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Buffett List #7: Stash some trash in Ecuador!

Havana Daydreamin’, Jimmy Buffett. Havana Daydreamin’. ABC Records. 1976.

Beautiful Los Frailes National Park on the Pacific Ocean.

Quite the crowd at this beach!

We took a day trip by boat the Isla de la Plata, aka Poor Man’s Galapagos and about an hour boat ride from the fishing village of Puerto Lopez. I would highly recommend booking with Aventuras la Plata http://www.aventuraslaplata.com/es/inicio/ . The blue footed boobies were adorable!

We saw so many magnificent creatures- whales, sea lions, many birds, and, of course, my favorite sea turtles! We had the chance to snorkel with beautiful tropical fish in the cool Pacific waters.

What a spot! This is surely a slice of life in Margaritaville… at the Hotel Pacifico in Puerto Lopez. It was a perfect way to relax after a day of adventure.

After a short drive out of town, you’re rewarded with a great view of Puerto Lopez.

While tourists come for the beaches and wildlife, Puerto Lopez is still a vibrant fishing village. The numerous frigates circling the area vouched for the authenticity.

Buffett List #6: Seaside Heartbreak with an Irish Lamb

“I wish you were mine again my dear. I’m on a sea…of heartbreak.”

Sea of Heartbreak, Jimmy Buffett. License to Chill. Mailboat Records/RCA. 2004.

Experiencing the Ring of Kerry on my trip to Ireland in March 2018 was a highlight for sure. While you can drive a rental car, I most recommend the ease of a bus tour. There is never a bad view of the Wild Atlantic!

In Ireland, it was all about the lamb! Standing by the Wild Atlantic on the Ring of Kerry, I held a one day old lamb. It was love at first snuggle💓 Letting go of my lamb left me in a “sea of heartbreak”. For sure, “the pleasure was worth all the pain”.

This little lamb was so generous with his smiles, nuzzles, and lamb love.

We were bonded for sure!

He even fell fast asleep in my arms. Though our moment was brief, it was an experience to treasure for years to come. Standing by the Wild Atlantic on a gorgeous Spring day with a sleeping baby lamb…

As heartbreaking as it was to say good bye, it was time to move along the beautiful and rugged Irish coastline.

It was a postcard perfect day along the shore but a little too cool for swimming, even by Irish standards.

I loved the view from the other side of the pond!

Could a day on the Ring of Kerry be complete without a stop at the Red Fox? Of course not.

And lastly we entered the world of a very enchanting forest. Undoubtedly the fairies were there somewhere!

Buffett List # 4: Be a Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street (Key West, FL)

A Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street, Jimmy Buffett. Havana Daydreamin’. ABC Records. 1976.

Nothing inspires me to hop in my car and head south to Key West than hearing these lyrics! And why not let this tune take me there for the Key West Half Marathon in January 2016.

Like any road race, the excitement builds while awaiting the start early in the morning.

It was a thrill to run down Caroline Street in the Key West Half-Marathon in 2016.

Chickens on the beach- all part of running the roads of the Conch Republic.

The best kind of waste receptacles- Keys’ life!

2016 in Key West: As they say, I guess I’m only half crazy…on Caroline Street.

A successful finish- what a view to welcome you back to the Key West Seaport.

https://www.keywesthistoricseaport.com

Running Swag!

And what better way to finish of this feat on foot than with a feast at Caroline’s Cafe on Duval Street. I recommend the portobello mushroom sandwich!

https://carolinescafe.com

Buffett List #3: See Jimmy perform in Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas, Jimmy Buffett. Welcome to Fin City. Mailboat Records. 2012.

I packed up my Parrothead gear, and headed west in October 2013 on an early flight from Tampa International. Not too early for a little Parrothead spirit- FINS UP!!

We stayed at MGM Grand on the Vegas strip! The concert is at MGM- a major convenience.

The pool at MGM Grand is lovely…

But we couldn’t miss checking out the coolest Parrothead tailgate party at The Flamingo on the famous Vegas Strip!

No chance of feeling out of place in this crowd- the getups were over the top!

Quite a festive crowd on a beautiful day in Las Vegas!

Back to MGM Grand to finalize the wardrobe. Concert gear is ready!!!

Ready for the show!

The man himself- Viva Jimmy in Vegas!

What a great show- and a great trip “home” through the casinos at MGM Grand. The concert coincided with a rodeo convention with some fun concerts in the casino. Much better than being stuck in post-concert traffic!

In addition to being a huge Buffett fan, I love a laugh through National Lampoons vacation movies. We stumbled upon the wedding chapel from the closing scene of Vegas Vacation right by the Stratosphere.

And no trip to Vegas can be complete without the Fremont Street experience- classic Vegas. Ride the bus over from the Strip- it’s cheap and easy.

What a view from the top of the Stratosphere. Vegas Baby!

Living out any adult fantasy is possible in Vegas- we lived it up at Machine Gun Vegas, feeling the power of full auto. They provide transportation to and from your hotel on the Strip.

https://machinegunsvegas.com

Closing it out with a little tribute to Margaritaville, Vegas style at the Margaritaville Casino at The Flamingo. https://www.margaritavillelasvegas.com/casino-copy

While I didn’t have much luck in the casino… any Parrothead knows that seeing Jimmy in Vegas is ALWAYS a winner!!