Still having a ball in balmy Key West aboard our American Tug 34, Ruby Slipper! Temps have been in the high 70s & low 80s. Lovely!! Sunny & light enough breeze to NOT have to use the boat's AC. Cool!

We've really been enjoying the F-18s & T-45s taking off & landing at the Navy runway next to the marina. The "sounds of freedom" begin at 0710 sharp & end by 1600. When the wind is out of the east, they use the runway parallel to the marina & the noise is quiet the conversation stopper! But, truly, Bill & I love it! Bill misses those days (more than 35 years ago) when he was in the seat of some, at-the-time, state-of-the art Air Force jet. ALL the men around here walk around with big grins on their faces. And, I quietly enjoy the sight of young men in flight suits again!

The beach, tiki bar & marina here is a special "perk" for active duty & retired military. And believe me, all of them have earned the right to R&R here. Many Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afganistan & Iraq-era vets from the Army, Air Force, Navy & Marine Corps are here. Airborne, Ranger, Seal, Special Forces tattoos "announce" their former life like badges of honor. The parking lot is full of cars bedecked with Purple Heart or Disabled Vet license plates. But these vets are quiet about their roles & former ranks. Conversations, instead, revolve around fishing, boating, sports or dogs. And, I'm sure when I'm not around...babes. It's a delightfully friendly place & we feel right at home!

How do we spend our time? Well, each morning before the sun & temps begin their steady rise I walk about 1 ½ miles with Murphy & Trapper. We do a loop around that takes us next to the jet ramp. Seeing the hustle & bustle of the fighters & air crew and breathing the "intoxicating" aroma of JP-4 (jet fuel) is a heady experience. Unfortunately photos aren't allowed. So you'll just have to trust me on that. After lunch, Bill & I will wander over to the beach for a frosty beer & a swim. Bill does several laps while I read. Happy Hour is around the corner before ya know it! Life is, indeed, very sweet.

Since we don't have a car here & we are about 5 miles from the military commissary & 8 miles from the delights of Key West proper, we ventured out in our RIB with it's trusty 15 HP outboard. It was a 20-minute trip to Sigsbee(another military island) for provisions & gas for the outboard. And, the next day we went even further into Key West for a ground reconnaissance mission which took about 30 minutes. Both times were a blast giving us a chance to see rays, Tarpon & graceful marine grasses up close. Yes, we got a little wet coming back but we were smiling the whole way. Tomorrow, tho, we've decided to rent a car for 2 weeks to do the area justice. There are bars, beaches & restaurants beckoning!

Please check out our Photo Gallery for more photos of our Adventures South!

Much love & happiness to you all!