transformation

Time continues to be a surreal concept on this years trip. After never getting off of California time while in Virginia, I had to manage to leave my folks house at 3am for a 6am flight to Miami and several hours of head-nodding layover before getting my flight down to Key West late in the afternoon. But I made it. And all you have to do is land here to feel the transformation this place brings - its magical. More things have changed as we seem to see every year - a few more old local institutions are gone and more chains, condos, and "nice" new development is replacing them. The spirit of the island manages to remain though, hopefully it will win out in the long run. Stay tuned for more from the Conch Republic over the next few days.