Grassy Key

Well, we've started our trip North. Admittedly only a couple of miles, but still! Grassy Key RV Park is a small park with a pool, on the Gulf side. We're here for Christmas and then will head to the Naples area on the 28th.

What have we been doing?
*Kayaking through a mangrove swamp at Curry Hammock. Very tight fit even with a kayak. Mangroves overhead--really dense growth. And big spiders--the body about the size of a loonie!
*Going through the Dolphin Research Center--they have a new baby dolphin that is only 2 weeks old. The Mom is attentive to the new one and they swim around the enclosure together--but the baby is getting independent and starting to swim away from the Mom.
*Going through the Turtle Rescue Hospital. Ocean pollution is causing fibrous growths on the turtles, which they laser off. Also, they eat plastic bags and other floating garbage which causes them to get sick and unable to dive for food. And they get hit by boats. They have an ambulance, operating room, "wards", both private and semi-private, the whole deal.
*Watching their Christmas Boat Parades at 2 sites. They decorate up their boats and drive around. One of the little ones was all made up as Santa's sleigh, and a big one had part of the High School Band playing on deck! There was a pirate one as well, complete with noisy bangs and loud "aarghs".

Its been hot here--they have been beating records just about every day by 2 and 3 degrees. Sunday was 89F, old record 87, normal 76--they are already talking about it being the warmest December on record. So that and the high humidity slows us down a bit--pool time is welcome as is the trailer air conditioning!

We have 2 little battery powered Christmas trees on the go, and the outdoor lights and a couple of LED candy canes as well. Christmas carols on the stereo too. But it is quite different being away from family and cold. We miss you.

bye for now