Super Friends, Sunsets, National Park but Not so Super Bowl

We had a busy time this week in the Keys enjoying the sunsets, hanging out with friends and a quick trip to Biscayne National Park near Homestead. We went to the Art Under the Oaks to check out the local arts and crafts but I did not take any pictures. The weather has improved with warmer temps and mostly sunny skies.

We started the week with fellow Pennsylvanians and Steelers fans Sue and Denise. We were all prepared for a big win but as you all know it did not end well. 

After the disappointing game we had a real spread of food to console us. Joe made a great fish stew and everyone else contributed great dishes.

Beth and Dick.

Jim and Chris.

Jean and Gary

Sue and Dennis

Joe and Kathy, it was also their going away party as they have moved on to Central Florida.

George and Linda. Linda complained that her eyes were closed......

......so I took another picture later in the week - Dilly, Dilly!!!

We wanted to get the Biscayne National Park stamp in our book so we did a day trip out of the Keys. This is a unique national park that is made up of a very narrow strip of land on the mainland, the northern most keys and coral reefs but most of the sights are under the water of the bay.

The visitors center has interesting displays of what the coral reefs are like with the various plants and sea life.. 

Most of the shoreline of the park is covered with mangrove trees that are great for nesting birds and controlling erosion, especially during hurricanes. Irma did very little damage here. 

There are also exhibits about the many ship wrecks that occurred here over the years and a few of the larger keys that were once inhabited.

It is hard to see but the skyscrapers of Miami Beach, 20+ miles away, can be seen on the horizon. It was cool and windy the day we were there so we will have to return some time to get out on the water in a kayak or one of the excursion boats to get an up close look at the reefs and mangrove forest.

We always look forward to the sunsets here. The group usually gathers on the dock or at the tiki hut to watch the ever changing sky. This is a panoramic picture of one that was beautiful but not lighting up the high clouds.

A closer look at the same sunset.

  The best sunsets are the ones that reflect off the water.

We are amazed at how long they last. Sometimes the sky is still orange an hour after the sun has sunk over the islands.

Another Sunday, another football game. Tim and Patty are die hard Pats fans so we know who they are cheering for. Even though the Steelers were not playing we too got together and enjoyed the food and drinks while rooting for the ?????????

Shawna and Lance, who have only been fulltiming for six months, joined us.

Ray and Laura are Packers fans so they did not have a team in the game either. John was rooting for the Vikings so he went home disappointed after the second game.

Gary was the only Floridian here and even though he is a Dolphins fan he was rooting for the Jags. Nanc had to console him after the game.

New Englanders Linda and George sure were happy with the Pats comeback. It would have been a lot more fun for us if Pittsburgh had been playing (and beating) the Pats, but we still managed to have a good time.

This is our last week in the Keys. On Tuesday we will be heading to Betty's RV Park in Louisiana. It will be a four day 1100 mile sprint . We will be there for two months and are looking forward to seeing many friends there and enjoying the music and food.