Continuing on our southward journey we stopped and visited our friends, Jon and Terry. Originally from New Jersey they have rented a house in Islamorada and are looking to relocate here. Jon is an avid fisherman and spends a great deal of time trying to hook the big one. Terry has become a Yoganista and water aerobics enthusiast. Their sign on the wall, “Another Day in Paradise,” says it all.

Manatees visit their dock regularly. They are friendly and roll over to show their bellies.

Kayaking through the mangroves is great fun.

The biggest attraction in the Keys is the sunset which can make the most non-religious of us into a believer. Mitch got a little carried away.

Jon, Mitch, and Joanne went out on a fishing boat and lo and behold, Joanne caught the big one, a grouper half her size, which had to be released because according to regulations, grouper is fair game only from June through December. The fight between Joanne and the fish was Hemingwayesque leaving them both exhausted. The fish swam away to get fat for the coming season and Joanne collapsed on a bench.

After a couple of days of creature comforts we got back on US 1 Overseas Hwy. We spent a day checking out Bahia Honda State Park with its extensive sandy beaches and deep blue-green waters. The park, which is 524 acres, contains one of the largest remaining stands of silver palms. It rained so we couldn’t take full advantage of this beautiful park. 

Every so often we get a yen for Key West with its rough around the edges charm. We camped at the Sugarloaf Key KOA and spent a day tramping through the streets of Key West in the rain. We had to restrain Apollo who was into sniffing around the local shops, conch fritters, and key lime pie on a stick.