Flowers and Picket Fences

See? It's not such a chore to go to the Post Office when this is your view across the street!

Whittles Mill

Or what's left of it, anyway.

Funnel Cake Anyone?

This is just the tail end of Lakefest! There are 5 more blocks of it behind me. I just like this picture because you can see the actual lake in the background! I only bought 4 things: a pet memorial stone for Monroe's grave, a Bloomin' Onion for Mom and some presents that I can't mention here on the off chance the recipients stumble onto this blog! Oh, I wanted to buy more...

For more pictures, go here!

Look! Up in the sky!

It's always a clue that Lakefest is upon us when hot air balloons appear in the sky over Clarksville and it's surrounding countryside. There were balloon rides for kids last night, as well as this sunrise balloon show this morning. Tomorrow, the real festivities begin!

Graduation Day

Jake and his Marine recruiter. He's heading to Paris Island in August.

Cypress House

The Cypress House on Caroline Street in Key West. Unfortunately, it's no longer made of cypress.... oh well.

Come Sail Away

More of the Key West gallery.

Color & Shade

Looking up into the branches of a Royal Poinciana tree in Key West. This tree was like nothing I'd ever seen (since I'd never been to South Florida before) but it's probably the most gorgeous tree ever! It is named for Phillipe de Longviliers de Poincy, who introduced it to the Americas in the 1600s (it's native in Madagascar). It is rumored he planted the tree on all his holdings so he would know which islands were his from offshore.

Corner of Greene and Duval

The famous (or infamous) Sloppy Joe's has been at this location since 1937, but began its history the day prohibition was repealed - December 5, 1933. Joe Russell, the bar's founder, was a charter boat captain, rum runner and buds with Ernest Hemingway. He was the model for Freddy, the owner of Freddy's Bar and captain of the Queen Conch in "To Have and Have Not."

Sloppy Joe's is open 365 days a year, 9am to 4am (noon to 4am on Sundays.) Don't miss the live Duval Street webcam outside the front doors. And check out their website for other cool stuff.

Red, White & Blue Over Key West

These aren't the only colors that have flown over Key West. In 1982, Key West "seceded" from the U.S. in protest to a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock which destroyed tourism. The island inhabitants declared themselves the Conch (konk) Republic and surrendered the next day. The protest worked, the roadblock was re-opened, but you can still buy flags and passports as souvenirs.

Flyin' the Friendly Skies

East Coast skies in June.

Colorful Pathways

This is actually a pedestrian and golf cart road on the grounds of the Coral Bay Resort at Islamorada (mile marker 75.5). My cousins used to run the place, so we stopped by there on our way to Key West to see what the place was looking like since they left. This stretch of U.S. 1 is flanked by resort after resort, but you can't get a feel for any of them from the road.