Key West Sunsets

We just left Key West after 3 months. Three months of beautiful sunsets. I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures.

Enjoy!

Discover Help Yourself! In Old Town Key West Organic Cafe, Juice Bar and Market

Located on the corner of Fleming and Margaret is a health foodie's paradise. Welcome to Help Yourself! a totally organic market, juice bar and cafe. Step inside to a plethora of products that are organic, GMO free and come from sustainable food sources.

Charlie Wilson started Help Yourself! back in 2008 as a cafe. Her passion for good food and healthy living caught on quickly. In 2012 the market side was opened. The variety of products is amazing; from fresh non-GMO fruits and vegetables to beauty products and everything in between. One product that caught my eye was the Kids Bamboo Utensil Sets sold at the counter. I also like the fact that many of the nuts, seeds and dried beans are purchased in bulk from sustainable non-GMO sources and packaged right there for you.

Over at the cafe, I tried their sampler platter. Made with Hummus, Tabouli, Indian Summer, tomatoes, pesto, mixed greens and toasted pita bread, this really was delicious. The flavors were a mix of savory, spicy with a touch of sweet. I highly recommend it. To drink I had their 'Purple Jungle' smoothie made with Acai, blueberries, goji berries and banana, very tasty. In looking over the menu, everything looks good, worth coming back again and again.

So, how do you find Help Yourself!? Go to 829 Fleming Street in the heart of old town Key West. You can call them at 305/296-7766 or visit them on the web at http://www.helpyourselffoods.com/ . While there, check out their cooking classes and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HelpYourselfFoods?ref=nf and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HelpYS . 

The Hidden Treasures of Cocoa Village

Just before you cross the Indian River on the 528, take a right into Cocoa Village. A quaint shopping area, it's filled with unexpected treasures. Come walk with me as I explore a few of them.

Down on the main drag there are many little shops, but none are like the Space Coast Crafters. From jewelry to canvas bags, children's clothing to clever light fixtures, everything in the store is 100% handmade by local artisans.

Tucked away on a side street lies a pottery fairy tale of a shop. Harry and the Potter is filled with one of a kind hand made pottery creations. From fish (lots of fish) to pelicans to jars, you're sure to find that special someone a gift.

Harry Phillips creates the fish, pelicans and sea creatures. Eyca Moticska creates the jars, pots and lanterns you'll find inside. Everything in the quaint shop is made on the premises in the kiln they built.

Walk down the street a bit further and there is an old Masonic Lodge. Across the street is a beautiful depiction on life as it used to be in Florida.

Getting hungry? Pick one of the many restaurants. You can eat inside or out. Whatever you're craving, you are sure to find it. Colorful sandwich signs announce the specials as you walk down the street. Enjoy you lunch and then go out and explore some more.

Border Crossings Into Mexico: Walk, Ride or Take a Ferry

Along the border between the US and Mexico there are many towns to explore. Some are big cities, like Juarez and Persidio, others are small like Progresso and Los Algodones.

To enter any of the border towns, you can walk or drive. Walking across is easiest. Some are free to enter; others charge a small fee, like 50 cents. To drive across, you pay a toll, around $3.00, to enter. Returning to the states, if you walk you are usually in a long line with vendors trying to get that last sale of the day out of you. Smile at them and say "No gracias" and they will move on. Inside the customs building, you will need to show your passport and be asked if you have any alcohol, prescriptions, etc. Depending on what you have will depend if you pay a duty tax. We never brought anything back that required duty taxes. When you drive back, you are asked the same questions and may be chosen to have your car searched for contraband. This is a random choosing, and if you don't have any, then you have nothing to fear.

The most unique entrance method has to be Los Ebanos. You see, there is no bridge over the Rio Grande, but there is a nice flow of water in the river there. To go across to this charming little town you take a ferry, of sorts. For one dollar you can drive or walk. What makes this ferry unique in this day and age is that it's pulled across the river by a rope and pulley system. The ferry can only handle three cars at a time. Once loaded, the people on it then slowly pull this simple floating barge across the river.

Watching the ferry come across.

