It has been a long but eventful day. We were up at 3:45 am and out the door by 4:15 and headed to Chicago to fly on Southwest to Fort Lauderdale and drive down to Key West. Beautiful morning for driving. Not much traffic. I always have trouble determining if I should stay on I-55 or cut over on I-80 to 294 and up Cicero Avenue to Midway Airport. Traffic being what it was, I chose the direct I-55 route. Good choice. A few minor delays, but 2:15 min later, we were dropping the bags at the airport and Sandy was checking in while I parked the car in long term parking. $15 a day. Not bad.  

Got checked in and through security no problem . Even had time to have a sit down breakfast at Harry Carry's inside the terminal. We split a ham a cheese omelet. One of us had water, the other a bloody mary...you figure who had what!

Soon we were at B-17 and headed to ATL for a stop and then on to FLL. Got a cheaper flight stopping but didn't have to change planes. The plane from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale was not full at all. Sandy and I had an open middle seat between us. Nice on the smaller, 737-700. The 800 has a lot more room. By the time we slept and read a bit, we were in FLL. I am reading a book about Mary Magdalene. I have some theories about her that sort of challenge traditional Christian theological thinking. Not saying she was the wife of Christ or anything like The DaVinci Code, but rather she played a more important role in the early history of the church than people (yea, you Peter and Paul) ever gave her credit. Anyway, enough of that theory that irks my daughter.

Got to FLL and couldn't find baggage claim . Very confusing airport. I've flown in there once before, but that was years ago. Sandy was at a conference at Rolling Hills Golf and Tennis Resort for State Farm, and wanted me to come down for the weekend. Ever hear of it? Yea, it's the place where they filmed Caddy Shack! Fun course. Even had the gopher on the flags for the holes. Fun place. Anyway, they have changed the airport since then and the baggage claim was tough to find (at least for some of us on the flight....we weren't the only ones!) Then finally got to Hertz and they treated me like a king, like they always do....Mercedes C250. Nice ride.  

We headed south and unfortunately I thought I was smarter than Siri so I stayed on I-95 to US1. Well, stop and go for 45 minutes later and I agreed, she was right to take me around and get on US1 later. We'll do that on the way back.  

I also thought they might have upgraded US1 in the past 25 years. That's how long ago we were last in Key West. Nope. Still primarily a 2-lane road. 35/45 and 55 mph all the way. No wonder it takes three house to get 3:53 to get to Key West from FLL. A fun ride though, seeing all the fun shops along the way.  

We were getting a little hungry and decided to stop in Key Largo. Found a great little out of the way restaurant/bar called Shipwreck...Beer, Wine and Grill. Ate out on the patio in the sunlight . Almost forgot what that was like. Great grilled Mahi Mahi and a salad. And back on the road again. Over all the bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Beautiful scenery. Missed the sunset in Key West by about 45 minutes. We think they will have another one tomorrow!!! We were both getting a little tired when we made it into town and headed to Zero Duval Street, Key West. Cheap old Dave is usually just that. But I figured I may not make it down here again in my lifetime, so go ahead and splurge. Ocean Key Resort and Spa and a room with the ocean view. You can see the sunset over the water from our balcony!  

Went for a walk down Duval Street. You see some strange things down here. Good mix of people. Some our age. Some 40's and then a younger 20's and 30's crowd. Lots of cigar shops. Lots of "junk shops." And all sorts of restaurants where you can get a table by the street and just people watch. Finally decided to stop in to Jimmy Buffet's place, Margaritaville. Great margarita and good Cuban sandwich. I'll get a cheeseburger in paradise some other time.  

Headed back to the resort. Found a donut shop for breakfast. Sandy has a spa treatment tomorrow and I think I'm going to discover Key West Golf Club. The front desk is calling after 9:00 to see if they can get me on.  

Back to the room. Blog and bed. Been up for almost 24 hours and I'm not as young as I used to be. Take care my family and Friends.

Dave