Florida 2023 - February 20 Adventure Day

I woke up, ran my mile, and had a small breakfast.  (Eggs and toast.)

Then I headed out on my adventure. 

Stop 1 was the Cypress Dome Trail, which is the furthest north of the stops I'd make.  I expected to like this one a lot.  I wound up doing a quick loop and heading on.  The paths are well kept and well marked, but the footing is super sandy and lousy.  It wasn't my thing.

 

Stop 2 - was easily my favorite of all the CREW trails, but also my biggest screw up of the trip as of this writing. Flint Pen Stand Trails are also well marked.  When I stay on them.  Sigh.  I meant to take the orange loop for a nice 2.9 mile walk.  Instead, I walked 8.5 miles.  Around mile 3, I thought I was getting close.  Around mile 4 I knew I had a problem.  

 It really was an amazing place. I saw all kinds of birds, some enormous (and far far away gators), and a snake skin.  Mercifully, I did not see the real thing. It was a little scary getting lost, or more like, I wasn't freaked out 'till I realized I was lost.  Once I got my wits about me, I was able to find my way back. That's when I stopped plodding along, and really did an exercise walking speed. I did have water and a little food with me, and it was all gone by the time I made it back to the car. Luckily, the only thing I had to show for it was a bit of a sunburn on my neck.  It could've been a lot worse.

Florida 2023 - February 19

 Sunday - I had the house to myself again.  I was good with it. I got a lot of drawing done.

 

I actually waited 'till evening to get my run in as the sun was going down.  Can confirm, it was the right decision.  Can anyone identify this bird? 

Florida 2023 - February 18

I woke up early and took Dungeon Master to the car rental place.  She's headed to a different part of the state to see friends this weekend.

When I got home I ran my mile.

And then, I loafed.  And it was wonderful. Apparently I loaf differently when I'm alone compared to with other people.  At the end of the day I did get a couple tasks done including dishes.  I also changed a lightbulb.  These ceilings down here are no joke.  Maybe nine feet? I needed a real ladder to do it.  I almost called Dungeon Master for a safety check to let her know I'd be going up for a minute.  That ladder was a bit wobbly. 

In the evening, I took a walk and listened to a podcast.  I'm enjoying Levar Burton Reads and I find the stories he picks fascinating. The only issue I'm having is the sound effects are a little too good, so I often think someones coming up behind me or an alarm is going off or...  This may be better listened to in the gym vs outside while on transparency mode.

Florida 2023 - February 17

 Happy Friday to me. 

I recently rediscovered this great video so that's what I did as my warm up before I went out to run. 

Work today, I had my first annual review.  It went okay I thought.  The percent of the 'merit raise' was lower than what I'd expected, compared to past employers where I'd gotten similar ratings.  I think there's a lot going on right now at a higher level in the company than I could ever touch so I'm moving on and enjoying the job. 

In the evening, Dungeon Master and I went out and had milk shakes.  The new guy made our shakes and his technique is not perfected yet.  Strawberry with a hit of mootella was an excellent choice.

Florida 2023 - Febraury 16

Gym day is becoming one of my favorite days of the week. 

I woke up and ran my mile outside where I'm staying. 

In the afternoon I went over to the Y and did all the exercises.  It's been a while since I did all the exercises from this video

I also learned that I can do the mobility drills, and lift weights.  Or mobility drills and rowing machine. But I shouldn't have done the rowing machine before the weights. 

Florida 2023 - February 15

 After the trauma of a new phone yesterday, Wednesday was a chill day.

I went for one of my longer runs of the week, and that was nice. 

I'm behind on my blogs, and my photo uploads, so I'm not sure what else happened.  Sigh.

Florida 2023 - February 14

After I wrote my post for Feb 13, I crunched my phone in a reclining chair at my aunts house.  So Valentines Day started with a new iPhone.  I got the 13mini, because that was the smallest newest phone I could find.  

