February 2, 2010

I didn't want to miss going for an airboat ride through the Everglades so we searched the internet when we hit Ft. Lauderdale. I found an outfitter that would take two people out on a private tour for two hours - to the less traveled areas. $350. Gulp. Chuck said we could do it but I just couldn't see it, so we opted for the $20 each trip at Sawmill park. After we were seated in the boat, they told us that it was a "bad alligator day," as it was too cool. Of course the $350 folks never mentioned that. Chuck caught a quick glimpse of one; as per usual, I saw nothing. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy skimming over the water - thinking land lay ahead - and then seeing the sawmill grass part as we forged forward. The noon day sun glinted on the water, and an occasional Osprey would wing past. A little hard on the ears but overall a very pleasant experience. When I was doing laundry yesterday, a woman who arrived in Key West when we did said that they saw 100 alligators off of Highway 41 - just along the roadside. Well - there you go!

I love Key West. To me, there is a bit of a foreign feeling here except that it's clean. Small white houses and buildings are crowded together....and you hear the crow of an occasional rooster. We are parked at the Naval Air Station which accommodates hundreds of RVs. The only problem is that there is a 4-5 week wait for sites with electrical and dump hook ups, so we are "dry camping." $12 a day but every two days we have to bring in the slide and drive over to the dump site. Showers are short but the worst part is that the rules require that all generators be turned off between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. What that means is no air con at night.

We have had good cell phone coverage with our cellular booster. I was a little concerned about how they would work because we had a court appearance by phone in our case against Lang Jewelry store of San Francisco. We were very pleased that the judge ruled in our favor and will retain jurisdiction of the case in Wisconsin. During the call, I started hearing a rooster crowing. At first I thought it was coming from our farm in Farmville but it turned out to be one of the five roosters (and one hen) that wander the RV park. They are actually protected here and we were told that you can get in big trouble if you endanger them in any way.

We plan on being here until the 10th, when we will head for Ft. Meyers to visit Jack and Cindy Weigel.

Our best to all - Vicki and Chuck