Key West

When our friend, Bob, was here a couple of weeks ago, we did the tourist stuff. WDW one week and Key West the next. I guess it's time I post some pictures from Key West so here they are.

One of the things you have to do when you go to Key West is hit Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration. It is definitely the place to be. Our first night there was Super Bowl Sunday. I didn't think we would be able to get in anywhere for dinner but we had no problem getting into the Hog's Breath. After dinner we wandered down Duval Street. The streets were practically empty. Everyone was inside some bar watching the game.Lots of booze was being consumed!! (Of course if you were to look closely, you could see that there is a false bottom in this barrel).The next day we headed back into town hoping to see some of the sights. The first thing we did was take the Conch Train tour. It was so crowded, we had to sit backwards which meant whenever the driver said, "Look on your right" we had to look on our left. (This is not our train by the way.)The Saints fans were all wearing their finery. Didn't see a whole lot of Colts gear! Everyone wants to have their picture taken at the Southernmost Point. No way were we going to spend all that time standing in line. I've been through the Hemingway House before and thought Bob might like it too, but with the lines--again--forget it!Of course we had to have lunch at Margaritaville. There was a wait but it was worth it. It was amazing that the empty streets of last night turned into the packed streets today. We discovered why the streets were mobbed! Two cruise ships in port is like dumping the population of two large cities into a little town. We did manage to find a nice hidden garden where we consumed some of the best Key Lime Pie I've ever had. This kitty was VERY interested in the residents of the pond. By the way, if you visit Key West, do go to the cemetery. I had been there before and found some really unique tombstones. Unfortunately, we go there too late to get a map of the cemetery plus there was a burial going on so we didn't find too many of the interesting tombstones. But it still was interesting. We did return to Mallory Square for another sunset (not so spectacular unfortunately) but decided that we would pack up and head home the next day rather than spend another day fighting the crowds. We had a great time but will check out when the cruise ships will be in port the next time!

I've Been Playing

We've had company since the 27th. So when we have company, we play. And when you live on Sanibel, this means you sometimes go somewhere else to play. Last week we went to Disney World for 4 days. We had a ball even though our legs, backs, and feet took a beating. Today, we headed down to Key West and are here until Wednesday--or until our legs, back, and feet can't handle any more. I promise pictures of both trips at a later date. Right now, I'm sitting in the hotel watching the Super Bowl, not really caring who wins, and playing on my "pooter".

Heading West

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, we will be winging our way west to San Diego. Ever since my daughter moved there 3 years ago, we have tried to get out there once in the winter and once in the summer. We didn't go last summer because of selling the house. Karen did come to Findlay for a few days but we haven't seen Michael and the kids since last January. A whole year is a long time not seeing the grandkids! Especially when they are that little and growing like weeds. Hope I recognize them!

I probably won't be blogging much but we will be taking our laptop with us so I can download pictures and maybe--just maybe--post a few here along the way. I'm sure I will be spending a lot more time on Facebook than here so if you are on FB and want to catch up with me look for Nancy Brooks Runta and friend me.

More later--gotta go pack, clean house, run to the bank, the post office etc etc etc.

Sure hope it's warmer there than it is here in Florida!

Mellow Yellow Monday-Flowers in the Rockies

I love this meme called Mellow Yellow Monday. Lots of yellow pictures to brighten up a Monday. After you look at mine, hop on over and see lots more.

I was going through a bunch of pictures and scanning some of them. I found these that I took some years ago in the Canadian Rockies never dreaming I would use them years later on my blog. Heck, I don't even think there were blogs then!

Window Views-More Windows from Ireland

MaryT/The Teach has a great meme called Window Views. For some reason I have always been intrigued with taking pictures of windows or through windows so this meme was made just for me! Hop on over to to Window Views and do some more window peeping.

Guinness Storehouse

Trinity College

Ross Castle

Malahide Castle

Kylemore Abbey

Blarney Castle

Fun in the North Woods

This is the lovely view I had each morning this week as I had my wake up cup of coffee. Before we went up north though, we spent Friday and Saturday at the Detroit Highland Games where we saw some friends who we hadn't seen in a couple of years and where we spent Saturday selling CD's for our friend, Alex Beaton.On Sunday, we followed our friend Bob up to his cottage on Deer Lake near Boyne Falls, Michigan. We've been up there several times but this time was kind of bittersweet since Bob has sold the cottage. When we went last year it was cold and rainy the whole week. This year, except for one day, it was gorgeous the whole week. Here are a few shots of the view from in front of Bob's cottage.On Monday and Tuesday, we drove around the area going to Petoskey, Traverse City, Charlevoix, and the Leelanau Peninsula. I absolutely love this part of Michigan. The are lakes everywhere! And of course there are lighthouses. And boats. And amazing flowers. And summer "cottages".Bob had read that a restaurant in Beulah had been named as having the best cherry pie in America. So of course we had to go!On Wednesday, we took a trip to one of my favorite places ever--Mackinac Island. Since it is an island and since cars are not allowed on the island, you have to take a boat over. There are three ferry lines and we chose the Star Ferry.We were all told to wave because we were being filmed by this boat for a commercial. Cool.We have stayed overnight on the island three times. Two were in B & B's and one time, we got to stay at the Grand Hotel. One of my very favorite movies, Somewhere in Time was filmed there.My other favorite place that we stayed was at the Inn on Mackinac--a beautiful old Victorian home which has been turned into a B & B. See the bay windows on the right just above the porch roof? That was our room. Amazing.Mackinac is not only known for the Grand Hotel and it's fabulous B & B's and summer "cottages" but also for it's lilacs. This particular lilac "bush" is over 200 years old!As I said, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the island except for an ambulance and two fire trucks. The UPS Truck is a brown horse drawn wagon. The Garbage Truck is, of course, horse drawn.And of course when there are horses, there is something else which needs collecting!! They have two methods of dealing with this.We had a wonderful week. Thanks Bob, for a great time.

Now it is time to dig in and finish the job of wrapping up the sale of the house, preparing for the auction, and deciding what we have room for in Florida.

Wordless Wednesday-Dublin Graffiti

I know you are all busy checking out everyone's Wordless Wednesday but take the time to bookmark me and drop back to check out my blog. I am a retired Special Ed teacher who now spends most of her time on Sanibel Island, Florida volunteering for a Wildlife hospital rescuing and rehabbing wildlife. I even dumpster dive for injured Raccoons!! I am also the proud grandma of 5 wonderful grandkids and brag about them often!! I also have a blog called Branches and Roots where I talk about genealogy and my ancestors. OK, enough about me. Back to Wordless Wednesday.

Enjoy more Wordless Wednesdays at Wordless Wednesday.