Key West pictures, cont.d...

Six-toed cat at the Hemmingway Estate

Eating breakfast with the rooster's at Blue Heaven

Kirk and Reina at the Southernmost Point!

Smather Beach

Sailboat preparing to watch the sunset...taken from The Sunset Pier on Mallory Square.

Key West 4-9 and 4-10 2011

Sunset, at Mallory Square

Sidewalk entertainer on Duval Street

The blue waters from the Glassbottom boat ride

Kirk and Reina at Sloppy Joe's

Beginning of 7-mile bridge

You have to visit Key West if you are anywhere even remotely close to there. Kirk and I left early Saturday morning from Ft Myers and drove to the Keys. It was about a 6 hour drive. Because we left so early we were able to view a beautiful sunrise. We stopped at the 7 mile bridge to stretch our legs and take pictures. A very cool bridge. It was interesting seeing the old bridge no longer in use. We were able to check into our hotel early and then left for downtown Key West, headed for Duval Street. We enjoyeed sloppy joes at the famous Sloppy Joe's, a frequent stop for the now deceased Ernest Hemmingway. We also toured the Hemmingway Estate and saw the famous 6-toed cats who have free range of the in-and outside of the estate. The cats are spoiled and have small quarter's built for them outside. There is a lighthouse across the street, but we did not tour it. Of course, we went to the "southern most point" and had our picture taken there. It is about 90 nautical miles from Cuba. We thought the glass bottom boat would be a lot of fun. The boat ride itself was great. The water is as blue as it looks in the pictures. The glass bottom part of the ride....not so fun. Besides being nauseating from looking down, it was rather cloudy and not so much to see. I had a margarita at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, a fun little bar. We had drinks and appetizer's at the Sunset Pier waiting for the famous sunset, which was well worth the wait. Mallory Square is a "must go to" on Key West in the evening. There are street entertainers, local crafts (which have to be made locally to be sold there), bars, music, dancing, roosters, etc. On Sunday morning we had brunch with the roosters at the Blue Heaven (recommended by Lauren) which was great. If and when you plan to go, you really need to plan several days or more to be there. Twenty-four hours was not nearly enough.

Grandpa Kirk's visit to Utah 3/25 - 3/29 2011

Taylor (beautiful blue eyes), and Jasmine coloring

View from Carrie and John's place in Utah

Dakota hangin' out

Kael, Kyler, Dakota, Jasmine, Brayden, and Taylor

Grandpa Kirk finally made it to Utah to see daughter Carrie and her husband, John and their six children: Kyler, Kael, Jasmine, Taylor, Brayden, and Dakota. Dakota was born in November, 2010 and Grandpa had not yet seen him. It was a great trip. Grandpa says that he will never wait that long again to see the grandbabies. Next time though, he would prefer warmer weather. It snowed while he was there, while it was 80+ degrees here in Ft Myers. :-) Grandma Reina hopes she can go with Grandpa next time.

Supermoon "sing around the campfire" night 3/20/2011

Campfire using the lighter knot

New friends entertaining us all.

Super Moon!

This was a great night. It was the night of the "super moon" . The neighbors in the lot next to us had a great fire going. They generally have a lighter knot log (from a pine tree) that burns for a very long time and fuels the fire. These logs are found only in Florida. Another couple joined us with the Mrs. providing entertainment with her guitar and singing. She was actually very, very good. We all had a great time!

Cape Coral/Pine Island 3/13/2011

Kirk sitting in front of Elena's at Matlacha

Ate lunch near here....hear it was known for it's pies, but we were too full to try.

Kirk and I drove over to Pine Island and Cape Coral for the afternoon. It's only about 30 minutes from where we are staying in North Ft. Myers. There are some unique artsy shops just over the bridge. Elena's was one of those shops. Took this pic for my sister, Elena.