1226 March 2, 2025 Sunday Musings
I took a morning walk along the side street. I walked about a mile, chatting with my mom and then my sister, before turning back. I knew we were riding bikes today and I wanted to save my legs.
We pedaled from Stock Island and made a left toward the beaches. As we rounded the first big bend, the water came into view, variegated blues and greens. The sight of the ocean never fails to take my breath away. As we went along the water, my thoughts turned inward. Today was a great day to be here and to be breathing in this salty air and to be feeling alive. I thought that I always want to retain my sense of awe and wonder. I was reminded to be grateful always for the time that I am granted and the life that I have. Key West is all about excess; excess food and booze and money. This party vibe is contagious and it would be really simple to lose track of values and gratitude.
Our destination was Higgs Beach. We knew that there was an Artisan Market there. We found some fresh tomatoes and mango.
We stopped at an Indian food vendor and sampled the butter chicken. We got that and some pakoras for our dinner tonight.
There was live music.
We found a bakery with some whole grain sourdough and we grabbed the last loaf.
We wandered among the various craft and art stalls…such lovely things…but again, we don’t need things.
This guy was creating art with such wonderful and positive messages. I was going to take a picture of one of his paintings…he asked me not to. He said that people will take a picture of his work and then create a photo and then sell them online…oh so very wrong! I apologized at once. I told him that I loved the positive messages that he was conveying in his work. He called me back and said “Please come and take a picture!” I replied “Only if I might take your picture as well.” With a huge smile, he flipped over the art that he was working on to show to my camera…yes…life is a beautiful adventure!
We stuffed our bike bags with all of our purchases and rode out onto the pier.
We continued along the water, back the way we had come.
We stopped to watch this woman on a standup paddleboard with her dog. I zoomed in to snap a picture and I swear that I could see that dog smiling.
As we made our way back to Stock Island, we saw a fenced in grassy area where at least 5 iguanas were sunning themselves.
Rest time this afternoon.
We enjoyed our Indian dinner and then we drove the Jeep to Key West. We found parking and walked to Mallory Square. This street performer was just beginning his act. He was smart and very funny and quite entertaining. I was taking his picture and he caught me…”Hey lady, are you taking my picture?” and then “Let me pose for you.”
When the show was over we stood with the throng along the seawall and we watched the sun go down. This shared sunset experience made me feel warm and connected in a way that I haven’t in some time.
We walked toward Captain Tony’s Saloon and we could hear good music and so we entered the dark and gritty bar and we each had a drink and we listened to a really accomplished musician. He could really play the guitar, he had a great voice and he played lots of old stuff.
The bar stools had names engraved in the top.
There were also stools for John Candy, Tom Walker, John Prine and others. We aren’t clear if those famous people actually sat here or if they were being remembered.
Andrea ran today in the Atlanta Publix Marathon. She placed 2nd for female in her age group. She is amazing!
I didn’t run a marathon but I did walk 11,733 steps and we did about 9 miles on our bikes…a good and active day!