Spring Break 2019
It was somewhat of a haphazardly planned trip, but in the end, we managed to escape the hustle bustle of it all and found ourselves in Key West, Florida.
Part of the issue with scheduling was, come to find out, Robert had some meetings he was required to go to. So, unlike we had originally planned, we now had to wait until late Wednesday to leave rather than a weekend departure.
It started a few months ago really, (when I thought I was being super proactive in even starting to think about a spring break trip). We decided we wanted to travel to a beach somewhere…anywhere with white sands and warm waters. We looked around and decided it was taking a lot of time so back tabled it…a while. Fast forward a little bit. And I realize we are no longer ahead of the game. Now time is of the essence. We also realized that to go out of the country Madelyn would need a passport…and of course, we were in the middle of a government shut down. So, I start searching for US beaches. I then realize that in the US in early March temps MIGHT not be pool/beach suitable. So I then start searching for the southernmost options…and of course I find the Florida Keys.
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We both worked Monday, Maddie had a play date with Brielle. Her first time to go over to someone else’s house for that! She did great I head and had a blast!
Then Tuesday it was just us girls for the day! We slept in/packed then met some friends for some rainy day fun.
Me and my twinkie
This girl was in her element! Here she is doing a mosaic. She also did pottery painting.
Candice and Ryan.
Jessica and Makayla.
The Group.
Their creations.
My creation. Oh you know, call me Pinterest Mama ;)
We got home and I packed...while Maddie crafted some more. I love these I think we have a craft-o-holic on our hands!
Waiting on Daddy to get off his meeting so the Sedas can head out to some sunny weather.
All aboard! Starting to get a little worried because we were delayed boarding and we had a tight connection…
Boo and Bunny always seem to travel with us
Well, we missed the connecting flight; we basically landed on the tarmac in Miami at the time our other flight was leaving for Key West. I had worried about this the whole flight which essentially made it a long flight, and clearly did not good anyway. We stood in line to basically be told we would not get another flight until the next day, late AM…oh, and there were no more hotels for the night in Miami. Ok, plan B. We rented a car and planned to make a 3.5 hour commute. No big deal usually, but unfortunately it was now midnight. But, we figured that was still the best way to see the sun the quickest. However, once again, we were disappointed when after standing in another long line that our luggage could not be picked up but rather would be on the flight we were supposed to on the following day. So basically we would have nothing to sleep in for the night or swimwear for the following day. Great. Well, add plan b to big plan B. Insert drive by to Wal Mart on our way to Key West…now coming in on 1am. My favorite thing to do after a long travel day…try on bathing suits at 1am in a Wal Mart in Florida City, Florida. Ha, you would be surprised to know that there were people there trying on clothes at that time of day?! God was with me, the first suit (and really only I could find) worked (and I stress worked – as in, not my most flattering piece). We grabbed some night gowns, toothpaste and were back on the road. Though we ended up traveling through all the Florida Keys, unfortunately we were unable to see anything at this time of day.
Ahhh, we finally made it around 4am to Casa Marina. It looked very nice inside. We called them as soon as we heard of the delay so they did not think we no showed. They even called to check on us when they knew we were a little behind our arrival time (we will blame it on the Wal Mart detour). So when we finally opened the door to our room you can imagine all of our disappointment to see this. Yep, looks like it had failed to be cleaned after the last tenant. :(
Well, third strike and this Mama was about ready to head back home. But, they finally got us a room for the night and we made our way there and fell into bed.
We all slept in later than any of us ever have (10 am Florida time) and through on our new swimsuits and were ready for hopefully sunny skies after a few storms.
Ahhh, here we are FINALLY getting to enjoy the sun.
Day 2 – Casa Marina, Key West Florida (Day 1 was the debacle above)
The hotel did try and make it up to us…so they gave us a cabana to use for free for the day!
We swam the day away…
We walked the beach…which I learned the hard way, is a rare find on any of the Keys…hence our planned stay on Key Cottages, a private island off of Key West. Maddie did not love the beach at Casa Marina, so we spent most of our time at the pool which was very nice.
Italian ice!
Lunch by the pool. We left our diets at home ;)
We finished the day at a local Italian place and had our first taste of local Key Lime pie, a must while in the Keys! It was a good day to finish off what started off pretty rocky.
For night two, they really tried to make it up to us, so they upgraded us to a suite. Ha, we had two bedrooms and all ended up sleeping in a big King bed up in the loft.
We woke that AM knowing we would soon be leaving for the Island for some beach time. So we ate breakfast…
And we swam until we planned to depart for the island.
Then we headed to town where we would have to take a boat over to the island.
We did some sightseeing.
Maddie loved trying to locate the local roosters roaming around! She’s our little Eagle Eye!
I see you!
We then headed to the Southernmost tip of the US (ha, the google search that led us here in the first place!)
We cooled off and re fueled.
Then boarded for the Island
Ha, this was not our ship, we boarded a small boat in front of this :)
We finally made it to the island. It was gorgeous! Perfectly manicured, so quiet and tranquil…it was worth the wait! A local said Oprah rented the whole island a few years back for Maya Angelo’s birthday.
Beach pictures galore below. For our short time there (two nights) we did a whole lot of beach relaxing, hunting for sea shells, exploring, fishing, swimming, and of course eating! I think the pictures will attest.
Seashell hunting, we found a gold mine!
Robert and Maddie waving at me from the Pier.
We had just as much fun looking at the pelicans as we did the roosters!
Our loot from Day 1.
Our room.
Maddie was so excited, she is in every picture just about because she was dancing around the place so happy. haha
Dinner time at Latitudes restaurant. It was a hit. We got to eat and see the sunset each night. It was perfect. I had the yellowtail snapper which was delicious. I have realized the I like not only white meat fish but also soft/flaky texture and the snappers seem to do it for me!
Maddie had the cheeseburger. haha. Daddy had a steak. Those two aren't much for change.
Some dinner time pictures.
Whew, I am going to have to divide this up, so many pictures. I will get around to part 2 at some point!
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