HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE

So, we spent the New Years Eve day checking out the surrounding area.... Imagine wearing a bathing suit on Dec 31st. The picture here is one taken at Pennekamp state park. We are walking on a board walk through a mangrove. Very cool trees that thrive in swampy moist sandy or corally ground. They reroot themselves kind of like a banyon tree does. There were 3 different type of mangroves in this park.

We found that the whole east side of the Florida "Keys" is a large coral reef. So as you can imagine, there is a lot of snorkelling, diving, and some glass bottom boat tours. The waters are also abundant with beautiful tropical fish. There is also a lot of fishing going on around here. Private and tours....

And, as Hercules is showing you here, the trees grow in funky ways. Not just straight up but curving around and twisting.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch at here at this restaurant...some pan sauteed yellowfin tuna and seafood enchilads. Beautiful view dont you think....

Notice how the mangrove are right in the ocean. This is actually the Gulf of Mexico. It is funny when you are driving down the "Keys" that the Atlantic is on one side and the Gulf of Mexico is on the other. With sometimes as little as 200 feet in between them. The road has only two lanes for most of the way....

The evening was quite for us. We went for a quick dinner and then we took in a flic. We watched Charlie Wilsons War, and found it cute and light hearted. Which is what the doctored ordered...

That night, back at the ranch (lol) there were a million fire works all around us and tons of Spanish music playing in the neighborhood. (I think this is all just to get me ready for Mexico, lol)

All in all, a great day. Sunshine, beautiful places, great company, and some entertainment...

So, HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE...All the best to you all

Shannon and Daniel