Sheer Luxury..

Returning from a week in ‘The Florida Keys’ takes quite a mental adjustment. Freedom from responsibility feels so good that I could easily become a ‘beach bum’….if my family would agree….
Taking four small boats….Kurt’s, Dockie’s, Sam’s and our “Go Gator” gave us access to the ’blue waters’ .
Our ’home’ was in Islamorada….The Collins Family have been going to the same condo/time-share for 20 years specifically for the Lobster Season.
Kurt & Melissa’s children were trained in scuba diving/lobster chasing during all these years. Son, Joe, now being in the Coast Guard, was ‘well trained’ for his ‘now’ career in these same water ways as a youth.
In the last four years, we ’fellow nautical friends’ have made it a prime agenda on our schedule….This year it appeared that it would not come to pass due to the damage of so many storms….but Sam and Sally and Dockie and Ann decided that they needed ‘therapy’ that only the Keys could give….
The Collins Family included Nurse April, Speed Queen Pammy, artist nephew and his artist wife from Indiana, Brad and Angie….
Kurt is really a ’pro’ in getting lobsters….he taught Brad so well that Brad produced lobsters every day using a kayak for transportation to rocky areas…. April and Kurt did scuba diving for their supply….April still looking graceful and tropical even with bulky gear as her companion.
She, too, is a pro like her Dad.
Little sis. Pammy’s, delight is to bring their boat, the Key West, back to port as fast as her Dad will allow!
Charlie finally got the ‘hang of it’ the day before we left….and was thrilled with the successful adventure.
Needless to say, the eating of lobsters that were swimming only a couple of hours before….is ….sheer luxury.
Melissa is the expert on cooking….splitting the back of the lobster, inserting real butter into the meat, covering with thick foil and grilling to perfection is certainly a cuisine delight! Adding sautéed scallops from our Steinhatchee trip, clam chowder, fresh salad and of course, key lime pie…..again, sheer luxury!
On Wednesday we all went into Key West for the day…and leather sandals!
Taking a conch trolley tour which provided interesting information and history was great….
Another interesting sight was the repair of electric lines….by helicopter!
All in all it was a much needed week of rest, fun with friends and adventure in the beautiful Florida Keys…..
Brad made a comment to Melissa on the phone before coming to the Keys from Indiana…
….”Since we decided to go with you to the Keys….my mind has not been right….can’t think of anything else!”
I know what he means….hard to harness the mind back to ….the jungle of reality….
See pictures below….click on picture to enlarge….then back to this page…