Tuesday, January 16
The kids have a short break at school and we've taken advantage of it to fly them to Miami and let them enjoy the Key's lifestyle for a few days.
We should have flown them into Key West rather than Miami. It is a good (meaning bad) 4-hour drive from here to Miami. However, there are no direct flights between Key West and Raleigh and we're uncomfortable with them having to change planes in a big airport.
They arrive in Miami late afternoon and we end up back here around midnight. A long day of driving, but definitely worth it.
The first thing a saw of the kids in the airport was Evan. He is now 6'2'' tall and towers over most other people. I don't know when the kid will stop growing, but he is certainly one handsome dude.
(Anna) Evan and I had spent the whole month studying and cramming for our exams and today we FINALLY finished them. The week leading up to our finals all we could talk about is how our trip to Mimi and Papa was the only thing keeping us from losing our minds in the midst of all the schoolwork.
Today the day had finally come, we got out of school, picked up our suitcases and headed to the airport with grandma. After an excruciatingly long 2 hour flight we finally landed in Miami, beyond excited to see Mimi and Papa (and Evan beyond excited to get outta the cramped plane.)
After 10 minutes navigating through the huge airport we found Mimi and Papa in the baggage claim, grabbed our suitcases and hit the road- we had a long four-hour drive ahead of us. Evan and Mimi took the back seat and while Papa drove and I was the greatest DJ to hit the Florida highway past 11pm. We finally got to the RV camp at the very early hour of 12:30AM ready to just fall into bed.
Wednesday
We have so many things we want to do while they're here and we get started on the activities that are not weather dependent. The weather does not look like it is going to be very cooperative for all the outside activities we hope to do.
Today we walk down town. After lunch, we decide that the first adventure will be para sailing. The winds are a little strong, but we are assured that it is safe - so off we go.
(Anna)Today the plan WAS to go to the butterfly conservatory, but knowing Mimi and Papa, plans can change really quick.
We started out the day chilling out in the RV, mostly just getting our bearings on base and unpacking. We stopped by the Bx for some toiletries and Evan got a sick Hawaiian shirt before heading out for the day.
We walked around by the water near a bunch of adorable shops and boardwalks (I’m not sure what it’s called but it def wasn’t Duval street) and started taking in Key West. It was so so nice- we could see the water, the sun was out, and the shops just felt islandy.
We ended up at a parasailing booth somehow and this lady talked us into parasailing! We stopped for lunch at one of Mimi and Papa’s favorite places before hitting the water (also Kenny Chesney played there at some point!!) Finally we headed back to the parasailing booth and headed out on the water. Mimi and Papa watched from the boat while Evan and I went up in the air. It was INCREDIBLE! We could see the water and the whole island and it was so so beautiful. After we finished there we walked down Duval street watching the street performers and exploring a little we headed back to the camp to make an easy dinner and chill out before I biked down to ‘Hollywood’ with Mimi to watch the GORGEOUS sunset it was outstanding wow.
Thursday, January 18
Anna's Birthday! Wow, it is so hard to believe that our little girl is such a beautiful young woman. We are so honored that she chose (and Mom and Dad allowed) her to spend her 17th birthday with us here in Key West. We hope we've made it a day to remember.
(Anna) I’m FINALLY 17!!! I woke up this morning to Mimi climbing in my bed to sing happy birthday to me.
She got me a BEAUTIFUL ring from a jeweler (at a crafts fair) in Key West and we kicked off the festivities.
We had a yummy eggs breakfast and a slow start to the morning before heading to the butterfly conservatory- for real this time.
I can’t even begin to describe this place- when you walked in everything was green and butterflies were flying everywhere. Like to the point where when you were walking you were a little bit afraid you would run into one and crush it. Some flew alone and others chased each other around, seemingly unaware that we were all watching.
We took our time walking through the garden because I was totally determined to get a butterfly to land on me. Papa got one first and then Mimi and Evan both got one- I was sure that the butterflies were avoiding me at this point. Eventually, on the tail end (of the tour) one landed on my shirt, once it left, another one came to my wrist and then they all started coming to us and it was AMAZING.
We all had a great time watching the butterflies and taking pictures of them, especially on the way out when Mimi had one land in her hand and one stayed on her hand!
After that, we had to stop at the southernmost point buoy as a tourist ritual to get our picture taken 90 miles from Cuba!
