Day Trip from Key West

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WARNING! THE FOLLOWING IMAGES MAY CAUSE INTENSE LAUGHTER, SEVERE LONGING AND SENSORY OVERLOAD!

Today was an amazing day. April and I woke up bright and early get some work done and then headed out for breakfast at the charming and easy to fall in love with - Blue Heaven on Thomas Street. This restaurant, loved by Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney to name a few, is a whimsical Key West classic. The decor is shanky shack with an artistic twist. Most people dine in the outside courtyard where there is a very cool wooden bar with a huge Indiana Jones type fan and canopy. The big draw, beside the delicious food and friendly wait staff, are the roosters, chickens, baby chicks and cats! It feels like you are entering THEIR home. You are THEIR guests and they want to make you feel welcome. I can't explain the odd thrill you get when sitting at a table, outside in the Key West sunshine, with little baby chicks and roosters scampering around your feet. It is both cute and extremely silly and to some very disgusting. Here we are munching on our (delicious) pancakes and right next to our feet there is a mamma chicken digging a hole with her little chicken feet for her baby chicks to sleep in! Luckily I caught this cute act on video. I had a severe case of the giggles at this point for two reasons. First, the rooster was chasing every chicken around and running over peoples feet and some VERY refined looking older couples were VERY grossed out by this. He seemed very cranky OR amorous -- you choose. He definitely had a frisky attitude. Second, April was getting redder by the minute. The Key West sun seemed to zoom in on her cheeks. I asked if she wanted to grab suntan lotion. Nope. I told her she should wear lotion. Nope. Ape looked like the cat from Alice in Wonderland. Big smile, white teeth and not much more. Her face seemed to disappear in the hot sunshine. I felt trippy for a moment. Roosters running around, April's teeth shining and pancakes...hmmm??? After yet another amazing experience at Blue Heaven we reluctantly got up to leave. We said goodbye to the adorable, old and very happy cat resting on the porch and the one-eyed cat cleaning him/herself out front. We could've stayed there all day but we had plans and Ape needed a cool breeze to cool her cheeks down! Woah!

Our plan for the day was to drive from Key West to Islamorada about a 2 hour (very scenic) drive. We wanted to see the keys in their vibrant (and boy were they VIBRANT) hues of blue and green. The day did not disappoint. Within moments we were greeted with sweeping views of emerald/turquoise water. Water so shallow and so vivid at times it appeared milky white! My sensory button hit overload and I was a goner. Ape couldn't stop grinning and laughing at me. I had never seen such beauty. The scenery was beyond our expectations as it was low tide which added to the colorful hues. I had to stop and take pictures of almost EVERYTHING. I could never grow tired of this image. How could you? It is breathtaking and surreal. We spent a lot of time in the Southwest and Rockies and nothing even comes close to the beauty of the Florida Keys and Panhandle's waters. As much as I love Destin -- the water here, this time -- was more impressive! I couldn't believe it. I never knew so many hues of green and blue existed. The views were vast and empty with an occasional exotic bird here and there. We drove past mesmerizing Bahia Honda State Park/Beach (a MUST do when visiting the keys), the seven mile bridge, Marathon, several other keys and my 2nd favorite outside of Key West -- Islamorada. We stopped for a very nice hike at Anne's Beach and saw two guys trying to wind-surf, a nice couple sun-tanning and the salty landscape from the beach being at low-tide. It was almost TOO beautiful. Surreal is the only word that truly sums it up. It felt like we were on a different planet or, at least on a far off Caribbean island. Everyone PLEASE take this drive! Here are some tips. If traveling in the winter be on the road between 11am-3pm for the most vivid colors. If the summer, the colors last from 11am-6pm. After that, the sun starts to set and adds a different glow to the area, although still beautiful, colors are at their best earlier in the day. Stop at Holiday Isle for a drink or snack and some shopping when in Islamorada. Visit Anne's Beach for a nice walk and a must, must do is Bahia Honda State Park. This beach is beautiful and clean. The water seems to glow. There is a great restaurant on the right hand side of the road when heading to Key West called Mangrove Mamma's. Stop here for a quick bite or drink -- it's adorable and filled with locals and tourists.

After our day of exploring and taking pictures we were tanned (Ape was sunburned), tired and feeling a little flushed from the wind. We grabbed a piece of delicious key lime pie from the Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory. The Blond Giraffe has several locations throughout Key West and won best key lime pie for the past several years. It is delicious. Once again -- not too tart--not too sweet -- just right. Creamy with meringue. Jimmy Buffett's is still my favorite but this one is a VERY close second -- too good. After our little desert we headed back to our room. It was almost 6pm at this point. Back at the room we worked and then decided to stay in for the night. We were both REALLY flushed and April VERY burnt so much her face got puffy! She looked like a wounded soldier! I told her to lie down and put a wet towel on her head. She was so warm but it was cool out. I felt so bad! She looked so cute all bunched up on the coach with her rosy cheeks. If only she bought that suntan lotion BEFORE being in the sun all day (she finally stopped at a Walgreen's to buy lotion AFTER being out all day)! Oyie, April.

We knew we were in for the night so we ordered Chinese delivery which was pretty good. Ape was in her glory watching one of favorite shows, 24 and I got lots of work done. I am now heading off to bed -- it is 11pm. Tomorrow we are going to Bahia Honda and Duval Street for Mardi Gras!

Until then....

Happy Travels!

Desiree

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