SSK, WEEK 8, JAN. 18-24, 2009

 

Much of this week revolved around fish and fishing now that the temperatures allowed us to get back on the waters.  Monday we were completely skunked in our efforts to catch fish.  The fish were still hovering in the deeper waters and slow to make their way back into the bayside.  We did, however, see hundreds of dead fish floating on the surface—also many dead moray eels.  The FWC estimates millions of fish were killed by the freezing water temperatures. 

Hank and I attended Jersey Bob’s fishing seminars here in the park the last two Wednesdays and learned much from him about fishing these waters.  We went out again on Friday and had great success fishing under the 7 Mile Bridge.  We caught 3 groupers and swear they must know there is a ban on catching them now as everyone has been pulling them in.  Here are a few pictures of some of our catch.  Hank is wearing his Happy Hookers t-shirt and that seems appropriate!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday was the January Ladies Luncheon up at Cabana Breezes on Key Colony.  They seated all 40 of us outside and it was delightful to hear the waves crashing on the beach while we had lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are very disappointed to report that they have now closed off the second old bridge at the other end of our island for repairs.  We miss being able to fish, walk or ride our bikes on these 2 bridges and to look down and watch the rays glide by.  Guess we should be happy, though, that they are being repaired and know that we will be able to use them in future years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connie held a Mardi Gras planning meeting at her trailer on Sunday.   Our group will be marching again in the annual parade and is under pressure as we have won first prize the past 2 years.  Hank and Matt were busy working on their fishing gear while the meeting went on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, finally, we had a gorgeous day for our weekly bean bag tournament.  Joanne and I are getting the hang of running the brackets and we had 26 people again this week join the game.  Don has been busy helping Mel design a t-shirt for this years’ winners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can tell we were very happy to be back out in the sunshine this past week.  I leave you with a photo we took when we rode our bikes up to end of the 7 Mile Bridge.  Hard to believe we used to drive our motorhome over that old bridge.

 

SSK, WEEK 7, JAN. 11-17, 2010

 

The cold weather continued until the end of the week.  Even the folks who live here full-time in the Keys say they can’t remember a spell of bad weather that has lasted this long.  We kept our winter jackets on and made the best of it.  I spent Tuesday in the clubhouse working on a jigsaw puzzle and our group went up to see “It’s Complicated” that evening.  No one’s fishing, but there are lots of dead fish floating in the water and lying on the bottom.  Jackie and Tom arrived after being in Arizona for the Boise State Bowl game victory and wondered what the heck had happened to our weather. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margie organized an outing to Annette’s for lunch and then a golf cart tour of Crane’s Point in Marathon.  We toured this lovely property and visited the Bird Hospital located on the grounds.  We enjoyed the museum and hands-on exhibits and, as you can see, the group got right into the spirit of things at the pirate ship that’s been set up for the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These jars contain hooks and line that have been surgically removed from the rescued birds each year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather finally got warmer and we shared a potluck at Mike and Margie’s on Friday evening and played cards at Reney and Blaine’s on Saturday afternoon.  First time we had shorts on in a week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday night we attended the 50’s Dinner/Dance in the clubhouse.  Not everyone got in costume for the event, but everyone had a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday brought a group brunch at Key Colony Inn, a huge downpour and then the weekly Bean Bag Tournament once the skies cleared up.  We played in the lot right next to our motorhome as it was one of the few that didn’t have any puddles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a note to let you know that the Turtle Hospital posted a note on Facebook on 1/17/10 thanking everyone for their help during the cold crisis.  They said that, “Since the reef oceanside has reached a warm 70 degrees, we have been able to begin releasing some of the larger and stronger sea turtles.  Several Loggerheads, Hawkbills and Green sea turtles are already back home!”