A Day in the Dry Tortugas

OK--what a fabulous day! And I got to use my Father's Day present for real, too! And this was just snorkeling, I wasn't even diving.

We took a fast catamaran down to the Dry Tortugas some 70 miles away from Key West. The trip took two hours and fifteen minutes each way.

The tour of Fort Jefferson was fabulous, but the snorkeling was even more awesome. We saw one seemingly sea of small fish which undulated in the current and through which tarpon and other fish swam. They were beautiful to look at and enjoy.

The sights were just beautiful.

It was some of the best two hours of snorkeling that I have enjoyed. I would go back in an instant!

History, snorkeling--who could ask for more?

Jose's Cantina, Key West: Review

Based upon a recommendation from Urbanspoon, we sallied out to Jose's Cantina on White Street for some Cuban food last evening.

And we were not disappointed.

the atmosphere of a small, family friendly place just could not be beat. And the food was magnificent. I had the pepper steak and it was both tender and spiced to perfection. They also make their own sangria--and it is something really special.

The menu has something for everyone. Seafood, non-seafood, whatever you are looking for. And the service was personal and friendly. The atmosphere was family oriented--not an expensive place, but wholesome. You get the sense that the people working there, eat there too!

Recommendation: A definite place to eat and enjoy. Prices are moderate but not inexpensive. Service was good.

Monday Musings - July 20, 2009

1. 40 years ago today man first walked on the Moon. Although I know it is politically incorrect, I sure am glad that he was an American! In fact--forty years later, the only humans to have walked on the Moon were all Americans!

2. Why is it that the slowest car on the road gets in front of you on a two lane road with no passing zones?

3. Some hotels have terrible service, poor maintenance, but a great location and they stay in business. It is all about location, location, location. So I'm saying, don't stay in the Lauderdale Beach Hotel in Lauderdale by the Sea--unless you want an affordable place where you can walk out the door, turn right and be on the beach!

4. Ever notice how traffic signs in unfamiliar places sometimes make no sense?

5. The Fort Lauderdale airport parking situation is the most confusing, counter intuitive situation I have ever had the misfortune of trying to navigate.

6. Key West is a hopping town on a Saturday night!

7. Nothing lowers blood pressure and stress levels faster than a walk on the beach in the morning.

8. Little known fact: there are a lot of roosters (as in male chickens) in Key West. They all seem to have an intuitive grasp of dawn. And many of them live right outside the condo we rented. Alarms clocks are, therefore, unnecessary.

9. Chris likes cats. She wants to adopt one in the neighborhood. Meaning she wants to bring another stray home.

Sights on the Beach to Avoid--2009

OK--here it is again this year. Some incredible sights we saw on the beach which we definitely need to avoid. Like the one here--I agree with Michael--they should not sell bikinis in sizes greater than 16. This was something special. We really could not believe this.

But for the women in the crowd--there was George of the Jungle. Who let this guy on the beach? Unbelievable. I don't even want to speculate as to what he is trying to show off. Ugh! Get a life.

OK--for beach wear--modesty is important and be aware of your personal limitations.

Florida Vacation 2009 Day 3: Jupiter

A beautiful day to begin day 3 on the beach at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. We walked in the morning and the bright warm sunlight to begin the day 3. The water was clear--you could see all the way to the bottom even with the water up to your neck.

It was fun to watch the smallish fish congregate around my legs and occasionally bump into me. A certain member of the team doesn't like this feeling and won't stay in the water when the fish show up.

Today was also the day we chose to visit friends--Fran and Mary, in Jupiter. It was an hour long drive made longer by a detour to repair a bad rim on one of my tires. Yes--my rim was corroded and not sealing against the valve stem--so the tire was losing air. At one point it looked as if we needed a replacement rim--but the Firestone dealer did a masterful job filing off the burr and not toasting the existing rim. So we were back on the road after a while.

Upon arriving in Jupiter we went to our favorite beach on Jupiter Island and did some snorkeling. It was the best snorkeling in this area in about three years. The water again was very clear and warm. I believe it is because there have not been any hurricanes yet this season. the big sighting of the day was a good sized barracuda. But the amount of life present was reassuring after two years of decline. There was an abundance of urchins and I even saw a lobster. I was looking for sharks--but didn't find one.

After some quality time on the beach, we cleaned up and went off to a new restaurant: Guanabanas Restaurant and Island Bar. What a great place. I highly recommend it. It is truly a tropical paradise and the place was fantastic. They have carved a tropical island right in Jupiter. I have never seen a restaurant motif like this before--heavy tropical.

Our drive back to Fort Lauderdale seemed endless with the storms, accidents, and traffic. I-95 north was closed at one place for a fatality accident. Thankfully, we were headed south, but the rubberneckers still created a 5-mile long traffic jam.

Back at the hotel we relaxed and then went out for a walk and wound up in the middle of a street concert. The music was a mixture of jazz and some blues and was very nicely performed. A huge thunderstorm was developing though and the lightning was fabulous. Chris took her camera and tried to get some pictures of light show--with some success.

So now we're sitting in the hotel catching up on the blogging and getting ready for our exciting trek to Key West tomorrow with Pennie and Scott.

