“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya…. Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama…. Key Largo, Montego… Baby, why don’t we go…. Off the Florida Keys…”
Day four of our Florida adventure had us playing The Beach Boys on Spotify as we sang at the top of our lungs! The Florida Keys had always been a place that Cavin and I had wanted to visit, and going to Key West is actually what had inspired our whole trip.
It was only the week before when Cavin had declared matter of factly… “Next Tuesday we are going to drive to Key West!” I knew that he had already made up his mind, so there was no need in trying to talk him out of it. The best thing for me to do was pack my bags and embrace it! This was going to be something we would talk about for the rest of our lives!
The past two years have been hard for everyone…. 2020 brought the pandemic to the whole world… 2021 brought Covid to our home along with some other unexpected challenges.
As 2022 began, we were hopeful that it would be a great year. However, just a few hours into 2022 we got a call that Cavin’s dad had fallen ill and was in a Nashville hospital. We rushed to his bedside to spend precious time with him. We had seen his body become weaker and weaker over the past few years, and this time he would not recover. Just two weeks into the new year, we said our goodbyes to my father-in-law as he went to his heavenly home.
The following month, Cavin fell ill himself with the Shingles Virus. Our hopes of a worry-free 2022 had been dashed once again. The stress was taking a toll, and Cavin and I realized that we needed time to detach so that we could be renewed. That’s what led us to take a road trip and drive through the state of Florida.
During this trip, I felt myself loosen up and laugh…. not the obligatory half laughs that I catch myself faking from time to time. I’m talking about those all-out belly laughs that are truly medicine for the soul. Those times when it seems that we have no cares in the world. This trip had found Cavin and me belting out songs as we drove on the back roads of Florida. We were laughing more and just enjoying careless unplanned days that allow for adventure and the unexpected blessings of being with the person you love most in the world.
As we left the hotel in Homestead, Florida… we took off for the unknown world of the Florida Keys. The keys are all connected by U.S Hwy. 1 and to drive to Key West, you actually have to go through all the lesser-known Keys to get there… and you can’t be in a hurry on this mostly two-lane highway.
We left early for the 2-and-a-half-hour drive. We wanted to make it to Key West by mid-morning to take it all in! Over 100 miles and 42 bridges connect 34 islands. Homestead led us to Key Largo and Key Largo turned into Islamorada which led to Marathon, Big Pine Key, and the Lower Keys. We finally made it to our destination… the southernmost point of the United States.
The island was full of tourists – including two from Brewton, Alabama! We were ready to absorb all the beauty and history of this place in a span of one day! Our first stop was the Butterfly Conservatory. This was an amazing adventure. I’ve never in my life seen such beauty packed into such a small area. There were literally thousands of butterflies wafting about in an enclosed jungle area.
Next, we hiked the short distance to the actual point which is ninety miles from Cuba – the most southern point of the United States. The line was long as tourists waited for their opportunity to take their own photos at this site. No need for us to wait in line. We just took a photo from across the street. As we walked through town, we went back in time to 1928 when Ernest Hemingway arrived on the island to a place of retreat to write and live a simpler life.
Our next adventure was climbing up the 88 steps of the lighthouse that overlooks the waters. Around step 39, I was having second thoughts about this endeavor but continued on with every ounce of energy that I had. The views were worth the effort it took to reach the top. It was amazing to see such beautiful sites high above the trees.
Now to go back down…. that may have actually been a little scarier than going up… and I started to realize that my knees are not what they used to be…. The main thing was…. we did it! We accomplished the feat of climbing the lighthouse and going back down again! We visited the museum of the lighthouse keeper and found it quite interesting to learn about the daily tasks required to accomplish this role.
There was one more thing we still had to do, and that was eat a slice of Key Lime Pie. I had never realized before this trip that Key Lime Pie originated in Key West in the 1930s. Many restaurants on the island claim to have the best Key Lime Pie. We found a spot that is a restaurant and bakery and decided to go in. Their Key Lime Pie has a lime base with a 2-inch high meringue. Cavin and I both loved the pie and it truly hit the spot on this hot day!
Moondog Cafe and Bakery got the Key Lime Pie just right. The tanginess of the key lime base twisted our taste buds a little and the fluffy meringue had a light and airy texture. Since arriving back home, I have become consumed with making my own homemade Key Lime Pie. I actually found a great recipe and gave it a try.
Key West is a city where so many worlds come together. Tropical meets culinary…culinary meets literary… literary meets tourism… the past meets the present…. I’m so glad that Cavin and I had a chance to visit this southern spot. Most of all, I’m glad that Cavin and I had a chance to get away from everyday life and live in our own little world, even if only for a little while!
This fourth day of our adventure had been a success. We had reached our destination of Key West. We had accomplished our goal… on so many levels… We felt like we were at the top of the world in the lighthouse and at the ends of the earth at the southernmost point of the United States. Our worlds had come together through laughter, deep conversations, sampling new foods and places, and sharing our hopes and dreams for the future.
Sampling the South…in the southernmost city in the U.S. where so many worlds come together!