Instead of staying in the apple store, which was busy, I browsed Barnes N Noble while my phones did their data transfer thing.  BNN is having a fire sale at this location because they're moving to a different place in the same mall?  I'm unclear.  I wound up with a Python for Kids book. 

I also learned that the 12 mini case does not fit the 13 mini because the camera lenses are different.  So I went on Amazon and got a new case and also a privacy screen protector for obvious reasons. 

Now, hilariously, all my photos are trying to upload to Flickr.  Again.  So I may not be posting photos for a while.

Florida 2023 - February 13

 I woke up late today.  Because it's Monday and I can.

First place I hit was a running stop.  I did the trifecta of Cullums Trail Park, Bonita Nature Place, and Pine Lake Preserve.  I knew Pine Lake had the longest trail system.  Sadly, it was also the least runner friendly.  You know the sloppy sand at the top of the beach?  Yeah, lots of that. 

I wasn't in the Nature Place very long, due to poor navigation?  Or it just wasn't that big. But the time I got to Cullums, I was done with the run and walked back to my car.

Second adventure of the day was the CREW Rookery outside Naples.  That was such a pleasant surprise.  The greatest bird watching is actually in the parking lot.  Like, I want to go back with a chair and binoculars. 

I walked about a mile in.  This trail was the most runner friendly, but I wouldn't run it.  Too many humans with telephoto cameras, it just doesn't have that exercise vibe. 

I saw lots of wild life.  Including, yes, gators.  They were all in the water and not interested in me.  To my surprise I did not see any snakes.  In either place.  And that was really fine with me. 

On my way out I got a call from the neighbor/care taker. 

Next up, I headed over to Barefoot Beach Preserve because I was getting very mixed signals about its status.  Actual status: closed.  I didn't even turn off the main road.  Instead, I googled "seafood shack"...

I wound up at a place called Dougs seafood.  The sign for the restaurant literally says "fried seafood".  My kind of place.  I had whole belly clams.  I liked them slightly better than the strips.  But it was 2pm and I'd barely eaten, so my car bumper may have tasted good too at that point. 

And to end the day, I got home and found the mail box damage.  That's what the call from the neighbor was about.  The recycling guy got the mailbox along with the rest of our recycling cart somehow?  Apparently they'll replace it.  I called my aunt and my cousin in shame.  "Did I set the recycling too close to the mail box?  Did I do something wrong?"  I was reassured there's no way this could've been my fault, which I really appreciated hearing.

Florida 2023 - February 12

 I slept in y'all.  Late.

I made breakfast at like, lunch time. Which was fine. 

In the late afternoon I tried to run.  I did make my mile.  I then had an emergency pit stop that ended my run. Sigh.  I made plans for tomorrow instead.

I did go to Costco.  I got there around 5:30p. It closes at 6p.  I got five dozen eggs.  I should've got more bacon.   Sigh.  When I got home I did clean up my car a bit. That was satisfying. 

Dungeon Master and I sort of watching and sort of ignoring the super bowl.  Both of us really wanted to enjoy the half time show more than we did.

Florida 2023 - February 11

Run: I woke up late and still ran.  That was mostly good but also kind of a mistake because it was hot.  HOT. 

Dungeon Master and I had a bit of an adventure.  

First we tried a farmer market.  The farmer market was prepared food (tamales and empanadas, salsas) gifts, lots of a recently legalized substance, and one stall with actual produce.  I did get cebollitas, peppers that are hot but not that hot, and pea pods. The produce down here is so good.

Then we went to a place called Wonder Garden.  Dungeon Master was initially amused when I was a grump about sitting in traffic on a Saturday.  But, yo, there's an art festival down the road and a street is closed so this is NOT normal. Wonder Garden was definitely worth the stop.  Lots of rescued parrots and other birds. Some gators. And flamingos.

I was about melting by the time we were done.  We did take a peak at the art show.  For my Minnesota people, imagine the Edina art show but somehow more. I didn't feel like I could afford to even look at the art.  We didn't stay long.

We went back to the shake place.  I swear I paid a different price today. 

