Birds of a Feather...You know the rest!

This week has been one of the busiest since we have been here at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge Campground. In addition to our regular schedule, we had a feast with friends sharing fresh fish (Grunts and Amberjack), taken sailing by another camper friend from Pennsylvania, and enjoyed several programs here at the Rec Center.  I'm including a few bird pictures that are always part of the story.

Great White Heron

Key West Fowl

You can find information about these birds on Wikipedia, and read about the great debate about what to do with these feral fowl.  Apparently, they arrived from Cuba along time ago with refugees and currently are the center of a local debate about what to do about their increasing numbers.  They are a beautiful bird.

Two Brown Pelican visited above the fish cleaning shack near our site.

Jim and Sweet Pea

After the sail

Our friend Jim, and wife Jo, took us sailing on a beautiful day here in the Keys.  His boat, named the Sweet Pea,  moved so easily through the water giving us a peaceful experience.  It was my first time sailing and I was amazed at the feel of the boat in the ocean and the quiet way she navigated.  Captain Jim made us feel welcome and confident.

A TRIP TO AFRICA: The Rec Center is the site of most community-wide activities.  This week we had a presentation of slides by our friends Stan and Alida who spent three months in southern Africa this past year.  As one person said it was like watching a National Geographic Special.

THE BIG 'O' PARTY: We also enjoyed another program this week titled the Big "O" party.  This was the first time we joined in, and I am so glad I didn't miss this celebration.  Joan, the owner of the BPKFL wrote a skit that included roles for all the people who will go from one decade to another this year.  There are thirty people here that fit the category including one who turns 40, many 60, and 70, and impressively, four that turn 80 and two that turn 90.  The program also included music and a presentation of cards and a bottle of champagne to each celebrant.  It was a unique and wonderful time as people were celebrated as they progressed through the stages of aging,  many of whom have shared these decades together.  

Finally, a glimpse of Latona and I at Senior Exercises.  We have enjoyed having a certified senior trainer here for four weeks and we try never to miss this occasion.  Our leader's name is Leon and he always calls us his "athletes".  As you can see it is fun as well as a good work out.

We are grateful to be in this wonderful community of people who try to celebrate the good things in the world around them, as well as each other.  We celebrate with them, with gratitude for all that we have been given.
Love, hugs and happy trails...