Home to Massachusetts

After a little over 6 hours of driving we arrived home to Massachusetts. The weather is sunny and clear but of course snow is on its way. Come Friday they are predicting as much as 6 inches. But Massachusetts has very good apples. On the way home we stopped at our favorite apple place Bolton Orchards and picked up 4 gallons of their delicious fresh cider. Here's Bruce sipping on cider straight from the tap.

Delaware with Dorothy

Our last stop was Delaware where we stayed with our friend Dot who used to be our next door neighbor. We stayed up late catching up. We enjoyed a very nice dinner with her and Bob.

Cherry Blossoms

It is a beautiful sunny day in Washington DC and we are off to see the cherry blossoms.
Later on we are going to see our dear friend Dorothy in Wilmington, Delaware. We'll travel on the scenic route.

Looking at Our Stuff

There are certain cities which should never be passed by: New York, Chicago and Washington DC. There are always free musums and Sunday means free parking plus right now it is the beginning the cherry blossom festival. We found a pretty convenient parking spot and walked in to the National Gallery, the Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery. Wow! It is just so much fun seeing all the treasures which belong to us, the American people. Thanks George for everything.

Virginia and up into the Snow!

The extremes of the weather in America! Back in Orlando it is 90! Yesterday it was warm and lovely in the Carolinas. Today it is cold and rainy in Virginia and we are on our way to snow in Washington DC.

Carolinas

Been wandering north through lovely southern towns.
Wonderful and warm, both weather and the folks.

Relaxing in South Carolina

We've been lounging about for the past 2 days in South Carolina with Bruce's pal Gordon and his sister Joyce. Here are Bruce and Joyce ready to go on a bike ride.

Traveling Light

I pride myself on traveling light, but it is so hard keeping track of everything when you are traveling so far and so fast. Often we change hotels after only one night. Then we are getting out of the car all the time to tour and/or photograph. We were doing a great job of remembering to pack everything, including books and hot water kettle. Unfortunately, somewhere after Monday I lost my beloved Manfrotto monopod. I looked everywhere, but no luck. It was probably left at one of the places where we both photographed. I have a few places to check but I am not optimistic. No matter. I will replace my monopod and I think I will just travel lighter and perhaps leave monopod home on our next trip.
RIP Manfrotto Monopod (2005 - 2011)

Back to Jekyll Island

Back at Jekyll Island we had a chance to see the Wood Storks congregating at the golf course.

Jekyll Island is a great place for enjoying the beach, the pool, and the birds. There is very little traffic and virtually no noise. I could spend a lot of time here.

Sunset on Bradenton Beach

Florida evenings are balmy and warm so we went again to see the sunset on the beach. At the community beach they have live music and a restaurant. Here we all are.

Bradenton

We have been having a delightful relaxing in Bradenton with Marilyn and Dan. Walks on the beach to view the magnificent orange sunsets and full moons. Lots of yummy food too both at home and at the Starfish Market in nearby Cortez.

Grouper, Scallops, Coconut Hushpuppies, Grits, Coleslaw, and Fries.

Forget the Chains, Find the Taquerías

When it is time to eat, I avoid chains and search out good regional food. Yes, the USA still has excellent regional food and some of the best is in Florida. My trick here is to find the citrus fields - lemons, grapefruit, oranges, mandarines, tangerines, tangelos. Workers from Central America and Mexico are employed here so you will always see small taquerías along the highway. These family run establishments serve authentic Mexican food. There may be things as good, but there is nothing better than a real fresh taco with a Corona. In Florida City we had great food at Rosita's Mexican Restaurant and more of the same at Taquería San Julian in LaBelle.
Rositas Mexican Restaurant is located at 199 W Palm Dr in Florida City, FL 33034 Tel (305) 246-3114 and Taqueria San Julian is at 1100 State Road 29 S Labelle, FL 33935 (863) 612-9235. Both restaurants have gotten rave reviews on the net.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

I missed all the parades and parties. I can't believe I forgot to bring anything green with me and here it is, the 17th, Saint Patrick's Day!
We went to visit Bruce's cousin Rita in Naples. Rita is an artist and she and her husband live in a beautiful house filled with her paintings.

Back to the Everglades at Dusk

Paurotis Pond in Everglades at dusk is when the waders roost: egrets, herons and the stars of the show, the Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills. The birds fly over your head on their way to the opposite side of the pond.

Goodbye Key West

We left Key West in the afternoon via the beaches and the fishing piers where we saw lots of navy ships, cruise boats, pelicans before passing by the US Route 1 sign with the zero marker. Fortunately for a second time we succeeded in spotting that very rare species, a genuine conch. Captain Jimmy Bailey, born and bred in Key West, has been fishing the Florida Keys for over 37 years and is an expert. He charges a whopping $600 but his customer told us that Captain Jimmy knows where the fish are. We photographed him at Hooked Up Charter Fishing station while he was cutting up his customer's catch. Yea, his price includes all the messy work plus he provides bait. He'll take 6 people. I want to go fishing next time I come to Florida! Bruce and I make 2 people. Any candidates for the 4 more I need? I will bring the grill and the fish rub.
See Capt Bailey's YouTube video and see his website http://www.hookedupkeywest.com/ .

Key West Is Hot!

