Florida and beyond - The Keys

Yes, we are still in Ft Pierce and probably will be for another 10 days.

It's been quite a week!  We rented a compact car (and they gave us a convertible for the same price) so WooHoo, we took the Mitsubishi Eclipse and ran with it.  All the way to Key West and back!
                    The biggest problem was not squealing the tires when the light turns green!

This was at our resort in Marathon, FL - a quaint restored 50's type hotel that was really relaxing. 

 This town is about half-way down the Keys to Key West. 

But, first we stopped in Miami for the International Boat Show - the largest in the world!

Miami - too big, too many people, too much traffic and too hard to get around!

I wasn't impressed with the parts of Miami we saw.  But the boat show, now that was something else. Wow, didn't know I could still get that excited!

Lots of big, beautiful boats!

In the water show venue - one salesman we talked to was from Austrailia and the boat he was selling was originally designed and built in Holland (the Netherlands), but now the US version is being built in Holland, MI.

And in the parking lot - Go fast boats, this one displayed on it's side.

And inside the Miami Beach Convention Center, 4 levels of more boats and boat related products!

I think Don got his fill - I know I did!

No, I didn't get my fill.  I could have gone back for a second day, but our marriage was more important.  I never knew until visiting the show how much stuff  we still need for our boat.  It would be less expensive just to buy a 70 ft. yacht.  Actually that may be a good idea.  (But, then on second thought I don't want a divorce.) 

Now, it's on to Key West....

The famous Mallory Square, where the sunset is the main event, every day!

Vendors street muscians and street performers gather just before sunset to entertainthe tourists.

We've actually seen many beautiful sunsets here in Florida -it's always a special time for me!

The Disney cruise ship was docked here when we arrived.  2 other ships docked the next day - they estimate 3,000 people are aboard each ship.  So there were a lot of people there enjoying the sunny, warm weather and sights with us!

   

We toured Mel Fisher's Treasures (Don had read the book about the shipwreck recovered booty).

Here are some of the gold bars that were rescued from the sunken Spanish treasure ships in the early 1700's.  There was also a huge amount of silver bars, coins and other precious jewels.

View of the Botannical Center (which we toured) from the White Street Pier. 

In Key West - they have chickens running everywhere - Why?  Because they used to have them there for the Cock Fights and when they were outlawed, they just let them run free.  You hear this "cockadoodle do" all the time and just before we left we even saw some little chicks with their parents.  We saw many tourists, rode the trolley tour, ate some fresh seafood and just had a great time!

Don was taking some pictures here in Ft. Pierce and here was this peacock, just strutting his stuff!

There were several peacocks running loose just a few blocks from downtown. 

That's all folks - until next week....