Florida Vacation Day 1 and 2

Wow--we have been having some fun already on our vacation.

We departed early on Wednesday to drive to South Florida--a good decision because we were through even Richmond before the morning rush hour. That meant--no driving problems in Virginia!

The drive was uneventful--well at least until we got to the vicinity of Cocoa Beach and realized that the space shuttle was going to launch within an hour. So we detoured! And what a great decision that was. It was cool to see all of the people who still line the causeways to watch launches. And not just Americans. But it was great with people lining the road on both sides to get a view of the launch. There was a great atmosphere as we listened to the radio from one car of the countdown and the excitement built as we all realized that today was the day and we were going to actually see a launch!

All in all we were delayed about two hours in getting to Fort Lauderdale--but it was well worth it.

Day 2 was a very relaxing day which included a long morning on the beach--we are in a hotel right on the beach! The water is warm and clear and we are having a great time. We did some exploring of the area and found a Bubba Gump Shrimp where we ultimately ate dinner.

And day three is at hand--what new excitement in in store?

Pool SCUBA

You learn a lot about things when you get a chance to examine them closely.

Take my pool, for example.

It is really tough to examine the pool on a normal day. The water gets in the way.

So on Saturday, when I was checking out my scuba gear, I did some inspection of the pool. I would like to say it was fun--but what I discovered is an aging pool that has seen a lot of fun. There are cracks developing which may, sometime in the future need to be addressed.

But that said--it was fun playing with the tools on the bottom.

And of course, my new, improved, good to 200 feet below surface camera. I will never go that far down, so it really isn't a problem.

I got used to the camera and some of the new gear I've acquired, so I should feel really comfortable in the water. I am so looking forward to the next two weeks of snorkeling and diving, and of course the sitting on the beach doing nothing.

Monday Musings - July 13, 2009

1. Amid the peace and quiet of life--there were dogs. Six of them before the weekend was out. And boy do some of them poop. And the geriatric dog of the group fell into the pool requiring rescue.

2. I loved scuba diving in the pool. I got to try out my new gear before actually using it for real and I will be much more relaxed since I am comfortable with my gear and my camera. I was also surprised how little weight I need carry--which is a good thing for control.

3. The weeks before a longish vacation is the worst--all of the planning and preparation come to a head and the panic begins to set in. I guess we need to get really tight before we can unwind.

4. Taking pictures of stuff on the bottom of the pool with my camera was fun--but still life's of screwdrivers and pool return covers are not really interesting.

5. Hot summer Sundays are great for napping on a floatie in the pool and watching a ballgame with the sons. Especially when the O's decide to win!

6. Fruit in the summer. Hmmmm, let me see.

7. Now that the car is back from the repair shop after the accident, you remember how much you really appreciate what you have.

8. I hate it when, the weekend before we are getting ready to drive to Florida, that I discover the vehicle we are taking needs new tires!

9. I wonder why my insurance company makes me print new insurance cards every six months. Like--where else am I going to go?

Pools, Sun, Summer, and Fun

An amazing thing happened the other day as I got home from work! My wife was poolside with her new snorkeling mask trying it out before we got to Key West. That was fortunate because when the new lenses were installed, one of them leaked. Yes, we have old eyes and have had bifocal lenses installed in our masks. I am looking forward to actually being able to see to operate my new camera underwater.

But--an amazing thing? Yup--you bet. She was home and poolside. Being home is a rare event. Being poolside even rarer.

I just love summer days. What better reason do you need for getting to the pool? Or the ocean?

Just the heat of it.

And now, as we are entering the final frenetic stages of preparing for vacation--we have a lot to do to get ready and make the upcoming two-and-a-half weeks a success.

It should be fun, I think. But hey--it is summer. Relax. Sit back. Have a sip of a drink with a little umbrella in it. Get sand everywhere!

The Proposal: A Review

So I was dragged off Sunday afternoon after driving for over six hours to see a "chick flick" pretty much against my will. Gag me--how could I possibly want to see a movie like this after seeing the summer's biggest action flick so far?

But, I was surprised. This "its been done before" movie starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds was entertaining. I say, "its been done before" because the plot is about two people who can't stand each other and are getting married to help one of them remain in the country. And yes--by the end of the movie they fall in love. Its been done! Nothing new here except that the acting is really very good and the humor is fresh.

The new part is the wilderness setting of Sitka, Alaska and some really good acting by Betty White who plays the part of an off-beat grandmother. She is really very funny and works extremely well with both Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

I actually thought the white puppy almost stole the whole movie--but then I do have a soft spot in my heart for dogs.

The plot is predictable and the acting is good but not great. The situations range from the believable to the wacky--especially one where Betty White is dancing around a fire in the woods. But like an enjoyable meal that you've had before, it all seems to come together for a surprisingly funny, touching, and well paced movie. It was a good way to spend a couple of hours.

RECOMMENDATION: Guys, if you haven't punched your chick flick ticket lately--choose this one. You will laugh and probably enjoy yourself. Be cautious however--your date may actually think you like chick flicks if you show too much enthusiasm. Overall--the movie was good entertainment and probably worth two hours, especially when wrapped around dinner. (But please, don't let my wife know!)