Day 19 - Mar. 8 - Charles returns to Oregon

Up early.  Starbucks and then off to the airport to meet a flight.  Gordon has another friend arriving at 9:40 from the cold northeast.

Charles arranged a late departure time from the Crowne Plaza so there will be some overlap time for all to visit before Charles takes a hotel van to the airport later in the day and Gordon drives back to Key West for a second week of fun in the sun.

End of this trip blog. 😊

Lauderdale airport Crowne Plaza

Day 18 - Mar. 7 - Key West to Fort Lauderdale

Up early.  Packed the FJ for the run up to Fort Lauderdale for the night.  Charles flys home tomorrow.

First breakfast at the Banana Cafe for a farewell Eggs Benedict, Charles' favorite spot and meal.  Men's room photo. Classy place.

Stopped on Marathon Key at Sombrero beach for another walk 

and grabbed a quick lunch on Islamerada at the fish company.  Again a Charles favorite spot and he had his favorite meal; whole fried yellowtail snapper.

Arrived Lauderdale at our hotel around 3pm.  Took a swim and then headed for an early supper.

Found Anthony's Runway 84.  Great Italian.  Pricy.  We took most of had meal

Home in a doggie bag.  Huge portions.

Charles interpretation of Wilson on Tool time with Tim the Tool Man.

Day 17 - Mar. 6 - Key West

Starbucks where Charles snapped a selfie while Gordon got his latte....

then a nice breakfast at Blue Heaven.  Patio eating with a family of new chicks scurrying around the brick flooring underfoot.

Errands at KMart and Walgreens then back to Casa 325.  Charles packs up for an early departure tomorrow.  Gordon leaving stuff in the office as he'll be back for a second week after taking Charles back to Lauderdale for his flight.

We went our separate ways for lunch.  Gordon a salad at Charlie Macs and Charles shrimp bisque and Asian baby back rib appetizer at Mangos.

Charles went out to go swimming after lunch and after coming out of the pool and laying down for some sun noticed that there was a thunderstorm about to dump on him big time.  He headed inside and the downpour began.  Thunder and lightening followed for about an hour then clear by 7pm.

We drove off Key for an evening snack at the Hogfish Grill.  Nothing to rave about.  Off our list for sure.

Day 16 - Mar. 5 - Key West

Breakfast at Pepe's.  Creamed dried beef of the highest order and great grits.  A high culinary day for Gordon.

Then on a full stomach we somehow took a walk that ended up being almost six miles. And it was hot!

Shot some flowering plants along he way.

Stopped at the key West Garden Club 

And at Higgs Beach

Day 15 - Mar. 4 - Key West

IAnother great breakfast at Banana Cafe.  Today: La Chèvre Chaud - a crepe filled with apple slices and walnuts sautéed with butter, brown sugar and liquor and topped with fresh goat cheese.  This breakfast is one of the reasons we keep coming back to the Banana Cafe in Key West.  Fabulous!

Next a visit to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.  Got in before the crowds and enjoyed a pleasent but challanging half hour try to photograph that which rarely lites and flys in totally random directions.  

A few other characters noisily present themselves ....

3pm. Back from a swim and now out for a stroll and dinner.

Headed back to Charlie Macs for a shredded smoked pork taco, a great stew and a Caesar salad.

Then a cigar and a walk to the the ice cream shop at the cruise ship end of town.

Day 13 - SPECIAL !! Night Scenes

A few shots from an eight pm stroll down Duval Street