Calusa Campground - Key Largo

Well, the first full day here is nearly done and darkness has descended as the sun disappeared from sight while I enjoyed another fish dinner with Tiger and Molly -- they had fully one half of one fish and so, I'm having another bowl of brown rice to fill the old man's tummy.  As usual, Tiger ate like a dog -- everything you put down in sight, he will eat it until he gets sick (and he did).  Now there's a plate of leftovers for him for later (though he doesn't seem to want to touch it).  Had my first Sapote as a desert to the meal -- and it did taste mostly like chocolate pudding (same texture too).  Just need whipped cream (which I didn't have).

Got up around 7:00 this morning and started a fresh pot of coffee with the idea of heading back to Homestead early to return an item to Walmart -- a kitty tower unit I had bought yesterday morning before heading from the Goldcoaster.  Thought it would be a nice treat for the twins upon arriving here yesterday but, upon opening the package found there was less than half the parts listed on the box and one extra item of cloth that smelled like a cat had peed on it -- yuck.  Happy to get that back to them and warned them it was contaminated and should not be put back on the shelf no matter what they thought.

Did make another stop on the way back to Key Largo -- at the Starbucks there and enjoyed another white choclolate mocca with a breakfast sandwich on the trip back.  Noticed less on the trip back to Calusa as the ride in the RV yesterday had given a far better view of the Everglades and bays and sounds on either side -- made me more aware of the real possibility of a "crocodile crossing" the road as the signs indicated.  Did note on the trip back to Key Largo that the biggest form of "Roadkill" on the pretty much straight road (besides the two raccoons I saw) were the high count of trailer tires -- probably from boat trailers being improperly maintained.

After getting back and assembling another kitty structure (smaller and simpler than the kitty tower), I packed the camera, bottle of water and a cold can of root beer for a trip down Key Largo and most of Islamorada.  The farthest I went was Anne's Beach on Plantation Key at the southern end of Islamorada and walked, waded around awhile on the mostly white clay beach (some sand mixed in).  Saw a couple Needlefish in the shallows and a couple Egrets trying to catch the smaller fish -- saw a couple little schools of them too.  It was sunny and warm so, made sure to lather up with more sunscreen -- adding already to the best tan I've ever had in my life (I think).  The ocean felt like a warm bath as I waded around.

The farther south I headed on US1, it seemed the places (hotels and resorts) were more lush and better taken care of and some of the private homes were expansive (and looked really expensive).  Looking left, I could see the Atlantic Ocean and immediately looking right, I could see the Gulf of Mexico.  Water color was a beautiful turquoise -- quite like the concrete barriers on the stretch of road from Homestead.

Also stopped at Founders Park on the way back but, none seemed to provide good fishing possibilities so, may have to consider places slightly beyond Anne's Beach -- where fishing from the bridges is supposed to be allowed (nowhere on the way down or back from the bridges I crossed).  We'll see what tomorrow morning brings -- did get a huge surprise package from my daughter and son this evening (birthday gift of Omaha Steaks filet mignons, veggie platters and potatoes -- makings for some fine grilling this weekend).

Might put some weight on this thinned down body -- keep my jeans from falling off my hips.