Key West, Florida

Now that I have made it back to the colder climate I can reminisce on the warmth of this weekend. I shall wrap myself in these memories like a warm blanket.

Key West was gorgeous! I would highly recommend it to those who like sun and relaxation but be warned downtown is a cruise ship stop and filled with vendors selling overpriced wares and tourists shopping.

Things to see/do?

If you want to relax :There is a small area with sand and ocean you can lie out on.  There are tons of bars you can sit in partake in a beverage and people watch. Or you can sit on a bench in the sun ( benches tended to lack shade) and watch the gulf (and the tourists)

If you want history: you can visit Hemingway's home, the grounds are home to many a cat. The lighthouse is also neat you can walk up it and get a nice view ( no you can't see Cuba but it is only 90 miles away). There are several museums, if you are into wrecks I recommend the shipwreck museum.

Touristy stuff: other than the obvious shopping? There is a big rock denoting the southern most spot you can walk to in the continental united states there is a queue for photos. Sunset boat cruise, or you can spend sunset at Mallory square watching street performers and buying local wares (or drinks).  Eat a key lime pie or key lime cookies or really anything Key limey (so tasty).

For me? We took the relaxed approach wandered walked around until we got tired than sat in the sun with a drink and people-watched until the sunset.

Florida - Sea world

Yesterday was spent enjoying the sights and sounds of sea life! Sea world, Orlando was rather pricey yet worthwhile if you take in account a day of entertainment and some stunning shows.

The weather was overcast a bit chilly especially after going on Atlantis, the water ride. In retrospect wearing pants would have been more comfortable but who would have thought I'd need pants in Florida?

The Manta ride was awesome! You soar around on your stomach like a manta ray. When you flip over onto your back around a loop you experiance this weird sensation that I just can't quiet explain. I will just say "wow" try it sometime but don't eat first and empty your bladder.

I also got to pet some ray's, go through a shark tunnel, and live through the life of a sea turtle. However, the shows were what really made the day!

The Shamu killer whale show was awesome. The sheer size of the whales leaping and twisting out of the water on cue was spectacular.

The A'lure show was a feat if acrobatics and gravity defying stunts that momentarily made me feel like I was watching an underwater ballet. And the costumes were stunning.

Lastly and by far the best the dolphin show was a breathtaking combination if the other two shows. Acrobatics over and in a pool of dolphins. I don't think I blinked once!

Awesome renaissance vendor

The leather shop had an almost bald little person working who had a face painted on the back of his head. He had a little tail of hair that looked like a braided beard. He happily posed in front of this mirror for me. Sorry for the orientation I still can't figure out how to route them on this tablet.

Walden pond

<p>&lt;p&gt;A very special place near Concord, MA. This was the pond that inspired Henry David Thoreau to build a cabin and seclude himself in the forest. He kept a journal of his encounters while living bear the pond and surrounding forest eventually turning them into a book called Walden.</p>
<p>This area is simply a stunning bit of nature. The trees were in a variety of fall stages from green to yellow to orange-reds. The pond is about 1-1/2. Miles around and crystal clear reflecting all the surrounding colors. A picture will not truely capture this place.&nbsp; </p>
<p>There is something about the experience that a video, photo, or eye witness account will never give you. The smell of pine needles, fish, and rain. The feel of the light raindrops and leaves and rocks under my shoes. The sound of the wind rustling leaves, my shoes crunching them, people talking, birds chirping, and gentle lapping of water against the sandy beach. Every tree a different color. Combine with the vibrant Autumn colors and reflective pond you get a serene atmosphere. I just wish I'd had more time to be here taking it into my very being, done to my bones. Well maybe next time.

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.”  Henry David Thoreau

King Richard's Faire

<p>In Carver, MA which is just outside of Plymouth is a nice renaissance festival. This faire is nestled in a forest which works well for a squirrel such as I! Again great weather and no mud!

I got some fun photos of faire goers and shoppe keepers, a lot of both thought myself And Katarina were workers which amused us to no end :). I spent money thus assisting the success of several shoppes and show men.

Shows we saw included swordsmen, torture, mud, and big cats. Shoppes we perused included Corsets, leather, tiaras, pewter, and food! To purchase food you bought tickets than redeemed them which I found very awkward as you had to purchase them in groups of 10 ($5 worth) and we had several left over that we gave away but the food was tasty especially the overloaded chocolate cake!

The best show was the big cat show where the brought out a variety of cats including a white tiger and a 900 lb liger! My favorite shoppe was the leather shoppe where the lovely vendors were so helpful (and flurry) there was even a little person with a face painted on the back of his head... I hope to post that photo when I pull it off my other camera. I would go back again however now I am really geared up for Ohio rennfest!

Freedom trail!

The freedom trail passes by many historical Boston sites including the state house (capitol bldg), boston massacre site, and faneuil hall.

The weather was great low 70's sunny light breeze

. Our tour guide was awesome! Very knowledgable even portrayed one of his ancestors giving us a thorough idea of boston of the 1700's. Mostly brick pathways with a line down the middle to mark the trail. Photos include me at the new capitol building ( built in 1798), old edition street light only 12 left all of which are here in Boston, faneuil hall, quincy market, green dragon pub ( where we ate lunch), a giant macaroni statue, and the grave marker of John Hancock! Next up a night tour of haunted Boston!

Route 66 revisited

For the past several weeks I have been going through pictures and creating a collage. It is 30 in by 30 in and still has a few little details left but I wanted to share it with every one! Any suggestions on a title?