Sunday Service in Islamorada

Brian and Wendy made it to Pastor Bob and Marcia Pavey's place in Islamorada late Saturday afternoon- they drove straight through from Indiana on about a 12 pack of Mountain Dew.  Glad they made it safe and sound. We joined them today, along with Dave and Berta Boblett from Banana Bay, to hear Bob preach at the Methodist Church there.  Wendy sang a solo, which was beautiful as always.  She has the voice of an angel, and I know the congregation really enjoyed hearing her sing.  Berta was in awe of the beautiful stained glass windows which the parishioners made themselves.  They hold stained glass classes three days a week, and I told Berta that we would go back sometime soon and sit in on a class.  It looks like fun.

Next to the church is a Memorial Gardens, and this
hurricane monument that is a tribute to the deadly
Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.  Look it up, there
have been many books written about it.  The one
I enjoyed most was called Hemingway's Hurricane.

Marcia treated us to a fabulous Sunday dinner.  We had to walk off her
homemade banana cream pie afterwards...

So we took a walk to the beach, and I picked up a
pocket full of seashells.  It's my favorite :)

It is a famously photographed beach.  In fact, the property manager told us
that two photo shoots were booked for this week.  The beach is
usually teaming with models and photographers.
Bryan and Wendy were just enjoying the sun, sand, and water- it
beats the snow and 11 degrees they left on Friday!

Comparing tans or biceps?!  BOYS.

There was no Victoria Secret model to be found to share
this tree with Brian.  No offense Brian, but isn't
that blue sky and blue ocean just gorgeous?!

There was a regatta going on out on the ocean which gave Cap'n
itchy tiller finger for our days spent racing at Prairie Creek Reservoir
on Sunday afternoons in the summertime. 

Just about any boat on the water looks beautiful to me :)

On our walk back from the beach, we moseyed through the neighborhood
admiring all of the homes, flowers, and fauna. 

Everything looked and smelled so lush.

God makes the most beautiful things, in nature.

Is this a giant philodendron plant that was climbing a palm?

I am a sucker for pretty things, like this hibiscus.

Somebody look this one up and tell me what it is....
There are these HUGE clusters of  'berries' on this
tree.  They are sweet, juicy, but have a pit in them
like a cherry.  They must not be poisonous as I tried one!
I'm curious to know what it is...somebody Google it for me!

I can never pass up an opportunity to take a pic of
a banyan tree- they are just too cool. 
Wendy and Brian are pretty cool, too.

Cool ride....

As we rounded the corner to head back to the Pavey's I saw this cool
backyard.  Two wine glasses, and the bottle, all ready and waiting for us.  Nice!

So all in all it was a picture perfect Sunday.  Great sermon, great food, great friends, great walk....AND the Broncos Won!  The Seahawks Won!  and I got gas for $2.19/gallon on the way
back to Marathon!  Woohooo!!!! (thanks, Winn Dixie Rewards Card :)

Tomorrow we are playing tour guides to some sailing friends of ours from Prairie Creek Reservoir back home- Fred and Kay Wallheiser.  There are on a cruise that is porting in Key West tomorrow, so we are their "shore excursion".  There's sure to be many more pics to follow.  If I can only keep Cap'n out of that crazy outfit and off of Duvall Street- stay tuned!  G'nite, y'all!