The View From the Top of My Lemon Tree--Love, GaGa: February 2012

Every year I have gotten better about over committing in November and December. I'm not perfect yet, but I am a lot better at it each year. This year I was so proud that my panic attacks were limited to one. Most of January, I spend in silence and withdraw from most human contact. Thus, it has taken me a while to get around to writing about the Sister trip to Key West. Liddy obviously need a lot of help translating and typing a post (she is always complaining about her lack of thumbs---evolution and all).

For the third year in a row, Stacey and I have spent Christmas in a tropical location. This year we tried out Key West. When I mentioned that we were going to Key West this summer to my friend, Charlie, he immediately runs upstairs to pull out a folder with Cayo Hueso Resort written on it and began to gush (as much as a boy can gush about something other than cars) about how awesome the resort was and how helpful Joyce was. A couple of clicks and a few phone calls we had direct flights from Charlotte and a place with a heated pool.

Once we landed we found lunch and began working on transportation. I don't know who was more excited for a bike only weekend. Odd, that I was excited considering I love getting around on a bike until I actually have to do it. I traded my bike for private yoga lessons the week prior to vacation. I think the success of the week could be traced back to the fact we did not have to drive and our normal personality clashes did not have a chance to surface because we were not navigating in a foreign language in a car.

Our trusty steads

For the first few days we did not move from the pool. Some how I have an obsession with a pool and it is a decadent delight just to leisure by a pool.

A heated bliss

It was during our first day that we had a few hours of overcast and really our only bought of rain. We decided to move from the pool and scope out our general surroundings when it started to rain and we ducked into a little bar called the French Quarter. Immediately, I realized we were in a gay club (not that there is anything wrong with their liquor), but I was more amused how long it took Stacey to figure that out (another 15 minutes). She wasn't convinced until after she noticed a poster for amateur stripper night and it was a young, very buff, man. In all things gay and fun, it was at the French Quarter that we were reminded of the goodness called HAPPY HOUR. For those of you not from North Carolina, this is not going to be anything new to you. North Carolinians--> other states have drink specials for certain hours of the afternoon/night were you can score a great deal. It isn't just for food. We eventually learned where we liked to happy hour and planned our beach/pool time around it. Our favorite was the upstairs porch of nine one five.

One happy hour we went to the tallest building on the island--La Concha Hotel for the view at sunset. The bar actually didn't have specials but did have a very generous bartender.

Cell Towers are on my mind and yes they are every where

The sunset

Where we went to Christmass and then there is an ocean.

The view from the street below

Our Christmas tradition is for me to stick my feet in the sand and Stacey to do a cannonball into the pool.

A little stormy, but totally worth it

We grilled our Christmas dinner and attempted to go on a ghost tour. As it turns out all the people we asked said that the company would do a tour and we even left a message to confirm our reservation (no message back and I'm still waiting on that phone call) but we found a closed door. We were upset to put it lightly. I often tell people that Stacey and I have opposite traits, but together we make one awesome person. Stacey is better at certain confrontations than I am and thanks to her skills we got two free tickets for a different night. The guide was a great story teller and looked like he would also enjoy participating in the Renaissance Festival, but let's just say my favorite part was the discounted cocktail we took on the tour. If you ever decide to do the ghost tour. Don' expect to be scared, but you will be entertained.

Key West does not lack for some fun photo opportunities....