Catching up - Key West

After two incredibly intense experiences in finishing the main step of ACCME reaccreditation and the passing of my grandfather, I ran away.  Just 36 hours after the funeral, I hopped on a plane and took off for Key West in the Florida Keys - and it was exactly what I needed at the moment.  One of my best friends was nearby for a business trip so he joined me for some of the fun too!

The Southern Most House - where I laid my head at night....

it was unbelievably cool - right on the beach/water's edge.

 My friend and I went on a day-long excursion that included snorkling, wave-runners, sea-kayaking (30 before 30 item!), para-sailing, and a big play-place of water toys in the Gulf of Mexico.

 Check that off the list....

  Flying high up there!

 In the evening, everyone is out on Duvall Street, wandering around an atmosphere very similar to New Orleans.  Since I am a huge NOLA fan, this part was great too.....except when I decided talking to the animal guy and he put them on me....I was semi-okay with the snake, but the bird on my head made me absolutely out of my mind insane - do we all realize that birds are just about the most unclean thing ever?  (insert the move train Contagion....thanks V - this movie trailer makes me suicidal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sYSyuuLk5g).  Anyway, as I started freaking out about the bird, it upset the snake and as you can see in the picture below, it started to wrap tightly around my legs in defense....this cause more panic and the moment was QUICKLY over.  I think I'm still recovering...

 Another shot of paradise...walking out the back door of the house to go read my book during sunrise :)

 Reading on a hammock, over looking the ocean.  This is how I intend to spend retirement.  

I can't remember ever being so calm and content.

 Enjoying the local fare at Sloppy Joe's - part is a restaurant and part is a bar.  It was fantastic and this guy was hilarious.  I had some big yummy pub-type nachos with sloppy joe mix on top (amongst all of the traditional nacho goods).  This was a hot spot, as it's the "must go place" in Key West, so I was pretty pleased about having a table right up in front!

 Sitting on the edge of the pier....soaking it all up.  Oh, and I bought a new hat!

 Sunset in Key West.  Aaaahhhh, yes.

 Every night at sunset there's a big festival that goes on with street performers, artisans, and food vendors; it is super eclectic and fun.  The flame throwers were my favorite part, although there were lots of super talented people.  I started asking around and apparently it's a competitive process and you have to apply to their arts council to reserve your spot....imagine that - an application to be assigned a location to publicly panhandle with tricks....?

 Marilyn and I, posing outside the movie theater!

The local delicacy is conch (the little critter that comes from those shells you can allegedly hear the ocean in) so I finally broke down and decided I had to try it....and thought I would kill myself after.  NOT my flavor, texture, or preference.  AAAAHHH!  Their other local claim-to-fame is over course Key Lime Pie (obviously), which there is often called Key West Lime Pie.  I was told it was actually created in Key West and spread from there.  I had some very yummy pie, but no decent pics (eyes closed) to show it.  Delicious!

 Oh, and did I mention the little red VW convertible to cruise up and down the coast and around the island? :)  Yeah, that wasn't terrible either.  This was one of those trips I won't ever forget.

As I drove back up the coast line from Key West, I wanted to cry because I was so terribly sad it was over - what a wonderful, amazing, fulfilling, completely relaxing, exceeded-all-expectations kind of experience.  But instead of crying, I tried to think of the silly cliche, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened".  And smile I did!

Well, for that reason, and because the trip was only half over....the second half of my trip was to leave the quiet, laid back environment of Key West to join the more lively Fort Lauderdale.  More to come... :)