Where does the time go? Our two weeks at Sunshine Key RV Resort are over today, and tomorrow we will be leaving the Florida Keys. Even though we didn’t get to do some of the things we had looked forward to, like kayaking or doing some fishing, it has still been one of the most relaxing and enjoyable times we’ve had in as long as I can remember.
We have done some sightseeing, eaten lots of wonderful seafood, enjoyed walking along the shore soaking up all of that wonderful sea air, and drinking in the marvelous views of palm trees, water, and sand. I don’t think either one of us have felt as rested as we do right now for a very long time.
And please don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s been nice not having to share our time with anyone else. We love our RVing friends and our many readers, and we always look forward to visiting with them. Usually wherever we go we run into folks we know, and it’s always fun. But for two weeks now it’s been just us, and that’s nice too. Very nice! Kind of like a second honeymoon.
We’ve also learned, or maybe reaffirmed, some things about ourselves. We have always said that when and if we ever hang up the keys, we would settle down somewhere around water. We both spent way too many years living in the desert, and our souls just seem to be so much more at rest by the seaside. When that day comes, if it ever does, it won’t be here in the Florida Keys.
While it’s beautiful, it’s too expensive and too busy for us. That laid-back island lifestyle Jimmy Buffett writes about isn’t real. At least not here. Reality here is lots of traffic, lots of mainlanders rushing back and forth trying to squeeze everything they can into the weekend they have available, and way too many of them bring their city attitude with them. We have said before that our favorite place is up around Titusville area, and just having come here from there has reaffirmed that in both our minds. So I guess it’s like the old saying, this is a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here.
Although I said it’s been nice having all this time to ourselves, we did have visitors yesterday. Our good friends Tom Owens and Diane Rojewski rode their Goldwing motorcycle up from their houseboat in Key West and we had a wonderful time visiting with them. After talking for a couple of hours, we went out to dinner at China Garden, a very nice Chinese restaurant we discovered on Big Pine Key. Good food and a couple more hours of good conversation followed. Tom and Diane are two of our favorite people and we always have a wonderful time when we get together with them.
Today we plan to run over to Marathon Key for a while and just enjoy the time we have left here. Like I said, it’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here. But we’re darned sure looking forward to coming back again! 
Thought For The Day – In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
If you ever did take up residence in the Keys, you WOULD see what is meant by “Keys Time.” Just try to get any service work done, like a plumber, electrician, or AC service people. Maybe next Tuesday at high prices.
Great Blog once again, it is so nice to hear that you and Terry are taking time just for you, Word of warning, never say you won’t retire in the the key’s. Many years ago while Mike’s mom was still with us we told her that there was no way in hell that we would ever settled down permanently anywhere in TX. Then one day we came across the small town of Hondo and a SKP co-op park, we for some reason that we cannot explain totally fell in love with this small town and the folks at the park. We were awarded a our site three years ago, true for the most part we are only here in the winter for now, but it is a place we will love when we hang up our keys down the road. I am sure we hear Mike’s mom every now and then laughing at us and our comment many years ago. So never say never who knows
We all need some alone time, but not everyone will admit it. You guys are smart enough to do so.
Be sure to wash your car and RV good once you get back on the main land Nick. It is amazing how much salt is in the air there, and it will do a real job on you if you’re not careful.