Yesterday Key West was too hot! I actually sat out the hottest part of the day in the hotel room. The sun blares. Evenings of course are magnificent. March is Key West's highest season so the streets and the beaches are packed. It is fun to see the nightlife easily visible as you walk by all the bars on Duval Street which have open windows. Happy patrons are dancing and whooping it up. We spent the day looking at historical houses in the quiet neighborhoods and talking to the residents. We befriended a young man who manages an art gallery. He lent us his very well-behaved parrot for a photo.
It was very interesting talking to so many different types of people in Key West. We spent a lot of time seeking out a very rare species, the conch i.e. someone who was born and bred in Key West. At last success! A very nice handsome man we met at a sandwich shop. His favorite meals are Fried Ribs and Fish with Grits. And yes, he shared his recipes plus his restaurant recommendations.

Key West Is Warm

"Let's walk on the shady side of the street." advised Bruce as we walked down Simonton Street from the Spindrift Motel. It is nearly 80° in Key West, almost too warm.
Key West is also very expensive. Northerners escaping the cold, college kids on spring break, plus half of Europe attracted by good prices for them come together here so the prices are bid up.

Everglades

Herons, egrets, alligators and lots of fellow tourists, especially from Germany, awaited us at the Everglades. On Saturday, the Everglades (along with all Florida's attractions) is very busy, but at dusk we were pretty much alone with the birds and the sunset.
Before entering the Everglades we stopped at Robert Is Here fruitstand, There was a long line for a Key Lime Milkshake.

Robert's milk shake is best enjoyed while you are picking out Key limes, mangos, avocados and other goodies at Robert's. If you can't go to southern Florida, visit Robert on-line. About 2o years ago when the net was young I posted a web site about Key Limes. I corresponded with Robert and he gave me his recipe for his luscious milk shake.

Robert's Key Lime Milkshake
2 ounces key lime juice
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
16 ounces soft vanilla ice cream

Blend the sugar and key lime juice very well, then add the ice cream. Blend well and pour into a tall glass and ENJOY!
Recipe compliments of Robert Is Here 1999

Miami Beach

Just left Miami. What a party city. No city beats this place for fun. The sign says no dogs, no guns and no alcohol. I did not see any dogs nor guns, but I saw waiters running down to the beach serving very fancy fruity drinks to half naked sunbathers. Gorgeous young people were riding their bikes along the beach path and sunning themselves on the white beach chairs. Miami beat booms in the background. Wow! Makes beaches in Rhode Island look pretty boring. Not to mention the beaches on the Red Sea. Developers world wide look at Miami to see what the world wants.

Welcome Centers

We always stop at the welcome centers. You can get free maps, hotel and restaurant coupons, plus it is fun and interesting to see how the different states portray themselves. Usually they try to deliver what the visitors expect. Often they can be very creative. Ray Charles music will somehow play in your head as you walk by Georgia's welcome sign.
Florida has without doubt the busiest welcome center we have ever visited. So many people waiting in line for hotel coupons. Lots of helpful staff plus free orange juice.
I just realized that Rhode Island doesn't have a welcome center. Hmm.

Grits

Grits is a very southern food. I never would have had them except for tasting them at the New England Barbecue Society 2007 Christmas party. Creamy delicious grits go great with beef short ribs and lots of other dishes, including shrimp and fish! On our way through Georgia and Florida I have been ordering grits every chance I get.
If you want your grits with shrimp at its best, go to Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, Florida. This is a very popular seafood restaurant and Florida is a big shrimping state so get the shrimp. Their shrimp tastes ultra-fresh. I got grits for a side. This meal was fantastic. The creamy grits at McCormick's on Jekyll Island, are also very good. McCormick's which is located at a golf course, is open for breakfast and lunch.
I have made grits myself using Emeril's recipe. Of course they were good. Does Emeril ever make anything which is not super good?

White-Cheddar Grits
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup quick-cooking white grits
2 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 cup grated white Cheddar Cheese

Directions
1. Bring the milk, seasoned with salt, to boil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining butter. While stirring, slowly add the grits, breaking up any lumps.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the grits are tender and slightly thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the heavy cream and 1/4 cup of the cheese, stirring until the cheese is completely melted. Season with salt/pepper.
Source: Emeril LaGasse http://www.wchstv.com/gmarecipes/shortribbourbonstew.shtml

Georgia's Jekyll Island

Yesterday following an early bbq lunch we were roaring down the highway towards Florida and I spotted signs for Jekyll Island. Yes, Bruce knew this Georgia gem so we promptly exited and found a nice efficiency room at the The Beachview Club. I can not say enough good about this idyllic get-away island. And it turns out that they escape hurricanes which avert them and continue on to Mississippi and to New Orleans. Wow! I must say I am very impressed. Kudos to Georgia.

Savannah

We arrived in Savannah yesterday afternoon. What a nice city to visit. Especially when it is warm and Boston is getting more snow. We walked along the river front and their famous River Street. Savannah has much historical significance. I paid homage at the General Nathaniel Greene's monument. Although born in Rhode Island, General Greene retired near Savannah where he is among their favorite sons.
There is also an interesting monument to Savannah's Waving Girl, Florence Martus who became famous because she greeted ships going in and out of Savannah by waving a white handkerchief. See more.
Food in Savannah is really good. We always having a hard time choosing where to eat. This time we opted for surprisingly small hole-in-the-wall Wiley's BBQ, a ten-minute drive from downtown. This place is worth the two-day trip. They serve competition-quality ribs, pulled pork and brisket. We have never had anything so good in a restaurant! Looks like we will be back in Savannah on the way back.
Off to see more of Savannah and on to Florida where it is really warm.

Kategorically Krazee

At 5:30 Bruce was waking me up. I have not yet finished processing the photos from our last trip and Bruce wants to escape the cold, so he is dragging me off to Florida. I pack my photo gear and a bathing suit and we empty the fridge into a cooler and an hour later we are in the car heading south.