Key Wasted

Photo taken from the 7-Mile Bridge, Marathon

 And it’s just the sweetest life he’s ever tasted,
A little laid back and key wasted.
He’s got his toes in the sand, he’s a tropical man
He’s happy as hell and it shows.
He’s just living in a drunken stupor,
Making some money on that old square grouper.
Never had any doubt and if it doesn’t work out,
Well, that’s just the way it goes.

..... Jim Morris, 1996

Even us "retired" folks have to go on vacation once in a while and where better to go than the Florida Keys.

What could be more relaxing than Key relaxed .... there is no other feeling like it on earth (except maybe Hawai'i).  Sun, surf, sand .... boats, bouys, babes ... piers, pontoons, pina coladas.  Sitting on your front porch, watching the ocean and hitting away on the keyboard - what could be better!

A VIEW FROM OUR FRONT PORCH

We took off on March 7th and headed for The Keys, our destination Marathon which is located about halfway between Key Largo and Key West and a resort called Rainbow Bend on Grassy Key.  We chose Marathon because it was in the middle and then we could go either way to do our exploring.

And exploring we did .... from one end of The Keys to the other, checking out all the little back roads and State Parks, touristy areas, as well as where the locals hang out.  The color of the water is absolutely stunning .... from emerald green to robin's egg blue (wish I could have captured it in pictures but the colors just don't show up right) ... from choppy and stormy looking to smooth as glass ... from dark and murky to seeing all the way to the bottom.

Canal off of Duck Key, high-end neighborhood

We made two trips to Key West; one with Harley and one without.  The first trip we encountered hordes of young adults - ut o - spring break is upon us.  It was so much fun to sit and watch their antics; lots of drunk kids doing truly stupid things.  They all seemed to come off of one of the cruise ships in the harbor.  I truly felt sorry for the crew on that ship!

On the second trip we went down later in the day so we could stay to watch the infamous Mallory Square sunset.  And spectacular it was!

 

Mallory Square at sunset is a not to miss item in Key West.  Everyone heads to the square to watch the sunset amid the carnival like atmosphere, food vendors, various artistic endeavors (think painted coconuts), and talented (or not so talented) entertainment from high wire walkers to men in kilts balancing their bagpipes on their foreheads while standing on a very tall stool (yep, for real - we can see you now Parker in your retirement lol).

 We ate grouper and shrimp and stone crab claws and blue crab and lobster and frog legs (no they don't taste like chicken) and key lime pie and ......... and .......... burp ... excuse me ...


We sat through a torrential downpour and endured the sweltering sun (I know you feel sorry for us - NOT), drank wine, cleaned sand out of our underwear and had a damn fine time.  

I’m growing older but not up
My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck
Let those winds of time blow over my head
I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead ... 

--- Jimmy Buffett 1980

For more photos of our Keys Vacation click here.

On our way home we took Highway 41 rather than Alligator Alley (where we saw NO alligators) and stopped at Cooperstown for an air boat ride through The Everglades. While our guide was knowledgeable, he wasn't real talkative and I wish he would have stopped more for picture taking.  The scenery was breathtaking, the gators and birds plentiful, and Harley had a ball once he got used to the sound of the engine.  The short 40 minute ride whetted our appetite for more of the Glades and I know we'll return for a longer ride next time.  

We also stopped at a small park along Highway 41 to eat our lunch and were surprised to find it manned by a volunteer who pointed out more gators, birds and snakes for our enjoyment.

For air boat tour and gator photos click here. 

Well, it won't be long until we're headed back to Idaho.  I hope the snow is all gone!!!

Happy Trails,
Jo, Dick & Harley

LAS VEGAS 2011

The end of January found us in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2011 SHOT Show.  What is a SHOT Show you ask? - me too!  The SHOT Show is an annual tradeshow for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. It's the biggest event of this type in the world.  Now what in the world were we doing here you ask?


Well ... way back when,  February 3rd of 1976 to be exact, when Dick was working for the Colorado Springs Police Department he was shot while on a burglary call.  The vest he was wearing saved his life and was purchased from Safariland (makers of the vest).  Roll forward 35 years later ....

When we were in Florida in July of 2010, Dick was contacted by Ed Hinchey of Safariland asking if they could come to Idaho and interview him for a film they were making.  Dick was the FIRST SAVE with a Safariland vest and they wanted to honor him during the 2011 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

So, in October of 2010 our living room was turned into a small movie set, with our esteemed producer Ace Underhill and  Monte Moore, our director / graphic person, and, of course, our star - Mr. Dick Sheehan, along with technical adviser Ed Hinchey and minor starlets Ms. Jo Sheehan and Harley Davidson Dawg.

 

                                              Monte Moore & Dick

                                                 Ed Hinchey & Ace Underhill






Monte Moore & Dick

                                                                                                           




                                 Monte Moore









After setting up and shooting for a couple of hours, we headed off for lunch and then back for some more filming.  Ed took us out to dinner, to include Sean and his family.  We had a great time and learned a lot about the film business.  Ed presented Dick with the coveted Safariland SAVES Coin - the one you are always happy to receive cause that means you survived!

