This one is rated PG-13

Ellie and I hit the trifecta when we walked the seven mile bridge this morning.  To clarify, only a portion of the original bridge is standing and open to the public.  It is 2.2 miles long and ends at Pigeon Key; which was a settlement that was built for the workers of the Flagler Railroad that once ran from the mainland to Key West.  If you saw the helicopter scene in the movie True Lies, you're familiar with where/how the old bridge ends.

We first saw several schools of spotted eagle rays.

They were all feeding on the incoming tide.  Very cool.

Before we got to the end to turn around, we also saw three nurse sharks and a hawksbill turtle, too- trifecta!  The day was starting out really good :)

We then finished up a few birthday errands, and it was time to leave for our luncheon date planned in Key West.  We were celebrating Mom's 80th birthday today.  It technically is on 02/25, but she and Ellie are leaving on Friday, the 21st.  We had a special treat in store for her today. 

We took her to Lattitudes restaurant at Sunset Key, off of Key West.  If you want to see "how the other half lives", roam around their website: http://www.westinsunsetkeycottages.com/  It's a gorgeous property, that can only be reached by water taxi.  The 1200sf two bedroom cottages start at only $950/night.  If you want breakfast included, the rate jumps to $1292/night.  Yeah, it's THAT kind of place.  As in five stars.  It's an experience to just dine there, though we could never afford to stay there.  We made reservations for 2:30pm, which is the last possible seating for the lunch menu.  We couldn't begin to afford to have dinner there in the evenings!  Shoot, it was a treat to see the wait staff folding all the linens and pre-setting the tables for the evening crowd ;)  I simply don't run in those kinds of social circles.  To say there is money at Sunset Key, is a gross understatement, at best.  But, a person doesn't turn 80 years old every day, and Momma deserved a little pampering!



First we picked up the water taxi out of the harbor.  The
Carnival Fascination was in port today.

Adolph was excited to be along for the boat ride; he was wearing his life jacket!

Momma was looking on at me, Rita, and Christina.

Our besties in Florida- Kenny and Fran :)

Safety first!

  

As you step off the boat ramp, this is the view of Sunset Key to your left.

And this is the glorious view of the restaurant to your right- FANCY.

Me and my pretty Momma- she's a young 80!

The first order of business- cocktails! Cheers to Momma!

Adolph had to sample Frannie's Cosmopolitan :)

...and Grandma's Pina Colada.  Such a lush, that bird.

We tootled through the gift shop while our meals were being
prepared.  Mom bought herself a pretty necklace for her
birthday.  I found a top I liked, but it was $200.00.

Our meals were incredible.  Some had a very fancy steak salad, many had
the lobster roll, Mom and Cora had coconut shrimp, I had grilled salmon,
and Fran, Donnie and Alexa had burgers.  It was amazing!  What's a
birthday dinner without a birthday cake for dessert?  Adolph wanted
to help Grandma blow out the candles.

Happy Birthday, dear Momma, Happy Birthday to you!

It was a delicious cake with cream cheese frosting- Oh. Em. Gee.

Me and my girlie, just moments before the big mishap....

SO....we waited at the dock for the next water taxi to take us back to Key West.  A boat pulled up, it said Sunset Key, so we all piled on....or so I thought....

I started yelling, "Where's Ellie?!" and then Adolph
got frantic- he was beside himself, "Ellie!"  "Ellie!"  "Ellie!"
The boat captain, said, "Was she in a yellow dress, waving her
arms?"  Um, yeah....that was her.  Thankfully, the next
boat had already pulled up.  We lucked out, as it was the
last boat of the afternoon.  She would have had to wait another
hour before the dinner boats started running.  Big oops. 

We got back to Key West and Adolph was still hollering
for Ellie.  He hollered himself hoarse.  He hollered so much
 he had the roosters in the neighborhood all shook up, too.

We lined up along the gang plank giving our best queen
wave and hanging our heads in shame as we all shouted
how sorry we were....

Apologies were not so much accepted...dang.  The
girl has traveled all over Europe- alone.  She's 22.
She was on the next boat just 10 minutes behind us.
No sense of humor about it. at all.
As it turned out, she was in the right, and we were in
the wrong all the way around- we all jumped into the
wrong boat.  dang. dang. dang.

 

While the ladies were gathering up near the parking garage,
the boys were left to their own devices with Adolph.
They had a grand time posing him in and amongst
the walk through artist's park.  Here he was trying
to get a little kissy face action....wait, where's his pants?!

And then they got near the naked statue, and you can well imagine how that all went down...

(close your eyes and arrow down, I don't want to offend)

 

B O Y S

 

The roosters started crowing over that one.  I threatened to call animal control.  I wanted to dip him in the fountain to wash the nastiness off of him.  But no....

 

 

Uncle Kenny obliged by giving him a cigarette
afterwards.  My little Adolph has been corrupted :/



 

We left to return back to the boat, but Peter and Rita stayed at Mallory Square
to watch the sunset.  It was a beautiful one.

 



And Willis T missed out on all the fun today.  He was content
takin' a cat nap on Marquesa.   G'nite, y'all!