Winter Visits to Warmer Places

Winter in New England can wear on one. Each of us develops our own way to cope with it. Some folks even enjoy it. For me, periodic escape to somewhere warm and sunny is the answer. Being a pilot, and fortunate enough to own an aircraft, that periodic escape combines a love for flying my Cessna Cardinal RG with the opportunity to thaw my bones, albeit only briefly. The return home is often to colder weather than when I left.

This winter I embarked on a couple of journeys south to Florida. The first, in early November, was to the panhandle and a visit with a friend and former northerner on Okaloosa Island. The second, in early February, was to South Beach and the Florida Keys for fun, food and relaxation. Marathon made a good base in the Keys, being about mid way between the upper end and Key West. Fortunately, the weather was excellent during both journeys and did a lot to relieve winter stress. Everywhere I ventured though, visible signs of past severe hurricane seasons was evident. In addition to physical damage the landscape still appears weathered and worn.


This is the weather that makes me want to leave home for warmer climes in the winter!


Wheels up (or at least going up) on my latest excursion to warmth and sunshine.


Example of hurricane damage on Santa Rosa Island. This house wasn't always in the water. Others, even away form the shore, were more severly damaged.


These fish on the Okalossa Island beach were fun to watch. There were litterally thousands of them and they were continually leaping from the water. I believe they are mullet and, if you look closely, hundreds can be seen in the crest of the nearest swell.


A closer view


Decided to make a flight with friends to Cedar Key during my stay on Okaloosa. This interesting view is of the coastal salt marshes in the "Big Bend" area.



Enjoying a Cedar Key lunch with friends on a restaurant patio. Had the best crab claws at this restaurant. They were Jonah crab, similar in appearance to Stone Crab but tastier in my opinion and prepared/served warm with drawn butter instead of cold. Perfect!


The sun setting over the coastal salt marshes on the return to Okaloosa Island.


This fellow decided to provide companionship on Marathon Key's Sombrero Beach.


This clear water is seen looking west from the old Seven Mile Bridge at Pidgeon Key. Notice the skin divers in the upper left corner.


This a closer view showing the skin divers.


A view of Pidgeon Key from the old Seven Mile Bridge. Notice the weathered look from last seasons hurricanes.


Pelican searching for food near a Key West beach.


Seagulls are becomming agressive about approaching people to grab food. They are frequently annoying. This fellow, on a Key West beach, is promoting that behavior by encouraging the birds to pursue food from humans.


An attractive vessel in the bay near Mallory Square in Key West.


A lot of ultralight aircraft on floats can be seen flying around Florida and the Keys. Jumping between bays, lakes and lagoons with one of these is a great way to enjoy a day.


While we have this activity seasonally in New England, Key West allows enjoyment year round.


The Key West home of Ernest Hemingway.


Key West Lighthouse and Museum.


Key West is known for its sunsets. Viewed from Mallory Square.








Vacations end, so here we are departing from Marathon airport's runway 7 for return to Connecticut.


Part of Marathon seen on climb out from the airport.


The Overseas Highway as seen from above.


Underwater channels and shallows are clearly visible.


This area is evidently a favorite anchoring spot for boaters. The shallow area allows walking from boat to boat as well as swimming. Notice the ultralight aircraft has landed to enjoy the activity.


That really is water below although you can sea clear to the bottom (pun intended).


Not sure which key, but this is probably Islamorada.