And then I stayed inside in the air conditioning as long as humanly possible the rest of the day.

Florida 2023 - February 10

I woke up and ran. I did a booty burner workout before the run.  Because I'm trying to help my knee.

Work had a meeting first thing. And then I had a few phone calls. 

After work, Dungeon Master and I took a walk.

It was two days ago, so I genuinely can't remember what else I did. It couldn't have been too entertaining because I didn't even take pictures.

Florida 2023 - February 9

 I tried this post a couple times.

I'm enjoying it here but the internet provider is leaving something to be desired. The signal just, like, drops.  Every so often.

Anyways.  I woke up and ran my mile.

In the afternoon I went to the gym for a rowing and weights workout. 

Somehow I think I wound up with a shake for supper.  It's bad that milk shakes are so close.

Florida 2023 - February 8

Sleep in: I woke up and then went back to sleep. And then I woke up for work.

Food: I had oatmeal with strawberries, nuts, and chocolate chips for breakfast.  I had chayote salad, gyros, hummus, and pita for lunch.  Both were excellent. In a surprise move, Dungeon Master had supper with me.  I did a veggie stir fry with rice.  I had an egg (or three) on mine but she just had regular.

Work: Work was positive but it absolutely won for the day.  On good days I feel like I'm able to be helpful to the people I serve, which I enjoy immensely. 

Running: I ran 3 loops of the complex.  I had a brief interlude between loops 1 and 2 for a pit stop.  At home.  With plumbing.

Florida 2023 - February 7

Wake up: I was up by 8am local and logged into the computer for work.  I made myself breakfast at some point.

Work: I did the thing. It was a nice day and I think I was able to be helpful to some people.

Adventures in house sitting: First adventure came when workmen showed up.  They assured me they're supposed to be here to work on the roof.  Sounds legit.  Who am I to say no. 

Second adventure was when I asked the neighbor/caretaker if he could look at the dishwasher and make sure that water was running to it. He moved some valves.  Then I ran the dishwasher's rinse cycle and water was running to it.  I know that because all the water stayed in the bottom of the dishwasher.  When I called neighbor back to see if he could continue his problem solving, he suggested I just let it be.  With some divine intervention the sucker did finally drain.  We'll be washing our dishes by hand on this trip. 

 Run: I ran at my lunch time, which is 3pm local, and then I did a few weights. It was the one part of the day when it was super hot, but it felt good. 

After work, Dungeon Master and I ran some errands.

Pivot Tables: I am now a wizard at Pivot Tables in Excel.  That's not true.  I know they exist and am excited to play with them.

Florida 2023 - February 6

Run: I woke up and ran around the island of Key West.  I did an out and back on a road with a sidewalk that runs along the shore.  I watched the sun come up.  It was amazing.  It was also stupid humid so I did this as a run walk. 

I was on my own for site seeing in the morning.  So I hit all the nature places. 

Key West Butterflies: This exhibit was magical, and I say that having experienced the Krohn butterflies several times. One of the things that helped is I got there super early in the day (before 10am) so it was not at all crowded.  The place was really filling up by the time I left.

West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club: this is an outdoor garden that's built into what used to be a fort.  Parking is free.  Admission is free, but donations are requested. This was also a special place.  If Mom had come with me, she really would've enjoyed it. 

Bahia Honda State Park: Was hard on my bucket list and one of the things I was super excited for (along with eating seafood out of a shack). I love that beach.  And the water.  The water is really shallow and has a lot of sea grass and other non-stingy, non-scary things to see.  I swam, I walked along the shore and looked for shells, and then I napped a minute. 

One last shack: We hit the Cracked Conch on Marathon Key.  Totally worth a stop.  I think Dungeon Master was done with my seafood shack needs by then, but this place had a lot of other really nice food so all was well.

And then we drive: I finally just gave up worrying what anyone things and listened to my weird podcasts on this drive home.  In Defense of Plants told me about orchid bees, which are a thing.  No Stupid Questions told me about working on an airplane.  And I think that's all I heard before Dungeon Master got on a conference call.  