I paid my dollar just to watch. People were lined up to ride across and visit the town. From what I could see, once you land on the Mexico side, you have to walk into town. You are not on the main street with pharmacies, dentists and tourist shops.

 This is the Ferry Junction

Next time we pass this way, I will go across and visit the little town of Los Ebanos and take lots of pictures. In the meantime, enjoy this short video of Crossing the Rio Grande at Los Ebanos, Mexico

Dinghy Drift

A fun way to spend an evening in the Bahamas

What do you do when there are lots of boats in the harbor and beautiful sunsets each evening? You have a dinghy drift of course. What's that you ask? Let me tell you.

At a designated time (a few hours before sunset), in a designated place (just outside of the anchorage), the head dinghy arrives and drops anchor. 

 

Slowly more dinghies arrive. Then more and more come out to play. Everyone ties up to at least one other dinghy and then we wait for everyone to arrive. About an hour to an hour and a half before sunset, the head dinghy lifts anchor and the party begins.

 Food gets passed from dink to dink as we drift with the current. Some stand up and try to make toasts, others pull their dink over to a different dink to talk and drink. We drift. We talk. We drink. We eat.

As the sun starts to set, we gather our bowls and plates from the food we brought to share.

The sun sets. Almost in unison, each dink unties. We say our good nights. We start our motors. We head home.

Another wonderful night in paradise.

Quilting Snowbirds of Camelot

Giving Back to the Local Community

Every Thursday from November through March, the Quilters of Camelot get together and quilt. Nancy, one of the long time quilters, said they started making quilts as a group around 2000. Half are donated to the Shriner's Hospital in Tampa, and half to the Genesis House, a shelter for abused women and children. Over the past 14 years, the ladies have donated hundreds of quilts, somewhere between 70 and 90 each year. Each lady donates at least one or two, some even more. In March of 2014, 91 quilts were donated.

Last winter, Julio had knee replacement surgery. We landed at Camelot and I got involved with this wonderful group of ladies. I hadn't quilted in years, but wanted to help their cause. I made a quilt that probably went to a young boy who loves cats and motorcycles.

To end the season each March, Camelot holds a crafts faire of sorts. Each of the snowbirds that spent the winter there brings their crafts to show off and sell to each other. All the quilts are on display before they are taken to their new homes. The quilters have worked on one jointly made quilt that gets raffled off. The proceeds go towards next years batting and backing fabrics.

 

So, if you're in the Melbourne/Malabar area in March, stop in and check it out. They are located at: 1600 S Us Hwy 1 Malabar FL 32950. You can also find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camelot-RV-Park-Inc/104954012881766?sk=info

Key West Aquarium - The Island's First Tourist Attraction

Reaching into the Gulf of Mexico at the end of Whitehead Street is a uniquely interesting home to many of the local species of sea creatures. I'm talking about the Key West Aquarium, the island's first tourist attraction. As one of the top family friendly things to do in Key West, make sure it's on your itinerary. 

Built back in the 1930s, the aquarium is still a popular destination for tourists. Imagine going snorkeling or diving after your visit. You'll get to see the same creatures you learned about here, but in the wild. 

Inside the main building there are large salt-water pools with stingrays, turtles and sharks. Along the walls there are tanks filled with the fish of the Florida Keys. In them you'll see: yellowtail, grunts, clown fish, parrotfish and more. 

Out back there is an area where rescued turtles are rehabilitated before they are release back into the sea. Next to it is where the shark feeding takes place, a must see part of your experience.

 

While you're here, help out by feeding and petting some of the sea life on display. Reach in and pet a Cownose stingray, pet a shark or hold a starfish in your hands. Whatever you decide to do, you'll have a fun learning experience.

 

The Aquarium is located at 1 Whitehead Street, just behind the Key West Shipwreck Museum and next to the sponge market. Hours of operation are daily from 10-6 pm with guided tours and shark feedings at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 4:30pm. Pricing is the same as the Key West Shipwreck Museum: Adults = $15.04, Children = $8.59 and Seniors = $12.90. If you purchase your tickets online the prices are as follows: Adults = $13.54, Children = $7.93 and Seniors = $11.61. Check them out online at www.historictours.com or www.keywestaquarium.com or you can call them at 305-296-2051.