The Florida Keys, Islamorada in particular
The Captain and I celebrated his birthday down in the Florida Keys, which is always a relaxing and laid-back environment.
You might ask why one would want to “get away for a few days” when one is already living in paradise, and rightly so. ;0
BUT leave it we did and drove the 4 hours down to one of the islands in the Florida Keys!
Islamorada to be exact!
The Captain in our cottage….
We stayed at a little cottage right on the beach, very private!
No phones, computers etc!
Just the sound of the surf, an occasional seagull calling overhead and sand in our toes!
The Captain and I enjoyed the quiet evening walks along the beaches, just the two of us.:)
View from our cottage.
We ate at wonderful little restaurants by the water! (There was a little kitchenette in our cottage, but we didn’t use it except for morning coffees and hot teas)
On one of the many docks we visited, this brown pelican was right at my feet, just waiting to dip into the water for fish.
Then he swooped down and in his beak, he has his breakfast!
I love walking on beaches and sand in my toes. 🙂
The large sea turtles are a protected species and when “spotters” find a nest buried in the sand…they stake it out and surround it with yellow tape.
The date the nest was found is on the stake, July 2nd and the hatching should take place around August 21.
The hatching data is on the stake.
Last year we were walking along a beach in Sarasota and actually saw the tracks or markings in the sand as the sea turtle made her nest! It was awesome!
We saw many Royal Poinciana Trees,(and if I would have remembered my camera, this photo would have been beautiful!) 🙂
There’s an intensity to the red that I’m not able to capture with an IPhone! ;( We have these same trees in Cape Coral, though not quite as abundant.
I love to watch fish in action in and around docks as they are constantly swimming.
These are tarpon.
Sting rays joined the tarpon under the dock.
I call them small tarpon, they are about 20-30 inches long here, however, they can grow to be about 4–8 ft long and weigh 60–280 lbs.
(Females can lay up to 12 million eggs at once)
Those little ladies are quite productive, I would say! 🙂
The heavens open up in the early mornings at sunrise! Spectacular!
The ocean never ceases to amaze me with all it’s beauty, especially when looking at sunrises and sunsets, glistening on the waves!
Footprints in the sand, and my big toe! 🙂
A bright green Iguana, about a foot long from head to tail.
They eat vegetation, but they are really pretty! 😉
The early morning results of a fisherman as he prepares the restaurants’ catch of the day, the Mangrove fish.
A turtle on Alligator Alley
It was such a relaxing drive down to the Keys and back up, on the Old Alligator Alley, right through the Everglades.
We drove with the top down on the convertible, a gift from the Captain to me about 2 years ago.
We avoided the Interstate, which would have been a lot quicker, but not as enjoyable!
This way we were able to stop and see the “critters” such as this turtle, and of course the alligators!
We were only away for a few days, Tuesday through Thursday, but it was a very relaxing time.
Do you plan a get-a-way this year and if so, where are you going?
The United States has beautiful places to see right here in our own back yard.
If you have not visited any of the islands in the Keys, or Key West, which is the Southernmost Point in the United States, please try to do so.
Have a great week-end!
Blessings Always
Sounds like a lovely vacation! I love the keys, we drove down to Key West once after flying to Miami, it was so much fun!’
Jenna
Thanks Jenna…it is so relaxing down there. I find Key West, a little too much excitement for me if I am need lots of R&R! Thanks for stopping by.
Lovely pictures of your getaway. I am about to go through round two of cancer treatment so getting away won’t be happening in the near future ( don’t t mean to be a bummer). I love my house and yard though so it’s like a vacation sitting out in my patio and enjoying summer. Always enjoy your posts and recipes.
I am so sorry about those horrible treatments, as I know they can be hard to bear. You are in my prayers, sweet Linda…. and know that I care. Hang in there girl. Hugs
LOVELY PHOTOS KARI. THANKS FOR SHARING. WISH THE CAPTAIN A HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ME. PJ
thanks PJ….Hope all is well with you….Have a great day!
Dear Kari, Thx so much for sharing your trip with us. The photos were really good and I could share a little of the peace and tranquility in the photos. Your travelogues are great.
Annie
Thanks Annie….come down and see us! Bring all the family…we have plenty of room!
How is Jane doing?
Me
I’ve been wanting to take that trip. Weird, but I’m scouting out Cypress when the Keys are right in my back yard. I like the idea of driving Alligator Alley because I have not done that trek either. Thanks for posting that review. My neighbor has a huge Royal Poinciana, which has the most interesting seed pods. (We thought it was Royal Poinsetta):)
Hey Donna…are you keeping cool up in the far North? Yes, the drive is a good one and there are lots of pottery places as well as nursery after nursery that sell plants and palms which are very reasonable…in fact, a lot of the sellers up here… go down around Homestead and Florida City to bring plants back up here to sell. (so obviously a pretty good profit…after driving down and back)
Me 🙂
Thanks my “dancing friend across the pond”….there are so many nests on all the beaches…perhaps some will be hatching when you come down. The dash for the sea by the babies is phenomenal.
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Me
What a lovely review of your trip and I love the photos too. You’ll have to go back and watch the turtles hatch… Hugs from the UK
Come down and stay with us and we will take you to the Keys….the welcome mat is always out!
thanks for stopping by Sandy.
Me
With all the times we’ve been to Florida, we haven’t been to the Keys. Thanks for a great post, Kari.