The Weather Is Here, I Wish You Were Beautiful

[randlemanboater]

So here we are in Homestead, Fl.....the sun is shining and its 70 degrees.

Going to tour the "Coral Castle", then off to the Keys.

Pics to follow.

[captpete13]

70 degrees.....Geez, its going to be close to 50 here today. I'm going to take advantage of it by trying some surf fishing. By Tuesday its supposed to be a high of 27.:cry:I am jealous of those Florida winters.

[willy]

Have a safe trip brother

[lumberslinger178]

I cant believe you forgot me....

[THEFERMANATOR]

Not all of FLORIDA is nice today, it's 50 and raining at my house right now.

[macojoe]

Its better thenn here thats for sure!! It was in the 40's today with clouds and rain!
Good news is that it is me;ting the 20" of snow real fast!!

Have a great time!

[RWilson2526]

man that dude that built the coral castle was a kook

[randlemanboater]

Sorry for the delay, my computer went bonkers on me during the trip.

The weather was nearly perfect the whole time we were there, I think the coldest it got at night was 58 and it was in the 70's and sunny every day but New Years Eve when it was 83 with scattered showers.

It was quite a shock to come home to a high of 30 yesterday and it is 15 now!!!! Guess I can put away the shorts for a while.


Here we are at the Coral Castle, it was a very interesting place, do a search on it and check it out when you have time.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0090.jpg

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Our first night in the Keys we stayed at John Pennekamp State Park. Here's my beautiful and loving wife relaxing in paradise.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0118-1.jpg

The kids took a swim, the water was around 70 degrees, which is chilly for swimming but kids are imune to it.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0117.jpg


The next morning we drove down to Key West, it was probably the coolest day with highs right around 70, and breezy. This is the southern most point in the Continental US. We also saw the southern most restaurant, gift shop, hotel, tattoo shop.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0121.jpg


They have a real nice beach along A1A in Key West.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0127.jpg


The next two nights we stayed at Long Key State Park. All of the campsites are ocean front there. Here is our spot.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0147.jpg


The CEO and my middle girl (Summer) walked out about 1/2 a mile onto the flats, the water only got waist deep on them that far out.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCF4013.jpg


Here's Gracie with some of the neat things she found in and around the water.

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Living it up in paradise.

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The water is clear, I am in knee deep water here.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0205.jpg


Right next to the SP was a bridge that was 2.5 miles long, beside the bridge is the old bridge that has been made into a fishing pier. Joey and I caught 21 of these "grunts" about a mile out on the bridge. Most were a little bigger than this one but nothing major, but it was a blast to catch fish with my boy in the Keys.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0161.jpg

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Here's the sunset from out campsite on Long Key.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0165.jpg


The next two nights were back at Pennekamp SP. On New Years Eve we went out on a 60' catamaran with a glass bottom to see the coral reef. It was amazing.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0211.jpg


Sunset on New Years Eve at World Wide Sportsman/Bass Pro store in Islamorada.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/DSCN0217.jpg


Got up Jan 1 and drove all day, it was sunny and hot in Miami but turned cool and rainy, then just cold in 100 miles.

It took me 43 years to get to the Florida Keys, but it won't be that long til I go back.

[macojoe]

Great shots!! Glad you and yours had a great time!! I will be in the Keys next Sunday Can't wait!!

[lumberslinger178]

congratulation's randle those are some great pics and a beautiful family your are truly a blessed man. as I consider myself as well.

[willy]

Very nice, good memories with your family. You brought back many for me too, thanks

[THEFERMANATOR]

Next time you go make sure and hit BAHIA HONDA. It can be very interesting there and there are 2 good bridges to fish off of right there.

[randlemanboater]

I am blessed, much more than I deserve.

I tried and tried to get in to Bahia Honda but never could find an opening, but I will next time, maybe for spring break?

[dmoore]

Looks like you guys had a great time down there Randleman..........We will be visiting an ole USCG buddy of mine in Marathon in three weeks. We usually head down to Key West every year....my cousin owns the Meteor Smokehouse Restaurant on Southard St, next to the Green Parrot Bar. The best smoked ribs in all of key west hands down! Can't wait to get outta here and where its warm! The fish'in shouldn't be bad either : ) Dave

[garagenc]

Also congrats

Mrs garage and I had our pic taken at the southern most buoy just like you and the family, we only did ours at halloween at fantasy fest.

[randlemanboater]

MJ and Dave, hope it warms back up for yall, I think this arctic air has made it all the way down there.

[nymack66]

Very nice thanks for sharing it with us, the kids will remember this for a lifetime ..

[macojoe]

Looks like you guys had a great time down there Randleman..........We will be visiting an ole USCG buddy of mine in Marathon in three weeks. We usually head down to Key West every year....my cousin owns the Meteor Smokehouse Restaurant on Southard St, next to the Green Parrot Bar. The best smoked ribs in all of key west hands down! Can't wait to get outta here and where its warm! The fish'in shouldn't be bad either : ) Dave
__________________

We see how god a friend he is, I going thwere looking for a free meal with your name!! :nut:

Just kiding, we are only going to be there for a few hours, (8 am to 2 pm) we are going on a cruise, and thats are first stop. But I am suppose to go again in Feb for fishing with a few buds.

[reelapeelin]

Can ya pull the V behind the camper?...that'd add a whole new ball game to the next trip to paradise!!...:sun:

[randlemanboater]

Can ya pull the V behind the camper?...that'd add a whole new ball game to the next trip to paradise!!...:sun:

I haven't done it yet, but I don't see why I couldn't. As long as I find a ramp with plenty of maneuvering room, it should be fine.

[THEFERMANATOR]

I haven't done it yet, but I don't see why I couldn't. As long as I find a ramp with plenty of maneuvering room, it should be fine.

KNIGHTS KEY/MARATHON has a real nice RV park with a marina basin right on US1 just before the 7 mile bridge. I believe they have a tractor for launching your boat for you as well since they cater to RVers with boats.

[Pipe_Dream]

I wanna go back to the island...

It's been way too long since I last visited the Keys. Maybe 2010 will see me there again.

Great pics, randleman - thanks for sharing!

[randlemanboater]

Ferm,

I saw several RV parks w/ boat ramp/marina facilities. John Pennekamp SP had a public ramp too.

PD,

We spent Friday night in your neck of the woods, the rest area next to Lake Marion.

[reelapeelin]

Ferm,

I saw several RV parks w/ boat ramp/marina facilities. John Pennekamp SP had a public ramp too.

PD,

We spent Friday night in your neck of the woods, the rest area next to Lake Marion.


If yer ever lookin' for a place to go, but not quite as far as the keys, Google up Cape San Blas...:love:

[RABBITFISH]

THOSE ARE SURE SOME NICE PICTURES!

Got any more for the rest of us deskbound travelers?

We have to live through your pictures!!!
:clap::clap::clap:

[dmoore]

We see how god a friend he is, I going thwere looking for a free meal with your name!! :nut:

Just kiding, we are only going to be there for a few hours, (8 am to 2 pm) we are going on a cruise, and thats are first stop. But I am suppose to go again in Feb for fishing with a few buds.

Just walk in there like you own the place and tell em..."I'm here for the all you can eat ribs & wings"! Ha! Ha!