BSF. Near Big Pine Key

24 Feb.

Early ferry to key west. About 120 miles in 3 plus hours. 450 on the boat,
many for just a day trip.

Boston folks I traveled with sounded the praises of Sarasota; on my route
for later but firsr an exploration of the Northern Keys and their bike
paths. Yes, a few have paths. One I am heading to is in killdeer national
refuge.

First impression of the keys….wait the second as the first is clearly the
wind; large unprotected spans. Second is the water color. Gulf on one side
and Ocean on the other. Multiple colors as water is shallow. My tinted
glasses add to the contrast.

Pictures tell all about my abode for the evening. The propriator said that
last year he was full every night for all of Feb, March and April. This
year he has some vacancies, but business is picking up. He hasa not lowered
prices.

Dinner was perfect. First Conch (pronounced conk) soup. A Gastropod,
strombas gigas, see wikipedia, is used like clams. The chowder is tomatoe,
potatoe, veggies, and should be served spicy with oyster crackers. Done
right here!

Then Fra Diavolo. All the seafood was feesh and excellent. Nice very spicy
sauce. Had to 'settle' for this as the spiny Florida lobster is out of
season.

Passed on the Key Lime pie – just too much though I am sure I could have
ingested.

Beautiful night on the keys. Off for now to go look at the stars using the
Android Star guide app.

Love, virtual hugs and kisses to the QB whom I miss