A Ton of Bricks: The End of Vacation

The end of a vacation is not subtle and hits you like a ton of bricks.For me it came at 3:21 this morning when the sound of an alarm clock woke me from a deep sleep.

For a week there was no alarm clock, no long pants, no shoes and no work but it’s over with nice memories and a spring tan all that remains.  We spent a week in Florida with our good friends Joe & Darlene Gomulka which started with four full days in Fort Myers and ended with a couple of wonderful days and nights in Key West which allowed me to cross one off the “bucket list.”

All in all it was a wonderful vacation thanks to good company and great weather. 7 sunny days with temperatures in the low to mid 80s and cool breezes off the Gulf.  Fort Myers Beach was wonderful but it was the brief time spent in Key West that really stood out.  Duvall Street there is like Bourbon Street in New Orleans or the strip in Las Vegas. Calling it colorful would be a gross understatement.

We made it to many of the legendary bars including Sloppy Joe’s, The Green Parrot, The Rum Bar and of course Irish Kevin’s (how could I not stop there?).  I was also intrigued by a place called Willie T’s where many customers (including us) staple dollar bills with messages on them all over the place.  Our waitress said that the owners estimate there are some 80,000 dollar bills displayed somewhere in the mostly outdoor bar and restaurant which lets you know the first task if a hurricane is in the forecast.

All in all it was a wonderful trip which allowed me to read two books: John Grisham’s “The Rogue Lawyer” and another one of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels. Don’t ask me which one because I forget the names.  It’s back to reality and lousy weather today.