EXPLORING

My bike has felt a little neglected. It's been too long since we took a ride, and I was feeling restless. I had not explored all the roads in Chuck's neighborhood, until today. I found a quiet little beach that probably only the locals know about, because it's tucked away far off the beaten path.

The road is barricaded to car traffic at the beginning of the beach. It appears that maybe past hurricanes have not been kind to the road, so it was closed. However, bikes and pedestrians can continue on... so I did.

Then the overgrown road ended, there was a path that led on down the shoreline. Me, being the "wonder what's around the corner" type person, I continued on foot.

Along the path was this fence with various types of shoe. I suppose this is the lost and found?

This took me by surprise... but I continued on. What?! I had to see The Stone House!

It wasn't quite what I expected, although, I don't know what I expected. It looks like it is a dead tree that someone used as a cornerstone for a "fort". Remember those structures you built as a kid and played make-believe in all summer? This is the adult version. Actually, it was kinda' cool. My amateur photography skills couldn't capture the ambiance of the place, or show the rooms very will.

Left of one of the entrances, is the bow of a small fiberglass boat. Nets and other washed-up parafanalia decorate the house, inside and out.

Past The Stone House, the path became more rocky and wet. My leather flip flops are not appropriate footwear for water, so I turned back. I did however, notice a couple people taking advantage of the designated "clothing optional" area. Next time, I will wear my water shoes and explore farther down the coast. Hummmm... I have always wanted no tan lines....

GATOR'S TOY

Gator's favorite toy is a coconut, and there is no shortage around here. The cut-out collects them with every flood tide. Gator's first stop when he goes outside, is the cut-out. When he sees a coconut, he looks at me. Yes, he has me trained... I go down and get them for him. He will spend days chewing on the outer husk until he has it peeled.

The other day, I was outside trying to work on Scoot-Scoot (no, I haven't totally abandoned Scoot-Scoot). Gator got down to the fruit, and had it cracked. I took it away from him before he totally destroyed it, so I could finally see a fresh Florida coconut. With the help of a screw driver, I pried it in two. I tasted the milk... tasted a lot like wter to me. Not much flavor. I let Gator have the rest of it, and he seemed to enjoy it.

It's too bad that I don't like coconut, because I would have an unending supply of fresh coconut. When I go back home for Christmas, I will take a couple for the family. Gator's job is to shuck them for me. He will gladly do it.

FOUR WHEELING AGAIN

For the past couple of months, I've been having issues with my joints. Started with my neck, then traveled to my major joints; hips, knees, shoulders and elbows . It progressed to the point that it was painful to get out of bed in the mornings, and simple tasks brought tears to my eyes.

Chuck felt that the four mile bike ride to work was causing, or at least promoting this pain. He offered the use of one of his vehicles, and I graciously accepted. It's been nice showing up to work not drenched in sweat. A run to the store is quicker, and I can get EVERYTHING I need without sizing up my purchase and figuring out if it will all safely fit on my bike.

How am I feeling now? I finally went to the Urgent Care Clinic, Naproxen Sodium 550mg was prescribed. That has helped, but not taken the pain away, just made it bearable. The test that were done came back normal. This next week I will see another doctor, and hopefully he can help me get back to my old active self. I HAVE TO... I've got adventures in my near future!!! You will hear all about it soon!

JUST ME AND GATOR

Nick and his baby rabbit.

When Chuck goes out of town, I dog-sit Gator. Every dog is famous for something. My childhood dog, Nick, was famous for bringing baby rabbits to the house. My son's dog, Rant, is famous for stealing food off the table and kitchen counter when not watched. She knows it's wrong, but thinks it's worth the punishment when caught. Gator is no different, he sank one of Chuck's boats. (Click here for story.)

I dropped off Chuck for his early flight, and it was only 5:30, still dark, and I was sleepy after waking up at 3:32 am. I go to Gator's house for another four hours of deserved slumber. Upon waking and entering the living room, I see Gator laying on Chuck's leather couch. He casually raised his head with a look as if to say, "Sup?" I came unglued, because Chuck has jokingly said that I spoil the dog, I surely didn't want to be accused of promoting this behavior. My reputation is on the line here! I yell at him to get down. Gator jumps down and I throw his butt outside. Within five minutes he's at the back door barking to be let in. Seriously! He gets yelled at again for barking, and I didn't heard a peep out of him again. He spent most of the day outside. Meanwhile, I cleaned the couch, camouflage blanket and Superman pillow that Gator was laying on.

Spending the day outside with his favorite chew-toy... coconut.

My reputation as a softy is not welcomed. I can't be the "good-guy", only playing with Gator, I have to wear the disciplinarian hat too. We'll see how this plays out. Gator will push as far as he can to find the edge. He better be careful, you can fall off that edge.

CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE

For several years now, I have thought about getting a CHL (concealed handgun license). This has been a year of new adventures for me, so I thought it was fitting to get it this year. Last Saturday, I took a handgun safety class and will apply for the CHL.

The first half was the classroom lecture. It was given by a friend of Chuck, and was very informative. Lots of safety stuff and a general lesson on the different types of firearms. Then came the fun part... the gun range.

My .38 Special.

I have been to a gun range a few times, but not shot much in the last thirty years. Most of my shooting was aiming at a hay bale behind the house on the farm. I started shooting at an early age. My parents would let me take Dad's .357 out and shoot. Man, did it kick! Later, when I was a hairstylist, and carried my bank to and from work, my mother bought me a .38 special. We both took a class for women only, to learn the legal ins and outs of personal protection; in the home and when you travel. It was very informative.


I was very nervous about the shooting part of this class, because I expect a lot from myself. I wanted to do better than average. I took my revolver, the .38 special. Tom, the instructor, did an inspection and then fired the first shot. He set the revolver down and said, "The sight is perfect." I stepped in the box and saw the hole in the very center of the target. Wow, I was impressed.

Five inch circle from 20 feet.

Shooting my revolver again was fun. I love the adrenaline rush I got when it fired, and the pride I felt when the instructor told me that I did very well. I feel certain that I will go shooting again soon.

FANTASY FEST 2013

Here in Key West, Halloween is celebrated a little differently than other parts of the country...we have Fantasy Fest. I am, however, thankful I no longer work on Duval Street, the party street. I was wondering how awkward it was going to be with practically naked people in our store. Let me explain: Fantasy Fest gives people the liberty to paint their body, wear skimpy costumes, and parade drunkenly down Duval Street.

photo by Rob O'Neal

This is my first time to experience Key West's Fantasy Fest. It is a 10 day event, with many different events everyday. A co-worker asked me if I would take off my shirt and paint my body. That got me to thinking about all the people here that do exactly that. Many come from the mainland thinking that they can go wild here and nobody from home will ever know. Haha, before camera phones and YouTube, that may have been true. With advanced photography technology at our fingertips, anything can end up online. If you don't believe me, go to YouTube and search "Fantasy Fest, Key West". Dare you.

          This is the Zombie Bike Ride.                                 photo by Rob O'Neal

I stayed away from most of the craziness, but felt the need to experience Fantasy Fest, so Chuck and I made our way down for the parade on the final evening. Since my blog is G-rated, I will not publish photos of the many bare-breasted females that roamed Duval Street, along with the reported 60,000+ spectators for the parade. This is our biggest event of the year.

photo by Andy Newman

Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who recently swam from Cuba to Key West, rides atop the grand marshal float.

photo by Andy Newman

Every Fantasy Fest has a theme, and this year was SUPER HEROES, VILLAINS & BEYOND.
On Sunday, there was a carnival for the kids.

There were many booths of food and fun games for the children. The stage featured many group performances from the dance schools and musical talents.

Amy brought all three kids out for the festivities, and Aiden enjoyed a couple of the rides.












Child ID Program was available for anyone at no charge. This is a great program and Aiden took his turn. We hope it is never needed, but a great tool if it is.

Another Fantasy Fest is in the books, and next year's theme was announced: Animeted Dreams & Adventures. Chuck and I believe it is more fun to be a part of the parade, rather than a spectator. Next year, we will watch the spectators from a float.

STONE CRAB SEASON IS HERE

Like most eatables from the sea, stone crab has a season, and it began Oct. 15th. Stone crabs are popular in the Keys, but I had never heard of them until I moved here. Only the claw is eaten, and only the larger one is harvested and then the stone crab is thrown back in the water… they will grow another claw.

Crab traps.

Chuck loves stone crab, and he has six traps that will be set soon. Yummmm, another fresh dinner straight from the sea. Around here, we celebrate everything, including the opening of a season. Saturday, there was a stone crab eating contest, and we (Chuck, Stan, Gail and I) were in attendance. I was not a contestant, but Chuck and Gail were. This was the 3rd annual competition at Key's Fisheries in Marathon, fifty miles up the road from Key West. Veronica, the winner of the first two years, was a young woman that works at Key's Fisheries. Unfortunately, this year she was disqualified when she couldn't keep her last claw down, but her record still stands. 

Chuck talked Gail into competing in both the singles and the team competition. It was a lot of fun to watch, and all the contestants walked away with a full tummy. Needless to say, Chuck was not hungry come dinner time. 

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If your boat has more horsepower than your car,

You're in Conch Country.