Key Lime Photo Contest 2015

At the beginning of December Key Lime Sailing Club in Key Largo, Florida held its annual photo contest...best photo taken at Key Lime wins some time at the resort. Here are a few of the photos I really like...you can vote for your favorite on their Facebook site...I contributed a few also....George

Santa's on Vacation

It appears Christmas is over and the Santa's have headed south for winter vacation...George

Toronto Christmas Market

The Mill St. Brewery Christmas Tree...got to like this one at the Distillery District, Toronto

We spent last Saturday in Toronto at the St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District for the Toronto Christmas Market...really liked the two Christmas trees.....George

The huge tree placed next to the stage.

Susanne heads towards the rows of Christmas booths that line the walkways.

A Sunny Merry Christmas To All

Jamie's 36th Birthday

Jamie's hot sauce is in order 1 to 10 in the heat range.

Monday night we gathered to celebrate Jamie's birthday a few days early. A good time with most of the family present...George

Pizza and beer is the what we had for all.

Not sure what happened.

Jake had hammers for all the boys.

Nicole was under the weather but Michelle included her via technology and I got a shot of the two.

Susanne made a nice cake.

The Gingerbread Man

Cristy and Dee hold up this great tasting locally made cookie...you can get your own in Komoka, Ont.

On Monday Susanne and I visited with Peter and Ann Mumby for a pre-Christmas get together. On our way out they surprised us with a large gingerbread man with all the grand kids named on it. They knew we had a family get together later in the evening...the cookie was a great hit...George

The gang gathers for a group shot. The cookie did not last long with the adults getting into the it.

Paddling Along

Not a great shot but one worth taking...never seen anyone use an engine cover as a dingy.

On one of our sunset sails Paul our captain for the evening pointed out a gentleman paddling across in front of us. He offered an extra day stay free if anyone could guess what he was paddling across in. He was standing but was not a paddle board. No one could figure it out...as it turned out he uses his engine cover from his 20 something powerboat as his dingy...he lives on his boat...George

Key Largo - Sunrise

Looking west off the docks at dawn.

Near the end of our stay in Key Largo I got up early and took Ruby down to the waterfront with my coffee...something I did each morning. This particular morning it was really early and really calm. The sun was just coming up. The view from the docks was one of the best I saw...even better than most of the sunsets...George

Looking south from our dock. Just beyond the boats is the location that some of the scenes from the old Flipper (the dolphin) TV series was shot...us old guys remember that show.

Flipper ran from 1964 till 1967.

Susanne's wish list

While in Myrtle Beach we came across a large chalk board near the entrance to the beach pier. Well Susanne had something to add...hope you can read Nathan...George

Another Florida Keys - Signs

Florida Keys - Signs

Upside Down House

You sure will know were this corner is if you get the directions I did recently.

Our trip south took a different route...we have done the I75 too many times in the past. We headed over to Myrtle Beach and headed south along the coast visiting, Charleston, Hilton Head and Beaufort to name a few location.

While in Myrtle Beach we asked directions to Target and the directions mentioned when you get to the upside down house you turn right...well guess what you can't miss the house...George

This house is part of an amusement location in a shopping plaza parking lot.

Key Lime Views

At the gates of our Keys visit.

Here are a couple of views of the Key Lime entrance. The area before the gate is a mess of old boats and junk but once passing the gate you are into the world of the keys. The top photo was taken after dinner one night. There are lit tiki lights all over the property during the evening...George

This is what you see from the highway as you drive up to Key Lime Cottages. One wonders about the junkyard out front. It sure keeps people away randomly looking for a place to stay. It is very nice once through the gates. Oh that is Ruby out for her morning walk.

The Health Benefits of Sailing

Thought this link was interesting to anyone considering sailing...George

The Health Benefits of Sailing -

Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar - Key Largo

This is the view from our table at Bayside Grille, Key Largo last month.

We spent one evening watching the sunset and having dinner at Bayside a short walk from our cottage. This location was suggested by my friend Brad who winters in Key Largo. The following is my own short review of the place.

 

Bayside is a really nice place to have a seafood dinner and take in the sunset. We dined upstairs next to a large glass window with a good view of the gulf and inter-coastal water highway. Our Mahi dinner was good at a reasonable price. Downstairs there is entertainment and happy hour deals. Service was quick and good. Our pain killers and margarita's were spot on...George

The Hideout Restaurant - Key Largo

You can't miss this place...there is a huge sing on A1A.

One evening at the tiki hut two sisters staying at Key Lime Cottages mentioned this interesting restaurant that one of theirs husband always liked visiting in the past. On Fridays they have all you can eat seafood and all you can drink...Bud Light draft for $12.95. Well guess were we ate on Friday. The place is a hole in the wall just north of Key Largo way back in along the waterfront...you can't miss it by the huge sign. Plastic everything and if you want wine, bring your own as some did. The sign below tells you what you get, Grouper is the main fish served but Mahi is available for an extra cost. One thing I never had with fish before is beans. Their beans are great and I had seconds. The sign says 5 beers max, but they had to put that on the sign as they once got a group from Miami that stayed all night drinking...not the intention of the special. My beer cup was like a morning coffee cup, every time my beer was down a bit the waitress was around to top it up...Susanne cut me off quickly as I still had to drive us back to Key Lime...this is a must eat location if in Key Largo...George

Nice Thought

Pilot House Restaurant - Key Largo

Pilot house is actually right over the water with a great view of the marina.

It was our first time there for happy hour on an early Saturday evening. Our friends suggested it as it is their favorite place. Great atmosphere with live music and glass floor panel that are lit in the evening bringing in some interesting looking fish. The food is typical of pub fare but the fish offerings are tasty. So good we came back for more the next afternoon and to catch Sunday football which is seen on a number of large screens. NFL Sundays has a nice menu also including $2 beers. Oh the African Queen docks at the waterfront door during the evenings bringing guests over from the Holiday Inn...a nice touch. Our server was nice making our visit a nice experience...George

African Queen docks occasionally during the evenings.

The glass floor panels can be seen under the chairs.

Here we see the Sunday NFL specials. Conch fritters and boneless chicken wings.

Sunset Sail

The 47' catamaran is seen at dock prior to boarding on Sunday.

One of the freebies while staying at Key Lime Cottages was a sunset sail on Sunday. Since we were there 8 nights we actually got two sunset sails, the first night we arrived and the last one before we left. Paul was a great host on his 47' catamaran which is totally green including electric motors. If you ever take the sail it is best to sit in the cockpit since he has a lot of good stories to tell. Those up front missed out on them during our first sail. The crowd was large on our second sail plus his girl friend was along keeping him in line....George

Paul the captain of the boat and owner of Key Lime Cottages.

Our last Sunday at Key Lime and a last sail out on the bay.

Getting ready for the evening sail.