya,
others snap at ya, but none of them could hurt you......still........Im not an
experimental toucher hehehehe...the kids tho.....gawd..they had horseshoe
crabs on their backs...all those wet iccky legs wrigglin in the air. I was
real considerate..I stood back and let the kids get a closer look. <yah..thats
what I did> <grin>
Oh..and not to missed if you are ever in the Clearwater area is the Clearwater
Aquarium. They specialize in rescue. They had a dolphin who was
found beached and was so badly sunburned its fin was deformed from scar tissue.
They had just gotten her and were coaxing her into feeding and back to good
health. They release those that can live back in the wild. Its a
small place, but really gives you a good feeling when you see the work they do
there. I brought home literature regarding adopting some of the animals
thru donations that can't be returned to the wild. I was going to suggest
to co-workers that we form a group and become involved, anyone on this mailing
list is welcome to consider it also.
On a personal note, many of you know that I was terribly troubled emotionally
these past months and in fact almost cancelled the trip several times.
Once I got to Clearwater, I was intent on cancelling the Naples/KeyWest trip as
well. But, I hung in there and decided to ride it out as best I could.
Now dont cringe when I tell you this, and dont think Im a Bible thumper,
because, trust me, I am NOT, but....On Easter Sunday Morning at the 830
mass.....I was lifted up. Suddenly there was light at the end of that
lonely, fearful, anxious and panicky place I kept falling into. I truly
believe Christ touched me that day, in some way. And I beleive I am called
to speak of it. That same evening, in our hotel room in Naples, my husband
and I shared the deepest and most emotional time/talk we have ever had.
Alot of healing happened that night, I believe because suddenly I could accept
it. I was given that gift. I opened my heart without fear :)
I hope if any of you ever wants to know more or needs to talk about things in
your life, that you will talk to me :)
And finally, I really need to thank those of you who offered me your support and
understanding through the worst months of my life. You listened to me
grieve over my sister, you listened to stories about her, you listened to my
questions about WHY WHY WHY ????and you helped me. You truly helped me.
You know who you are. You are special and I only hope that someday if you EVER
are in need, someone like YOU is there to guide you too :)
Soooooooooooooooo, in conclusion, I have to say...that was simply an AWESOME
trip in so many ways. Its good to be home....GREAT to see my sons and my
family who I missed terribly and its even good to be back to work...ugggh !!
what am I saying ?? LOL
And of course its good to be back in touch with my friends !!!! YOU!!!!!
Hugggggggggggs !! Love !!! and God Bless You !!!!
Mich^Gal