Captain Curt's chowder~ forget the cup bring the bowl!

Powdery sand clings to your feet, feels like walking on clouds.... Siesta Keys beach is beautiful.

Sunset is amazing. Surprisingly quiet beach town and very relaxed community. The trip here just wouldn't be complete without a visit to Captain Curt's .....okay we went twice! Don't leave without ordering the award winning clam chowder.... Your spoon will rest atop the chowder which is loaded with clams, bits of potatoes, and huge flavor.

Viva Las Vegas!

Skinny Fats! What an incredible place to eat in Las Vegas! Fortunately we discovered this place midway through our 5 week stay. Gourmet food at budget prices! 

Yes....tears for my rocks.

Garrucha Beach

Beautiful aren't they? I think I collected about 4 pounds (okay maybe more) of those little darlings. Placing them in my carry on proved to be a "problem" and "yes" quiet tears flowed after having to give them to customs. Not kidding.

 The rocks on Garrucha Beach were amazing...beautiful colors, perfectly round, great souvenir to gift and keep. Garrucha Beach had great surf (very strong) and those darling rocks were true torture to walk on....the bottom of my feet were bruised by days end. The beach has a nice boardwalk lined with shops for lunch or shopping. A Mercado is close by for getting water or fruit.

 We chose another beach the following day just west of Garrucha, closer to the city of Mojacar. That beach proved to be a bit of a disappointment. The surf was not nearly as good and the "sand" was pretty much a dirt texture. This area was near some hotels and somewhat tourist infested (you know people who have the entire beach to set up camp but choose to cramp up next to you...really?) ...Garrucha was definitely a better beach.

Travel & Coffee

Two of my most favorite things in the world!  Travel and coffee.  My blog will hopefully serve as a way to preserve my memories of my travels.  Oh, the coffee part? Coffee always tastes best to me when traveling, its my memory trigger. When home I can take a sip of coffee, close my eyes and go back to the corner cafe in Vera. Its about 7am and Louie and I sit drinking our cafe con leche, the sounds and sights come rushing back to me. There is the lady we saw yesterday morning, head to toe in black . A widow no doubt, once again picking up fresh bread from the store next door.

Corner cafe in Vera -View from balcony

The photo included below is a beautiful corner cafe in Madrid. No coffee here, its afternoon and beer is much much cheaper than a bottle of water. A plate of olives set before us makes for a perfect place to rest before we move about the city enjoying tapas. 

Next time you sit next to someone sipping coffee they may be far far away or absorbing and preserving that moment. Enjoy!