We got in before 10pm local time and headed to bed.

Florida 2023 - February 5

 Travel to the keys day.

In a surprise move, I actually used the hotel treadmill.  Because it was raining cats and dogs when I woke up.  There was technically a sidewalk by my hotel, but not really.  It just wasn't worth it. 

Then, we drove.  The ride from the mainland to Key West is just slow.  The speed limit in a lot of places is 45mph, and there's very few opportunities for passing.  Luckily, it's gorgeous.  Dungeon Master was curious how I'd do but the bridges didn't bother me at all.  I'd been over them before so I had an idea in my mind of what to expect.

Ft Zachary Taylor: First stop in Key West was a state park.  Luckily it was culture day so everyone was dressed up in costumes telling us about their life in the civil war.  It was fascinating.  Long story short: Florida did secede from the union, but the Union always held the Florida Keys. 

Southern Most Point: It was very important to Dungeon Master to have a picture next to the buoy.  So we waited in line and did the thing.  I totally missed all the iguanas on the rocks the first time around.

Fried seafood: I was on a mission to basically eat all the fried seafood I could find, and bonus points if it's from a building that looks like a shack.  It was at about this time we discovered that several shacks are closed on Sundays and Mondays.  Boo.  DJs clam shack was open and they did me a solid. 

Shopping: We got some souvenirs, including for the person who's watching my plants, and my most favorite 3 year old.  (Side note here, I really only know one 3 year old well.  Thanks Pooky.) 

Sunset on the beach: We had such a good time we went back to Ft Zachary Taylor state park, sat on the beach, and watched the sun set.  It was amazing.

Hotel drama: Then we checked in to a super expensive hotel, not for amenities but just for existing on Key West.  Okay. So, we walk around to our rooms and the hotel keys don't work.  Dungeon Master walks back to the front desk to get that sorted out. Then we get in the room and there is a millipede just chilling on what would have been my bed.  This sucker was enormous.  It's a first floor room in Florida.  It was one of our preference to ask for another room.  This time the keys did work.  There were no visible bugs.

After that excitement I sat outside in my shorts and talked to Mom and Dad for a while

Florida 2023 - February 4

 Travel day. 

I woke up and ran a couple miles.  Then, Dungeon Master and I hit the road.

Big Cyprus National Preserve: we did a nature loop in the car.  We saw all of the alligators and birds.  And nature.  We did not see snakes.  Which was fine. 

Coral Gables: on the other side of the penninsula, we saw some historical sites.  And had coffee.  And seafood. I was on a seafood adventure.

Then we hit the hotel.  In the rain. 

Florida 2023 - February 3

 Friday was also known as packing day.

I had some packing fails for my upcoming trip; specifically no sports bras for running.  Good thing I packed some running bras for swimming (long story) so I had a back up plan. 

I tried evening running with my flashlight and that was great. 

Florida 2023 - Feb 2

Morning: I did not get up and run.  Because sleeping in sounded better.

Lunch: I did head out to the gym around lunch.  On weights days, I like to run outside, and then head into the gym for a workout.  Outside here there is a county park and a nature preserve on the same road.  So I'm pretty much in heaven.  Also, saw my spirit animals on this run, the gopher tortoise.

The gym down here is not part of my YMCA nationwide network, but they do give me five free visits, and then every visit after that is $5/visit. 

Evening: Dungeon Master and I continue to discover all the ways we are different.  This is like the day I took Olive grocery shopping and she get her nick name. Do you cook at home a lot or go out.  Do you talk to housemates about what you have planned for the day?  That was a fascinating discussion. 

Weather: It's stupid cold in MN.  I'm trying not to rub the weather in anyone's faces.

Florida 2023 - February 2

It's been a minute since I tried to keep up with my blog.

I'm pretty sure this was the day I found my indoor gym and my nature preserve. 

I enjoyed them both.  The nature preserve has gopher tortoises which are my spirit animal on multiple levels.