Parting Ways

Chuck was a great travel partner.  Lots of memories were made.  I hope to have another adventure soon.

Guess What?

Rain... Again...

Relentless rain seems to like us.

Homeward Bound

This is definitely not the Keys anymore.

It Had to Happen

I could not leave the keys without some Key Lime Pie.  This type is not my favorite as I am meringue topping guy, but it'll do in a pinch.

Blessed Clouds

It has been one of the best 2 weeks of clouds ever.

Lunch... No

Gotta keep moving.

SQUIRIL!

It's everywhere.

Bahia Honda

Trying to get home.... Squiril!

It's A Big World... Get Out There!

Beware, the more you travel, the more you want to travel.

Lock Jaw

I feel like I need a tetanus shot, just lookinh at this place.

Old Fav

I've been staying for longer that I can remember.  It's always clean n always nice.  Put the Blue Marlin Motel on your list if you are in Key West.

Accidental Art

'Not sure what this is, or when I took it but I think I could sell it.

Bird Man

I think we have the next bird wisperer in the making.

She Shall Be Mine...

I just discovered the fact that these exsited on the way down.  Then I meet this guy, Glen, who had one at Fort Jefferson.  This is one sweet lens.

O Fort

This place just never gets old, no matter how many times I go.

Wild?life?

I actually had a bird land on my back just to hang out.  So many birding oportunities.

Back On The Grid

What a trip.  Beautiful weather and a short stay left very little time for sleep at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.   A shower and a soft bed will be a welcome sight.

Sea Sick Bands 4 Chuck

He's gonna need em.

I'm On A Boat....

This is going to be awesome.  There are some gnarly clouds in the distance.  Very excited.

Oh Deer!

These guys are always a treat to see.  This is one of the bigger bucks at aboit 30 inches.

Pigeon Key

I shall visit this place some day.  I remember being amazed by this place as a kid.  Seeing a ramp off a bridge to an island always interested me.

Peroxide' Triple Antibiotic n Band Aids

The price we pay for a good pic.  By the way coral is as sharp as they say it is.

Keys

Not sure why I love this place so much but this could be one reason.

'Not a City Guy But...

This sure is a pretty one from a distance.  On the way back from the lighthouse and stopped to capture sunset over the city.

Biscayne Light

I love visiting a new lighthouse.   This is my first time here.  They have done a very nice job preserving it.

Uncle Harry's Fruit

Chuck's uncle Harry has 13 types of fruit trees in his yard.  Pretty cool.  I get to try star fruit tonight for the first time.

Dry Out & Reorganize

Prepping for the next stage of our trip.  We will be rolling out super early to try for a sunrise in the keys.

Rain is the Price We Pay

Riding to our destination in the rain.  Made for a nice sunset at the park though.

Curtis'll Hate Me...

Happened upon Everglades Holiday Park, home of the Gator Boys.  Ashley was very cool.  Neat place.  I'll have to bring my boys here on the next trip.

Sugar

Traveling through the heart of Florida today.  It is intersting to see the sugar cane farms and the wide open spaces.

My New Favorite Hat

Even my shoulder are safe from the sun with this bad boy.

Good Morning

After a good night's rest, I wake refreshed and ready for the second half of the trip.   We have covered many miles and have seen many beautiful places.  We have had good discussions about goals and our art.  I am excited to visit the galleries in Key West and look forward to the discussions that will be provoked by the experience.  This trip, from it's inception was intended to be as much about "thinking" and open discussion as it is about finding good photographs.  It is an immersion, without the distractions of everyday life that I hope will give me clarity.  I love what I do on the portrait and commercial side but from the very beginning of my photography journy new I wanted to do gallery work.  I hope get a little closer to that goal after this trip.

As is always the case I start missing home after the first week.  I am thankful to have a supportive wife and family and a stong network of friends and supporters.  Without these things this trip would not be feasable.  Since we have left, both Chuck and I have had tragic news from home.  It is very hard not to be home in these times and I appreciate the tolerance of our loved ones for allowing us to carry on. 

The next couple of days are mystery days as our next scheduled stop is at the Blue Marlin in Key West, Wednesday night.  Both Chuck and I aggreed that for this to be and adventure, we had to have some unplanned time.  Stayed tuned to see where we end up.

Sunset Awards, Check!

Today we drove up to Sarasota to meet the wonderful folks at Lexjet and Chuck and I had the privilege to help judge the Lexjet Sunset Awards.  There were some amazing images and a fantastic team to work with. Congrats to the winners.  Now I am off to a great night's sleep in a real bed.

The Little Things

The importance of this should not be underestimated. ..

Culture Shock

I was not prepared for luxury.  After 7 days of roughing it this is insanely nice.  A much needed shower is in my near future.