Sandee and I flew to Key West, Florida (K.W.) in mid June; my first trip and her second. We stayed at the Sheraton, a first class hotel, across the street from the beach with friendly bartenders and service people. In addition to the normal tourist traps (Hemingway House http://www.hemingwayhome.com/, Customs House (odd museum), Conch tour, Lighthouse, etc.) we ate some good food at the Blue Heaven (breakfast hole-in-the-wall in the Bahamian section), Jimmy Buffet's Margaritville, El Meson de Pepe (Cuban eatery at http://www.elmesondepepe.com/), and Duffy's Seak and Lobster House. The best key lime pie we had was expectedly at the Key Lime factory and the worst was at Buffet's place. Although tropical storm Arlene preceded our visit by a few days, the weather was good for most of the time we were there.
We took a side trip to Bahia Honda, several islands toward the mainland from K.W. Using the service at the state park http://www.bahiahondapark.com/, Glen traveled several miles off shore to Looe Key reef where he snorkeled for an hour and a half. It was the highlight of the trip for him, but he did get a sunburn on his back, despite putting on some sunscreen. For the nature portion of our trip, we went to the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden http://www.keywestbotanicalgarden.org/index_new.asp over a short bridge just north/east of K.W. They claimed to have half the tropical species in the world in a 5 1/2 acre plot. We also managed to see an endangerd key deer darting across the road in the wildlife refuge on Big Pine Key http://nationalkeydeer.fws.gov/. The "Blue Hole" on that same island is not blue, but it is a "hole." The beaches are not as pristine as many of the most familiar Florida beaches and Arlene added to the piles of seaweed. We were confronted by a big crab in the parking lot of the hotel. Both human and crustacean escaped unharmed.
We hope to make it to Harry's S. Truman's Little White House on our last day.
In August, Sandee, Kelly and their hair dresser friend, Will, spent a week in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. We started planning it in the spring. With gas prices soaring we decided that it might be that last best chance to see a little of life outside of our homeland. Our party took took two show trips around the bay.
This was Sandee's and my hotel room, complete with a Madonna and child painting.
The pool area, which was adjacent to the Bay, had a water fall and complete sun worshipers cabana facilities.
We took an adventurous pirate show trip on a replica of the Santa Maria that had been given a local name. The rain covers that you see above the deck, turned out to be totally inadequate.
