Saturday Morning Again!

It has been a good week for me because the problem tooth in my lower jaw is finally gone and the healing is progressing wonderfully.  All thanks to a wonderful Oral Surgeon in Key West, Dr. Ira Stone.  This infected tooth and the subsequent swelling has been a real preoccupation for a while and Latona has been very supportive through this painful process.

We want to share pictures of a wonderful place here in the campground.  We have our own trail to hike and enjoy everyday without even getting into the van.  The Nature Trail is a mile and a half loop trail that was created by Glenn Evans in 1976.  He continues to maintain this trail and is a camper here at Big Pine Key.  We have adopted the trail, and in a small way, help by picking up trash that either blows in or washes up in the storms.  Walking the trail almost everyday, we have learned many of the native trees, seen Black snakes, tortoises and the Land Hermit Crab. Yesterday, we saw a Bobcat walking into the woods around the trail.

One of the most unique trees here is the 

Gumbo Limbo and is nicknamed the tourist tree because it is always red and peeling.

Gumbo Limbo

Sea Grape

Gray Salt Bush

Porterweed - a favorite of the butterflies

Here a lone Mangrove is anchored along the shore visible from the Nature Trail.  These are perhaps the most numerous of the trees here and populate much of the shoreline along the Keys.

A piece of Nature's art.

Seven-Year Apple

Pencil Plant

Although these flowers grow in Texas, and the picture taken there, we felt it an appropriate one to use to send our Happy Valentine wishes to each one who may read this blog.  We are so grateful for the blessings of the sunshine, the warm places to exercise and walk, and all the fun we are having since we  joined many other "kids" our age out playing!  BUT we miss our children and grandchildren, and many friends as well and do look forward to seeing them/you all again and being able to share hugs.  We are grateful for all the love and blessings we have been given and thank God each day as we awake to a      new morning filled with grace and promise.