I turned a corner and am now heading north. I mistakenly thought that I could make the 125 mile trip from Key West to Miami Springs in about three hours, leaving me plenty of time to go the 30 miles to the beach. I failed to add in the last nine miles from Miami South to Miami Springs. That nine miles took a little over two hours, and there was no accident or road work, and it wasn’t even “rush hour” yet. The roads have stop lights every other block, and it took two or three cycles for each stop light. That used up the “extra” time I had planned for a trip to the beach.

I got another room in a Best Western, the best so far. Nice, quiet, everything in good order, great free breakfast – and an Irish Pub within easy walking distance down the street. It was sort of easy, because it was also pouring rain – in bucketfuls. I drove.

The pub was separated into two parts – an outside bar that was packed with guys (no women) with not even standing room available, and an inside bar/restaurant that was much quieter, and I could get a seat. I chose the inside options and got into fun discussions with a couple of older gentlemen. They told me their names, but I forgot them.

When they heard that I was writing about my travels they wanted to know if they would be included, and I said that it is likely. So they wanted a photo to go along with it. The bar tender took the photo for me. This morning I thought it might be fun to use that at practice sketching since I have always been afraid to attempt drawing people. Here is my effort, the second attempt in my life. A week or so ago I attempted to draw a sketch of a friend of mine, and it came out rather ghoulish. This one isn’t much better, but it gives a feeling of the moment. While it doesn’t classify as “good” or even “art” – it was fun to do and gives me a little hope that with practice things might improve. At least they look like three different guys.

I also stopped in at a little bar and grill for lunch on one of the Keys. I don’t recall which key, or the name of the place – but they served a pretty good burger, and three others in the place carried on a lively conversation. They indicated that I had walked into a local establishment, not a tourist place. It was interesting to hear what they had to say about growing up on the keys, and how difficult they found living in the city to be. They just grew up “country” and that seems difficult to get past. They had all “gone out there” – only to return to a place where they could relax and breath a little.

I am going to continue north this morning, but perhaps making a bit of a loop toward Fort Lauderdale just to see what I can see. My good friend Warren used to go there on spring break, I was always curious what was drawing him across the country to do that. I am still curious, so will take a fly-by knowing that I won’t see much.