What a day it was in the Sunshine State! As expected, Florida welcomed us with its blazing sun, a stark contrast to the cool farewell we’d just received from Nashville. As soon as we landed, Brian transformed into a window gawker, fascinated by Florida yet a newbie to the quirky charms of Key West. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but play contortionist, leaning over to sneak a peek at the sprawling marshlands below—my first glimpse of the place!
Our adventure truly began in the thrilling world of baggage claim. Thanks to the overhead bins playing Tetris without us, we checked our carry-on bags at no extra charge. Recalling our last escapade in October 2023, which was nearly thwarted by a pesky flight delay, I had brilliantly booked our rental car for two hours post-arrival, a stroke of logistical genius. Trekking through the airport to the car rental center, I unknowingly kicked off a mini-marathon, racking up about 4,000 steps.
The excitement was palpable as we approached our noble steed for the week—a Toyota Rav4. I’ve been curious about this famed chariot since its debut in the ’90s, and finally, I had the chance to captain it. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint; the ride was smoother than my attempts at local slang.
Our first major checkpoint was Key Largo, roughly 60 miles from Miami Airport. We weren’t in any rush, opting instead to absorb every moment and explore at our leisure. Brian, though slightly groggy from waking up two hours earlier than usual, was still keen on our early start—more time to play, after all!
Hunger struck unexpectedly soon, having only armed ourselves with airline cookies and coffee. A pit stop at a local grocery store saw us stock up on protein bars, water, and some hard-boiled eggs—perfect for my ongoing battle with the calorie counter.
Navigating Miami’s labyrinth of lanes was challenging, but once we hit Highway 1, we found our groove. The drive was nothing short of spectacular, with me practically buzzing with excitement while Brian, ever the zen master, cracked jokes that showed he was equally jazzed.
As we cruised along US Highway 1, the ocean vistas unfolded, bordered by houses painted in cheerful white, yellow, and blue hues—a vibrant nod to the island life. The thought of living by the sea, surrounded by such spirited colors and life, seemed almost too good to be true.
By 3 PM, we were checking into our resort, complete with its slice of sandy paradise and kayaking options. The beach was a hotspot for sun worshippers. Brian thought he heard roosters, which I initially missed, too engrossed by the ocean’s call. Later, I discovered the roaming chickens, amazed at my own obliviousness—it turns out that chickens are the real locals around here.
Our explorations led us to young fishermen along the mangrove-dotted shores. Out of curiosity, I asked about their catch, only to learn they were fishing for bait—a nostalgic nod to my days of virtual fishing in Sims 4.
Dinner was an early affair at 5:30 PM, at a spot recommended by ChatGPT. While I leave the restaurant picking to ChatGPT, orchestrating trip details is my true calling. If I’m traveling solo, I’m all about a meticulous 15-minute schedule, which can drive Brian a bit nuts.
Conversely, a vacation without a plan sends me into a spiral. Reflecting on our past trips—from the rigorously scheduled ghost towns in Oregon to an impromptu Grand Canyon escapade—I’ve realized that balance is key to keeping both of our stress levels in check.
At dinner, Brian dug into his tacos, and I delighted in a Greek salad topped with ahi tuna—a genuinely delicious meal. We carted our leftovers back to the hotel, where I diligently logged our day’s exploits and eats. Sticking to Nashville time, we made sure to rest up, with Brian succumbing to sleep almost instantly.
We’re off to Marathon tomorrow, but for now, it’s time to recharge for another day of Florida adventures!
Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thank you
Apologies for the delayed response! We had a bit of a hiccup with our SSL renewal which temporarily prevented us from accessing our website. We’re currently using the “Twenty Seventeen” theme in its prepaid version. Initially, this blog was my solo project, but now it has become a shared venture with my husband. His blog serves a slightly different purpose, but we operate as a team, so we use the same theme. You’re spot on about our blog needing a refresh—it’s actually our big project for this summer! Thanks so much for the recommendation and for taking the time to comment!