Held hostage by the wicked north wind I am. Kayaking is a bad idea, but I paddled around a cruise ship the last day here anyhow!  The havoc of this winter weather must’ve set records all over the country. Yesterday (Jan. 9th) it was summer here in Key West, but today the north wind has snatched the warmth of the sun away and temps are plunging towards 40 degrees. I know I’m not getting any sympathy from anyone north of here because it’s colder there. My reply to any complainers:  No snow, here, but the locals are suffering.  They call it paradise (at least on warmer days) and they’re right. Why is Key West working so well for me? Like Ocean City, it’s small enough to walk or ride a bike everywhere, so the whole place is my back yard It has European cosmopolitan vibes, but not up-turned-nose sophisticated. There are true five star hotels (one is my comfort station) and great food, which is required.  My di... » Click here for the full story.

       The first night in Rodeo Capri camper and I slept well. I’m already sure it’ll fill my needs, because all I asked was to have an enclosure to sleep in that would keep the rain and other weather outside, have all the conveniences of the tent, so I’d be amidst the natural world, be a place where I could put my stuff where it would stay til I was done meandering, and I wouldn’t have to set up and tear down at each place I went. That’s the real downside of tent camping and in a tent is real camping, not in an RV.  I would learn how to use and operate the stove, refrigerator, water system, and shower.  The kitchen is on the driver’s side (single sink, two burner propane gas stove and propane or electric powered small refrigerator that keeps ice cream hard and ACBs cold). I’ve installed a work station made from an old fish trap and onion crate on the other side where I use my computer powered by a sola... » Click here for the full story.