Then we cleaned up a little and headed down to Margaritaville for my 17thbirthday dinner. Evan was beyond excited to get a cheeseburger in paradise, and I was thrilled to get a strawberry daiquiri (without the alcohol don’t worry adults!) Afterwards we walked down Duval Street taking it all in before heading back to the RV for some pecan pie and ice cream.
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| Come here little butterfly! |
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| Evan decides, after introducing himself, that this young lady is kissable |
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| A street performer delights us as he drums on paint cans. |
Friday, January 19th
(Anna) Today we got up early and headed to the Key West Lighthouse. They had a cute little museum kinda like Cape Lookouts and a garden area with sculptures and chickens surrounding the lighthouse.
When we went up to climb it the stairs were SO tiny it was insane I was not a fan but Evan killed it running up and down twice. We could see the whole island from the top and it was gorgeous so we hung out at the top for a good amount of time.
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| Evan can carry on a conversation with anyone. However, he didn't have much luck with this lady. |
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| Anna can still be a little girl |
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| Evan never saw a tree he couldn't climb |
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| Ugh! |
Then we headed home and got all cleaned up for a fancy dinner with the gang (Bob, Lynn, Steve, Linda, Butch and other Linda.)
We got so much good food for super cheap with the locals discount (since the gang technically lives here - at least for the winter).
Then we headed back to the base where everyone got together in Steve and Linda’s RV for a surprise birthday cake for me. It was the sweetest thing and there was ice cream and they all sang and were just so smiley. I loved it. Mimi and Papa have insanely awesome friends.
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| A very special night with very special friends celebrating my 17-year-old granddaugher'sbirthday |
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| Anna has never been surrounded by so much white hair on her birthday |
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| It is so hard to believe that this beautiful young lady was once this beautiful baby. |
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| The four-generations the Christmas before Anna's first birthday |
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| Just chillin' in Key West |
The weather has not cooperated with our plans this week. One of the things we wanted to do the most while the kids were here was to take them out on the power boat to Sand Key for some snorkeling. However, the winds have been a little too much all week to do so.
We've been able to do just about everything else we had planned. And finally, a good day to go sailing.
(Anna) TODAY WAS WARM! Actually, every day has been warm compared to home. But today was warm by Key West standards.
We took full advantage of the nice winds and warm weather and got out on 2 hobbies with Papa and Steve.
Evan and I sailed them several miles to just offshore at the RV campground and part of the way back.
When we got tired Papa and Steve took over and sailed in a super tight formation- literally close enough for Evan and me to jump and switch boats.
It was insanity and so much fun.
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| Evan gets ready for the swap and Steve and I sail close formation |
That night we got showered and headed down to Mallory Square to watch all the street performers.
There was a super weird cat dude, an incredible juggler, a few fortune tellers and comedians, and a bunch of craft booths.
I ended up buying a super cute ring this lady made just cause it’s so unique and cute. After that we walked down to Mimi’s favorite restaurant (Two friends and a patio) for some good food and we ended the night walking down Duval Street checking out all the crazy people!
Sunday, January 21
(Anna) Today was our last full day in Key West so we took full advantage of the FINALLY good weather. Mimi, Linda and I layed out for a while to work on my tan so I had something to show for back home while Papa called watersports places to see what we could do today.
He ended up finding a jetski place where both Evan and I could drive, so we were set!
We got our wetsuits back on and drove down there for a Jet Ski tour around the island.
Mimi and I had one jetski while Evan and Papa were on another. We had some guided parts where we rode in a line as well as a free for all session where we could go as fast as we wanted and do whatever we wanted. We traded drivers, so Evan was driving one and Mimi driving ours. It was INCREDIBLE!
By the time we got home we decided to just call it a night and pack up since the next day would be a super early morning.
Monday, January 22
Our last days with the kids on this trip. It has been a wonderful week "playing" with them. We've been doing things that we don't normally get to do just because they're with us. It makes for a great "memory maker".
(Anna) We got up at the crack of dawn this morning intending to fill the day with as much as we possibly could. Evan and I packed up our suitcases and we hit the road at 7:30. We had said goodbye to the gang last night so we hit the road with no delays.
We made it to Marathon by the time the Dolphin Research Center opened and stayed there until around 11:30. We got to see several dolphin performances, iguanas, sea lions, and exotic birds. Everyone loved the beautiful dolphins and how well trained they were!
Too soon we had to leave to make our final leg back to Miami for our plane ride back. Mimi and Papa were able to take us to security, so Evan and I said bye to them and went in to explore the airport before our flight.
Back to cold weather!!!
