Day 2 A Day of Discovery: From Mangroves to Marathon

Today turned out to be more tiring than I expected, and in a twist that shocked absolutely nobody, I accidentally overslept by 30 minutes. I was under the delusion that I had an extra hour to sleep, but reality checked in while I was still half-asleep. So, I managed to sleep in for 30 glorious minutes. Sleeping over 8 hours is a rarity for me, as I usually cap it at a wild 7.5 hours—clearly, the extra rest was needed after our exhilarating travel day and an unintentional sunbathing session.

Feeling like a battery at 110%, I decided it was prime time for a small workout before launching into our 2nd day. There’s a fitness center in our hotel, so I snuck out for a 30-minute espionage mission on the elliptical trainer while Brian continued his beauty sleep. Since his stroke, he’s been on a more luxurious sleep schedule. I let him enjoy his royal slumber.

The fitness center was like a ghost town, equipped with an elliptical trainer, weight machine, recliner (because why not?), and an exercise bike. After my workout, I found Brian awake and pumped to hit the gym. I used this time to brush up on my German, turning my morning notebook into an impromptu language lab. Normally, my morning journal is brimming with tasks, but today, I was creatively bankrupt and struggled to fill out an A1-size note page. I stopped there, admitting defeat gracefully. Shortly after, Brian returned, and we kicked off our day.

Breakfast was a nostalgic dive into last night’s leftovers, with protein bars ready in our snack arsenal. We’re like food strategists on vacation: Brian monitors his protein and salt like a hawk while I play a calorie-counting game aiming for a 250-400 calorie daily deficit. This helps with a slow, pain-free weight loss regime and body sculpting that could rival Michelangelo’s work.

By 8:30 AM, we hit the road, but alas, the trails we planned to hike were closed. Undeterred, we drove about 45 miles to Marathon, one of the islands in the Keys, where a friendly lady at the visitor’s center bombarded us with information—and a few magical coupons.

 

Curry Hammock State Park was next on our list, a fabulous spot for kayaking. I reminisced about my kayaking days before moving to the United States, dreaming of future paddling adventures in Key West. Although hiking spots were scarce, we found a secluded 1.4-mile trail enveloped by lush vegetation—a real treat.

We stumbled upon some hidden beaches, offering a serene escape from the bustling tourist spots in the Keys. The gentle breeze was a chef’s kiss after our jungle adventure. A surprise encounter with a small red snake, which I initially mistook for a tree root, added a dash of excitement!

Navigating the branching trails was unnerving since we saw hardly anyone else, and I was concerned about Brian’s pace post-stroke. Despite the challenges, a friendly couple reassured us that the exit was nearby, dispelling my fears of becoming permanent forest residents.

Our next adventure was the local aquarium, possibly the most entertaining one I’ve ever visited. You can feed fish, turtles, and stingrays—these guys are surprisingly sociable and feel like a bizarre cross between cooked squid and raw chicken. They swam up eagerly, hoping for a snack. We made sure even the shy, smaller turtles got their share of the food.

After the aquarium, we visited Sombrero Beach, which was lively but sadly bereft of shells, much to Brian’s dismay. The beach cleverly offered buckets and sticks for cleanup, which was pretty neat. The windy conditions had Brian clutching his hat like a precious gem.

 

By 5 PM, my calorie counter read 2200, a testament to our active day and modest eating. I was in desperate need of a shower after all that excitement.

Dinner was at a nearby restaurant, where I enjoyed a taco salad with lightly seared ahi tuna, and Brian, ever the mindful eater, opted for a sombrero salad without the protein. Both meals were a delight, continuing our streak of culinary wins.

Back at the inn, I indulged in some writing while overlooking a pool where a joyful family played—an always heartwarming sight. Then, I cracked open a new book. Despite the exhaustion, it was another fantastic day of exploring and discovering the charm of the Keys.