Key West Recap

One of my goals this year was to visit a new city and I was able to meet that goal pretty early into the year.  My aunt, two cousins, mom, step dad and I got to spend two days exploring Key West.  We had a wonderful time.  The best part was just getting to spend time together.  I am very lucky that Daniel was willing to stay home with the kids so I could go and enjoy time with my family.

We got up early on Sunday morning to start the long drive.  We are about 3 1/2 hours away but that may as well been 23 hours.  We were ready to get there.  We made wonderful time until about 10 miles away where there was an accident.  The thing about the Keys is that it is a one lane road, so that put us a few minutes behind schedule.  The drive itself is gorgeous.  The water is gorgeous and the little towns you go through are so cute.

Once we got to the resort, we didn't waste much time calling for a taxi to take us into town.  We were about three miles away because honestly that's all we could afford.  When we booked, we were looking at between $800 and $1,000 a night on the cheap side.  We were able to find a two bedroom condo with pull out sofa for about $700 for two nights...we just had to make the 3 mile trip into town, which really was no big deal.

Our first stop was Sloopy Joes.  We got a bite to eat and had a couple drinks.  I had the nachos which was really a bad choice.  They sounded good at the time and I did a pretty good job of putting a hurting on them but in hindsight, they were awful.  My orange flavored mixed drink made up for it. We spend the afternoon walking around, shopping, taking pictures and people watching.  We went to the waterfront area, where the cruise ships dock and watched a couple shows.  One was a juggler and one was a pig show.  The pig was cute and I wish he was more of the show instead of the weirdos who owned him. They were just weird.  They told the crowd, which was full of children, something about that if we didn't tip then puppies would die or something to that effect.  We ended our first night having dinner...I had conch fritters and steamed shrimp...and heading back to the resort.  They have a little bar at the marina there so we went and had a cocktail and people watched before heading in pretty early.  My aunt Georgie and I had the sleeper sofa. We may as well slept on a piece of plywood.  It was the most uncomfortable place I've ever slept.  Around 3 a.m., we woke up to an alarm that went off for forever.  Thankfully, I was able to cram my sweatshirt over my head to drown out the sound and get a little sleep.

After getting five women and one man showered in ready with two bathrooms, we set out for Blue Heaven, a restaurant that was recommended to me by a million and one people.  We sat outside...not sure if there really even is inside seating.  The menu looked amazing....Lobster Benedict, Blueberry Pancakes, Banana Pancakes...I settled on a cup of coffee and the meal with two eggs, bacon, hash browns and pancakes (which I added blueberries to).  My breakfast was delicious! Another thing about Blue Heaven is that they had sushi cupcakes...little cupcakes rolled to look like sushi.  Had it not been so early with me having to carry these around all day, I would have definitely gotten them.

We left Blue Heaven and made the short walk to the Hemingway House.  This was a really neat guided tour that gave a history of Earnest Hemingway. The house is gorgeous and my mom and aunt got in trouble for being on Facebook during the tour...can't take those two anywhere.  In their defense, I think they were posting pics to Facebook.  And all I have to say is two things...1...it's a good thing I didn't hear him fuss at them and 2...it's a good thing he didn't catch me on Facebook! Ha! What is up with adults fussing at other adults.  Homie don't play that game!

We left Blue Heaven and made the walk to Hell...um, I mean, to the Southern Most Point, which may as well have been Hell for as hot as it was.  Why is it so hot?  Where is my water? Does that store have AC?  Is that a mirage or is it water?  I mean, it was February 1 and hot as all get out! What the hey!

We made it to the Southern Most Point and waited in a  hot, sweaty line that barely moved.  But totally worth it...the view was amazing.

We left there and walked for 354 miles to Duval Street and made our way down the street, stopping, shopping and having a snack and cocktail as we pleased.

After lots of walking, we decided to do the tour train.  We were in trouble within the first five minutes of the trip and were yelled at over the mic by the driver.
Conversation: (in so many words)
Momma: Oh look at that statue.  I love it..I want to get a picture of it.
Me: Momma! You got a picture last night!
Momma: No, I didn't!
Me: Yes, you did!
Driver: Ladies! You are too loud! I can hear you all the way up here and I'm the one giving the tour, not you.  This is me in my dad voice!
Train: Silence
Me: Really!!! Wow!!!

The rest of the trip...me...furious, legs crossed and  shaking, texting Daniel, about to go off...with an occasional smart mouth "Y'all be quiet now! Y'all are too loud."

I warned my family that I would be saying something to him when the train stopped, which I did.  I was nice but informed him that were are all adults who were loud for about 10 seconds, 5 minutes into the trip and did not appreciate being chastised in front of everyone on the train.  I informed him that he pissed me off so bad that I didn't hear a word of his tour and that we would not be getting back on.  I didn't tell him he wasn't getting a tip but I think he figured that out.  He thanked me for my "feedback."  And for the recored my aunt and cousins got back on the train....the nerve of them  :)

After meeting the traitors (my aunt and cousins) back up, we headed to dinner, a place called...well, honestly I don't remember the name of it...anyway...it is on the water and not that great.  Oh, it was Schooners! I had the shrimp cobb salad...it was ok! After that, we headed to another restaurant on the water, The Conch Republic.  A friend of mine from high school was able to stop by and join us and that truly made my night.  I haven't seen him in years and was so happy that he made his way over to see us for a little while.

Our last stop before heading home was a drag show.  This was my mom's one Key West wish and I'm so glad we did it.  I had a blast and so did my mom.  I think Don even liked it!

Key West was a fun place to visit.  I still like New Orleans a lot better but am so thankful for the chance to spend time with my family.  As I've gotten older, I really appreciate these experiences and the memories that we are making.  Can't wait until we can all get together again!

Emily