Great Atlantic Seaboard Bicycyle Tour: Marathon, FL-Key West 11/11 55 driving miles; 18.4 walking miles

Happy Veteran's Day/Armistice Day. Thank you for your service. Ed and I really tore up the town. We had two drinks a piece after dinner in two different bars, although the bartenders must have both been trained in the same wave the tequila bottle over the glass technique. Let's just say we drank a couple of pretty expensive tequila mixer cocktails. Before that, we joined what I understand is a nightly circus of street theater down at Mallory Square to watch the sun set and watch any number of acts from performing pigs, jugglers, musicians, fire eaters, acrobats, and of course, other tourists. It was quite a spectacle. Because it was Veteran's Day, we also witnessed an annual parade. Most of the photos I took failed to capture much of the spectacle, but the whole thing from current military groups to veterans across a wide range of service to the high school band, the drill team and scouts from cub to girl to boy to sea to explorer, and finally a large group of Harley Davidson riders all contributed to the heart felt salute. Oh, and I forgot the roller derby girls and the police. It was a fun, very respectful event. Throughout the parade a constant shout, "Thank you for your service" filled the air. We had two delicious, but light meals today. For lunch, a sweet Cuban lady ("Best" human number two) served us a great Cuban sandwich, and for dinner we ate fish buritos at the Garbo Grill. Before any of that "Best" human number one, Sarah, expedited our check in at the motel. After lunch, Ed went to Starbucks for a kicker so we could stay out until almost ten-thirty. While he did that, I went on my shopping spree. There are only 44 days left until Christmas after all. At one store, I happened to tag onto a discussion about veterans. I said, "I brought my vet with me." The lady gave me two pieces of Key Lime pie and said, "Give him a hug and a sweet from us here at Blue Heaven." We met "Best" human three at the sunset celebration. Bill, also a Vietnam vet, moved to Key West from Maine when he was eighteen. After serving two tours, he came back and has been here ever since, working mostly as a commercial fisherman. He survived hurricane Andrew in 1992 by anchoring his sixty foot house boat with two Volkswagon engine blocks, opening all the windows, lashing everything down, stocking up on fresh water, and bringing in a half dozen extra marine batteries for power. He said the boat rocked and rolled and dragged around a bit, but he survived. Quite a guy. He's done fishing now. He and his wife travel the country going to various motorcycle events (Like Sturgess) where they sell leather goods. After all that, I bought Ed his traditional Veteran's Day drink, and I asked two currently serving Marine officers if they'd take a picture with a fellow Marine. It topped off a pretty good day. When the sun set, I was completely sure that life is good, especially today.