Sunshine!!  Finally got to do some exploring on the scooter today.  My campground is about 9 miles from Marco Island itself, but it was a nice drive in.  It's very crowded on the Island, and very upscale.  It's certainly very different from Sugarloaf Key, which isn't grand at all.  Sugarloaf is pretty rural, and seems to house mostly working class people.  But much of what I saw of Marco Island is certainly grand.  The canals are just beautiful.  And most of what I saw is thoroughly manicured.  Many enormous hotels along the beach.  As far as I could tell, there is just one public beach. But therre are marinas galore and many, many beautiful boats.  Here are some pictures for you:

Well, I was up early and all set to take a bunch of pictures around Marco Island for you.  But it was pouring overnight and hasn't given up as of nearly 2 pm.  So, I am waiting out the downpour and, now no longer believing that things will improve today, hopeful that tomorrow will be better, which the forecast does say it will be.  I have only today and tomorrow in this location, so this is a very frustrating setback for me.  Am positivewly dying to get out and about on the scooter ....

On the other hand, I am using the dark and dreary time off to watch creepy films on Netflix.  They have made me more than ready for a nap -- with my door safely locked.

Sorry for no pics; more as I can.

Miami / Kendall Florida

Have been in Miami / Kendall Fl the past two days.  Met up with various faculty and led a graduate seminar on marriage equality, thanks to the kind invitation of my dear colleague in feminist philosophy, Professor Laurie Shrage of the Philosophy Department there. Great students!

A HUMONGOUS campus!!  I'd been there back in 1996 to give a talk; but this time was treated to a very nice tour of the campus by old friend Professor Bruce Hauptli, also of the Philosophy Department. Impressive place; very fine people.  Here are some pictures.

Laurie Shrage

Bruce Hauptli

The atrium of the building housing Philosophy is hung with these incredible air plants.  It's all pretty new, so the plants haven't yet grown much.  It will be even more amazing when they do.

Left Miami/Kendall this am and had a wonderful drive through the Everglades.  No pics, since it rained much of the way.  Am now on Marco Island, outside Naples, in a very crowded but very friendly KOA campground.  Plan for tomorrow is to scooter around the island and see what I can see.  

Hope you are all staying warm . . .

Sugarloaf Key

Have been tooling around Sugarloaf Key today.  Great fun!  Here are some brown pelicans for you.

January 2014

Well, I wasn't going to blog this trip, but have been lovingly persuaded to do so.  Not because my posts are riveting.  Rather because everyone I know and love can't get enough of photographs.

A little background.  I left home over a week ago to make my way, slowly but surely, back down to Florida after a 2-year hiatus.  I take "slowly" very seriously, since after 3.5 hours or so of driving I go crazy....

My route:  Anderson County KY -- Sweetwater TN; on to High Falls State Park, Jackson GA -- frrom there to O'Lena State Park in High Springs Fl.

West, then, over to Homosassa Fl to visit Homosassa Wildlife State Park.  I went there to hang out with the manitees.  But there is much more, too, as the pictures below will suggest.

On from there to Miami Everglades Campground, where I have been before (they have a wonderful laundry facilty), and is a great kick-off location for the Keys.

I am now on Sugarloaf Key, just next to Key West, at my major destination this trip:  Sugarloaf Women's Village, an amazing all-women place with a fascinating "herstory."  I have wanted to come here for a long while, and I am glad I did.  There are some pictures below, and you can see/read more online at 

http://www.sugarloafwomensvillage.com/Welcome.html

From here, I head back to Miami to lead a graduate seminar at Florida International University.  Then, I'll make my way up through the Everglades to Naples and then on to North Ft. Meyers, where I'll meet up with Jennifer for the better part of a week with frinds Mead, Janet, and Patty.

After that, it's back on the road and up into the Great White North.  When I got online this am, my weather watcher said it was minus 7 at home. 

Be still, my heart. 

Heavens bless Jennifer -- she gets out there working for those horses and chickens, and still walks those 4 spoiled dogs 3 miles a day.  Gives me a headache just thinking about it ....

More pictures as I have them.

xxoo