This time I traveled with my Best Traveling Companion Ever (aka Paul). We flew into Miami, rented a car, and stayed in a waterfront home on Grassy Key (north end of Marathon in the Middle Keys) so that we could adventure both north and south from there. Also, we managed to miss the snow scare in Alabama, so our timing couldn't have been better!
We took an airboat tour (courtesy of Gator Park) of the Everglades National Park. We saw gators, turtles, and all kinds of birds!
We saw so many gorgeous sunsets... many right from our rental home's back door.
We learned about dolphin rescue at Dolphin Research Center, where they provide forever homes for animals in need -- animals who could not survive in the wild. It was touching to hear the way the trainers and all the employees cared about and were completely devoted to these dolphins and sea lions. I loved hearing about all of the different personalities. This is a nonprofit organization doing good work for the world.
We toured Key West. (Of course!) It made me feel close to my father, who traveled to Key West not long before he died. I loved thinking of us seeing the same things, walking the same pathways.
We met Hemingway's (55) cats at his former home - many of the cats are polydactyl (six-toed!).
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| Humphrey Bogart (I think! All the cats are named after movie stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.) |
We ate LOTS of seafood... and a little key lime pie (of course!). Our favorite restaurants: Green Turtle Inn in Islamorada and Burdine's in Marathon.
Also: these key lime muffins from Hariette's in Key Largo... almost worth the trip all by themselves! (And so good that Paul actually ate his dessert first, which, if you know Paul, is saying something! :)
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| key lime muffin |
And best of all? We took a sea plane out to Dry Tortugas National Park, where we explored Fort Jefferson, admired a gazillion shells, spotted so many birds, and dipped our toes in that glorious turquoise water.
It was a wonderful trip, but boy is good to be home!
Oh my, this trip sounds like one in heaven, Irene. All those adventures with sea creatures and I'm sure the fauna, too, plus sunsets. Makes me want to get there now! Happy that you had the Key West connection with your dad, too, & Hemingway.
ReplyDeleteso glad you and Paul had good adventures, but I know y'all and I bet the best part of this trip was getting home.
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