Days 21-25 - Key Largo, FL - Tuesday

Key Largo Kampground 2/9/2015 - 2/13/2015
101551 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037

Tuesday:

Lots to write about tonight.  I'd like to:

1. Share the experimental dinner I prepared.
2. Share the news about my beautiful granddaughter, Sara, who landed 7:50 a.m. tomorrow in Sydney, Australia.  She'll be spending the next 5 months at Griffith University, her second semester of her junior year while at the University of Rhode Island (URI)
3. Share photos of the campground including a new admirer (of Winnie, not me), Big Al from Ohio.

1.  Experimental dinner:  Saw this on the Internet from Chow Tip.  Saves time, energy, and water.  Cook spaghetti in a frying pan.

Spaghetti was too long for my pan, so I broke
them in half.  Cover with cold water plus another 1/2".

Nothing cooks like gas.  Pan came to a boil in less
that 3 minutes.

Using high heat, spaghetti cooked in 8 minutes.
It was al dente.  10 minutes would have been
better.  Next dish will be with penne.

Second experiment: "Grill" frozen Texas Toast
in a microwave/convection oven.

Success; spaghetti cooks up just right....for me,
10 minutes.  Drained and .....

...added sauce (no meat).  Had frozen the sauce
kindly provided by the folks at Luigi's in Port Orange, FL.

Don't forget to wipe the inside of the bowl for
a better, more professional look.

Add a little Parmesan cheese

Garlic bread experiment was successful also.
However, though it was cooked through
with a crispy crust, a toaster oven is still my preference
for the "toasted" look and taste.

Montemercurio Tedicciolo is tonight's wine.
 It's an 80% Merlot, 20% Sangiovese blend from Italy.

Taaa Daaa.  A meal fit for a guy sitting in an RV
in Key Largo, Florida.

 Now, as for the little lady out there who's reading this and saying, "Man, you've got too much time on your hands." My response is: "Yes, I do and it's a beautiful thing."

2.  Sara's Upcoming Adventure in Australia:

Sara & Beca saying good bye

Sara, junior at URI
Beca, freshman at Sacred Heart University, CT
How beautiful!  "Absence does make the heart
grow fonder."

Sara with friend, Alli at JFK

Sara and Dad

Sara and Mom

And off she goes.  5 months worth of
"stuff?"  Wow.

15 hour flight from LA to Sydney.
At this point 5 1/2 hours left.....

....1 1/2 hours left.  She left 30 minutes late
and arrive 20 minutes early.

3.  Key Largo Kampground:

Sunrise was at 6:59 am today.  While waiting, I
caught this egret searching and spearing its
morning meal.

Reminiscent of my years staying in Daytona Beach Shores,
sunrises were a must-see.  Most times I awakened without
the need to set an alarm.  To witness sunrises is a special
event.  My view here, however, was obstructed by the lush
groves of Bonefish Flats.

Still, it's well worth the wait.

This campground has full time residents and a Condo Association.  As you walk the roadways, it is evident that parts of it is a trailer park.  And whatever image you conjure up in your mind regarding the condition of years old trailers converted for use as permanent homes with added on roofs, screened in porches, screened in lattice work to hide what's behind, lawn ornaments, potted plants, etc....well, you get the idea.  There are many tent sites as well. 

What you can't read: "on my plants."

Vicki, here's some ideas for your landscaping

Yes, crystal clear....and blue

 

There's something about palm trees that's so mesmerizing

My next door neighbors from PA
They own that plot of land.

I was captivated by the denseness

of the Mangroves and thought of

the movies I've seen that showed the 

futility

 of 

prisoners, slaves, or the 

shipwrecked survivors 

who tried to make

their 

way through 

this "jungle." 

What wildlife must lurk within?

Two people events to tell you about.  While I was outside on my lounge using my iPad, an elderly gentleman rode by on his bike, stopped just past my rig and returned to have a word with me.  Realizing I was using an iPad, he wanted to know if I could help his wife read their home town newspaper (8 pages).  Apparently she could access it with the iPad their children gave HIM and he, in turn, with no knowledge or desire, gave to her.  (It reminded me of the video clip showing the German grandfather using his daughter's gift of an iPad as a chopping board--ask for the link if you haven't seen it.) He was asking about "codes" that were needed for her to get to read what she wanted....page by page.  She was busy playing shuffleboard.

Next, another bike rider rode by but stops, walked his bike in and said he's got an earlier version of the Winnebago View and really likes mine.  What year? Gas mileage? How long have you had it?  How many miles does it have?  His doesn't have the back slide out which, for me, is a queen size bed.  He was curious as to how things have changed.  He so admired mine that I invited him to go inside and see for himself....with the stipulation that I may take his picture to add to my "visitor collection."  He pleasantly obliged. His name is Al and he's by himself from Ohio.  He flew down and his rig is in his garage. Another addition to my gallery.  I'm updating it after I post this.

I refer to him as "Big Al" because.......he is.

And so ends day 22 of my "Winter Adventure." 19 days, 19 hours, and 30 minutes left.  I'm glad I decided to spend short amounts of time in different sites/states AND deciding to extend by one week.  I know I'll want to write a blog and rate the 12 campgrounds I will have seen.

P.S.  If you've gotten this far and have read this very, very long blog.....wow, I thank you.  They're supposed to be short and sweet.  But, hey, I'm writing for me, right.  With all that time on my hands, it's pure enjoyment as I hope it is for you.  Tomorrow, I'm walking out the entrance for my daily walk and will wind up down at Publix to pick up some things....including ONE ITEM that I crave and haven't had in weeks.  I've fought it off long enough.  Can you guess?  Until tomorrow.

VS.