2/20/15 RVers Are Perfect Strangers

When RVing you learn quickly that there are no strangers.  We are all related by the mission of safe travel and adventure. Driving, at rest stops, or in campgrounds, the RV community is there for you providing company and assistance.  Breaking out a tool box must release testosterone pheromones as a gathering ensues with male campers offering advice, stories and spare parts.  Getting the camper situated on a site can be a real challenge in some parks and fellow campers come out of the woodwork to help; though sometime too many cooks can spoil the stew.  The lady camper in this photo from Jolly Roger Campground in Marathon, Florida happily moved half the furniture from under her canopy as the front end of our truck swung through while parking the RV.  

Trying to find a space big enough to change lanes can be an issue, but fellow RVers feels your pain and always make way.  They also give you heads up while driving down the road when your brakes are smoking or you leave the RV stairs down  (not that we have ever done that mind you :)  On a short RV trip a year ago when  we were still contemplating full timing, we learned about RV mail services during a rest stop chat with a couple parked next to us.  

From Our Living Room Window

We have shared campfires with penniless nomads in tents, CEO's  in half million dollar motor homes and everything in between. The snowbird RVers in Florida often come for months to the same place year after year and form communities, running activities depending on the talents and interests gathered in that particular park.  We have seen craft nights, bingo, card games, water aerobics, walk fit, book clubs, tours to local venues, pot lucks, dinner dances . . . any excuse to gather.

Just Inches Apart

At first the CLOSE proximity of some campgrounds, especially during peak season, freaked me out but we got over the lack of physical privacy and build mental privacy into our space.  The picture of the tents was taken from our living room window where we are a couple of feet away from these two elder sisters dining table. The Keys are PACKED during the winter, and at Kings Kamp in Key Largo, we drove past this space twice before we realized it was an RV site.  We had to shimmy the RV along a fence and behind another RV; but the view of the Gulf of Mexico made it all worthwhile. It is often a team effort to park and we are usually pretty good with our signals, voice control, and patience. Usually....

It all works so long as we continue to be happy, comfortable and cooperative while living in our beautiful RV as we amble down the road looking forward to meeting more perfect strangers.  

2/11/2015 Sunshine Key, Key Largo and Knights Key

Jack's Lunch Break View 

Sunshine Key Moon Rise

The Biblical Snow and Ice in New England and mid Atlantic continues to have a dramatic affect on camping in the Keys.  On our way to Naval Air Station Key West Campground for 10 days,  we call ahead as an FYI since you can't make reservations (not needed as they have never been full).  FOR FIRST TIME IN HISTORY - THEY ARE FULL!  And so is everywhere else in the keys.  After dozens of frantic phone calls, we find our first night open at Sunshine Key

Our Camper at Kings Camp, Key Largo

Campground and the next two nights on Key Largo at Kings Camp.  Both are very nice and it's hard to figure why Sunshine charges $120 a night and Kings charges only $65.  We liked Kings better as it is smaller and we had a nice view of the Gulf from our site.  Nice to walk around the neighborhood across the street on the Ocean side and sit in tiki hut for glorious sunsets.



Kayaking off Knights Key

Shoulder Recovery Mode

Our new local friend Diane (who went to school with owner of Knights Key Campground in Marathon) was able to get us in there for the remainder of our open nights due to a last minute cancellation. BLESS YOU DIANE!!!  We love this campground with it's great sunset views over 7 mile bridge from the beach/dock area, yoga on the beach, kayaking, and biking.  The yoga instructor, Miranda, also makes jewelry so several purchases of amethyst and coral bracelets were made :)

Yoga On The  Beach



2/2/2015 True Lie's Girls Weekend - Marathon Florida

For many years, Deb's friend Geri  hosted a  long winter girls weekend at her fabulous home in the Keys. The name of the weekend, "True Lies Club" comes from the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie of the same name which was filmed in Newport RI (where we met Geri) and in the Keys. We watch this film just about every year!  In addition to Geri and Debra, this years group consisted of Emma, Linda, Peggy and Diane.  

Much time was spent relaxing, eating, drinking, reading, napping, and of course talk... talk... talk... talking on her lanai (Hawaiian name for deck or porch) by the pool.  Every morning started with a 5 mile walk followed by a wonderful breakfast.  We went to the weekend flea market on Pine Key and had some of the best pizza ever at No Name Pub.  On Sunday we dressed up and drove 

Little Palm Brunch

to Little Torch Key to catch a boat to Little Palm Island.  This small private island has a wonderful restaurant open to the public but the rest of the island is a private resort with cottages costing a minimum of $1,300 a nite!  The fancy brunch ($95 per person) included the boat ride and all you can eat and drink.  MANY bottles of champagne were consumed.

While the girls were at Geri's, the boys (John, Bill and Tom) sailed off on Bill's yacht and anchored near Bahia Honda Park for a few days of guy stuff.  Use your imagination.....

Bahia Honda Park from the old train bridge