On a Palshicruise

(Pictures to come when we are on land-based internet!) Chickens are everywhere on the island of Key West. We were dropped off by a very busy and touristy spot near Mallory Square. From there we passed up a variety of guided motor tours and “Hop-on / Hop-off” buses to walk down Whitehead street, toward the self-proclaimed southernmost point in the continental United States. (To my eyes, the nearby Air Force base, with its sensitive ‘weather equipment’ was further south, and I still scratch my head about this island being part of the ‘continental’ United States, but that is the way it is.) The chickens were going about their little fowl lives, and quite ignoring the tourists, except when they needed to proclaim ownership of their territory with a lively crow. While we were getting tired, thirsty and bit grumpy from the short walk in 90% humidity and weather that Oregon reserves for summer, Key West did provide us some rooster entertainment. While passing the county courthouse, o...

After today, everything will be better. The day started bright and early (Sarah and Kat insist it was too early) and the first hours of the morning were quiet. Dad and I enjoyed an amazing swim with the swimsuits that we'd packed. When we returned home, we made sure those swimsuits went into the dryer, to dry of so that we could pack them later. Then came time to awaken any sleeping Sarahs to get up for the day.             Once everyone was awake, and someone, like Dad, had done their repacking, we loaded everything we could think of into the car. We had a carry-on for each member of the family and then some. We then happily drove to Clackamas Town Center, to park the car and catch the Green Line MAX Train to Gateway Transit Center. While in the white walled, Primary Color-Plated carriage, we came upon an epiphany. We had left the check bag in the living room. (Cue the dramatic music!) The check bag that had all of our Snorkel Masks, the...