I've been wanting to do another posting, but I'm not sure what it would be about. So here's another Everything and Nothing entry about what I've been up to.
First of all, instead of always turning left on US-1, I've been going north more often and exploring the Lower Keys, spending more time in Summerland and Big Pine. I've walked more trails in the Key Deer Refuge (the two in Big Pine, as well as some unmarked ones around No Name), and explored previously-unexplored (to me) keys, such as No Name Key and the Torches. While walking through power-gridless No Name, I wondered if I crossed the same paths as Gerry Patrick Henning training his Interpen anti-Castro teams. I learned that Big Torch uses cisterns, and has no FKAA tapwater. It is nonetheless jaw-droppingly gorgeous. And not only does Google Maps not know about No Name Key (go ahead, try it), but Big Torch Key contains an entire city on GPS and maps, that was apparently never built, near the end of Dorn Road.
Above: Google and GPS show this...
... but this is what's actually there.
My best guess (warning: pure conjecture) is that the development was planned, but preservation efforts headed things off at the last minute, because buying and building sure doesn't seem to be an option up there now (most of that land is titled to the preservation departments in Tallahassee).
I also grew fond of China Garden restaurant in Big Pine, as well as 2 For $20 Pizza and Tropical Freeze. The best gas prices are in Summerland too. There are at least five more trailheads I still need to explore. I still get a bit nervous when I find myself face-to-face with a key deer or a snake on the trails.
Then, the pleasant (mid-high 70s) weather demanded that I immediately cease working indoors. I worked at Fort Zack once and really liked it. But I ended up furnishing the seawall, with furniture from (where else?) Pipe Dreams in Big Pine, Tiki torches and charcoal grill from Home Depot in Key West:
The breeze makes paperweights a necessity, and fortunately glass bottles make the best paperweights. Here's another shot of the new outdoor office where I am often found writing extended treatises about how everyone needs to work hard in today's uncertain economy:
Lately, the cool breezy weather has made everyone high. Not like drugs or alcohol, just the airheadedness that humans acquire with agreeable weather. It leads to more traffic accidents and near-misses because people's minds drift endlessly.
Those who write endlessly (especially in light of the passing of Captain Tony, rest his soul) about how "cool" Key West once was, forgive me, but you entirely miss the point. Whatever coolness you desire, starts with how people treat each other today; It is something we choose. And frankly, every day I meet enough people who are acutely aware of this and continue to make the right choice, to reassure me that the good days are still here if you really want them. But what do I know, I didn't get here until 2008.
That's all I have for today. Good luck Barack, you'll need it.
-Chris
[ Update 3 hours later ]
The grill works.