A Storm and The Calm After

Thursday morning started out very cloudy and all the weather reports were predicting some severe storms.  By noon, they had issued tornado watches so we decided to stick around.  Well, we did get a line of storms come through and the wind was strong, but it was over quick.  The tenters that were out on Tiki Island didn't fare so well as tents were blown down and the waves were breaking over the sea wall drenching them and their belongings.  A fisherman got caught out on the water and I watched him bring his boat in after the worst of the storm was done.  I don't know why he was even out there.  There were small craft advisories and you could see the storm coming for a long way out.

Friday was beautiful and we hit the beach for a couple of hours.  Our friend, Erol, got here around 6:00 we went to dinner at the Island Fish Company in Marathon.  The reviews I had read were true to form.  Great food and great service.  We had smoked fish spread with crackers for an appetizer and it was delicious.  I highly recommend this restaurant!

Doug and Erol at the restaurant

Saturday morning, we set out for Key West with Erol.  He had to meet with the project manager for a new hotel that's being built on Elizabeth St.  Erol's company built the floor trusses and roof trusses for this project.  The location is right behind the Schooner Wharf.  Before we left Marathon, we had breakfast at a great spot called the Wooden Spoon.  Small place with about 10 tables and a counter that seats 12.  Well organized crew and a great cook!

Can you guess why it's called the Wooden Spoon?

We got to the construction site in Key West and got a tour of the project.  I hadn't been on a construction site since before Doug retired.  It was interesting to see a building under construction again.

The construction manager, Tom, and Erol by the trusses.

Some of the bottles that were found when they excavated the site.

We walked around a bit in the harbor and as usual, Key West delivered it's unique flavor.

On the side of this bus sporting the chicken on top, it said "The Life Is Too Short Bus".

The paint design on this bike looked like tattoos.  I'm guessing he is a tattoo artist.

I'm not sure I could even hold one of these rods with those large, heavy reels on them, let alone bring in the fish you would catch on one of these!

We had a great visit to Key West.  We headed back to the RV park and then had dinner just up the road at the The Wreck.  It's owned by the same people who own the Wooden Spoon. They serve giant glasses of iced tea and the fish was wonderful.

It's Sunday morning and I feel a beach in my future.  That is, right after I pour another cup of coffee.