 It was a little embarrassing tho when someone else has to explain to your son why his father is receiving this coin.

We said goodby to Ed, Ace and Monte (p. s. Monte grew up in Nampa and now lives in Colorado Springs) not knowing what the finished film would look like but anxious to see it all the same.

Arrangements were made and in January we flew to Las Vegas, taking the good weather with us.  We arrived on Tuesday the 18th, got settled into our room, and headed for the SHOT Show to find Ed.  I felt like we had checked into a "high roller" room - it was beautiful, with the most wonderful view of the mountains, the strip and Trump tower.

Tuesday evening we had dinner with Neale Perkins.  In 1964, following his father's request for a custom holster, Neale Perkins launched a holster business from his garage in Sierra Madre, California. He named his new company after the African safaris he and his father enjoyed together. From these humble beginnings, Safariland quickly went from making a few hundred holsters to more than 5,000 within a few months.

Neale was Dick's original contact with Safariland way back in 1976.  Neale flew him out to Safariland headquarters in California at which time he made an 8mm home movie of Dick and Neale's dog in Neale's backyard.  Dick was the FIRST SAVE with one of Neale's vests.  It was a trip that Dick remembers to this day.

We had a ball at dinner with Neale - telling us stories and a few tall tales; Neale is truly a special man and we look forward to our continued friendship with him.

Wednesday Dick spent the morning at the SHOT Show and I went and did a little shopping, walked the strip, and came back and had my toes pampered.  We were meeting a friend of mine from high school for dinner and I was really excited.  Carol (Graves) and her husband Fred Beitler showed up around 7:00 and we headed to the Grand Lux Cafe in the Palazzo for dinner.  It was so much fun catching up that I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!!  I can't believe it!

Thursday morning we met Ed and the rest of the SAVES Club members in the restaurant for breakfast.  Then it was on to the SHOT Show where the formal presentation was to take place at 2:00 PM.  There were three officers (including Dick) to be honored; the other two were Britt Sweeney from the Seattle WA PD and and Al Fong from the Saginaw MI PD.

Here is an excerpt from the presentation: 

A cold February night in 1976 marks the date that Richard (Dick) Sheehan’s life was saved by his Safariland vest. It was 11:52 p.m., and as a patrolman for the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Police Department, Dick observed two individuals behind a local business. When they started to run, Dick exited his patrol car and began pursuing them around the corner of the building, where he lost sight of the individuals. That’s when he was shot in the back twice by a .22 cal rifle. The Safariland vest that he was wearing saved his life that night.

Officer Britt Sweeney, Seattle Police Department, had been on the job just seven months when she and her Field Training Officer were ambushed by an assailant who was wanted for firebombing several police cars. It was Oct. 31, 2009 and as Officer Sweeney and her partner were pulled off the highway writing reports, the assailant pulled along side and opened fire with a .223 rifle. Sweeney’s partner was killed instantly, and Officer Sweeney was struck on her ABA Xtreme HP across the back/shoulder area. She was able to radio for help and exit the vehicle where she returned fire striking the vehicle of the assailant who was later taken into custody.

Officer Al Fong, Saginaw Michigan Police Department, was executing a narcotics raid on Oct. 30, 2010 with his tactical team when the suspect opened fire. Officer Fong was struck in his chest with two rounds. His PROTECH armor defeated the rounds and the team returned fire striking the suspect, who was then taken into custody without further incident.

“We are honored and extremely happy to bring together one of our very first Saves as well as two of our more recent Saves,” said Ed Hinchey, Safariland Saves Club liaison, and himself a member of the Saves program. “Nothing reflects the spirit of Safariland and its people more than the Safariland Saves Club and its long tradition of honoring those who protect us. With each product we make, we put emphasis on protecting the lives of those who use them.”

 It was a very emotional presentation for all officers and their families, as well as members of the audience.

     Al Fong ... Ed Hinchey ... Britt Sweeney ... Dick Sheehan

After all the excitement of the afternoon, we joined the Safariland team and the other SAVES members for dinner at the Dal Toro Ristorante.  Sitting next to Rich Shafer, VP of Marketing, and across from Scott O'Brien, President of Safariland, I got quite the lesson in ordering fine wines.  I did tell them I would settle for Annie Green Springs but they weren't too impressed lol.

Friday was a day to ourselves and another dinner with a high school friend and her hubby.  THIS TIME I TOOK PICTURES!  Terri and Tom Gasper arrived and we headed down to dinner.  I had not seen either of them since the early 70's and Terri's daughter Brandi is my God-daughter.  I have been very remiss! We had a good talk and lots of laughs and it was time to call it a night.

What a FUN FUN FUN week!  If you would like to see more photos, PLEASE CLICK HERE.  I tried to load the video but it was taking waaaayyyyy toooo lonnnnnggggg, so to see the STAR you'll have to come to the Sheehans for movie night!