Biscayne Bay to Key West

We had heard mixed stories about Key West, so were a bit conflicted as to whether we wanted to venture down so far south.  However, with some prompting and help from Debbie, we decided to continue on from the Everglades.  While the rest of the US was dealing with record breaking snows, we felt the cold front in the form of low 60's and RAIN.  Wow, did it rain.  Homestead is a interesting town that houses part of Biscayne Bay.  It's a national park that is 90% underwater.  We were excited to try out our snorkeling gear and enjoy the bay, but the weather was windy making the bay murky.  The kids had completed the Junior Ranger programs for all three parks (Big Cypress, Everglades and Biscayne Bay) and got a cool extra badge.

Now those are some teeth!

Elise learns about what the inside of a turtle shell looks like

Their pledge and badge #21

Dressed to snorkel, but alas, it was not in the cards today 

What to do?  Explore the massive trees!  And, get kicked off by a grumpy man.

Debbie introduces Elise to Hubba Bubba

Even though we didn't get to snorkel the Bay, we ventured into south Miami to see how the rich and famous live.  Houses were beautiful and traffic was CRAZY!  We kept going over the bridges towards South Beach, but decided to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant called the Cantena.  As the gps directed us, we realized we were headed into the Ritz Carlton hotel.  Very out of the Johnson comfort zone, but we watched the valet leave with the truck and were escorted to the restaurant on the beach. We had a delicious, but very expensive dinner with the kids eyeing the heated pool the whole time.  We decided they could take a dip afterwards, which they enjoyed immensely.  I couldn't quite muster the courage to jump in with them. 

Exhausted after swimming in the 95 degree Ritz pool

The day we left for the Keys, we had a downpour, which did not let up.  Packing up the RV was not a pleasant task.  We made our way to Homestead AFB, where we left the RV and trailer for the weekend.  We had two nights set on the Navy base in Key West with assurances that a third night would be no problem if we decided to stay longer.  More on that story soon.

The townhouse on base was typical basic base housing and an interesting look at what families live in on base. We drove around the base to discover what the newer housing is like and what officers housing is like.  Unbelievable.  Oceanfront properties on beautiful streets.  The kids got a glimpse of the benefits of being part of the military.  Especially with a Key West assignment!

In front of the townhouse with Debbie's rented "day care van" (the kids LOVED it)

Officer housing with the Gulf in the backyard

A nice street on base lined up to the Gulf of Mexico

We took a conch tour of old and new town.  Roosters, roosters everywhere.  They are a protected bird there and are free to roam and illegal to poach.  The trees are so beautiful and the downtown is a mix of stores, great eateries, traditions and very laid back, happy people.  

Mile marker 0 is prominent all over the island

Strange sponge guy

A great street performer that captured our attention.  Guy ended up racking in hundreds.

So, back to our story about the Navy townhouse reservations.  We woke up Sunday and began to get ready for our big day on the water.  We had passes to an all day "all in one" boating excursion.  We had a full fridge, clothes on the floor and an hour to get to the dock.  Debbie returned from the office and gave us the news that the townhouse was booked.  We needed to be packed and out of the house AND we had no place for Debbie's two old dogs (nor a place to stay that night).  I was slightly, just slightly panicked.  Debbie, however, our crisis manager calmly stated, "I'll find someone to watch the dogs, just watch."  We quickly packed up all our stuff, throwing all of it in the two cars.  Debbie skirted off and came back without the dogs.  She had asked the first person she saw, a woman running, if she'd mind watching the dogs for the day.  Guess what??? The woman said "sure".  I was blown away.  Number one, who asks a complete stranger to watch their two dogs for the day and number two, what stranger says "yes"?!  My little world is opening up.  

We continued on our way to the dock, found a great Cuban sandwich place and headed out on a beautiful, calm day.  The captain of our boat called Sunset told our small group of 41 people, that his boat is normally at full capacity of 140.  His crew took us three miles off the coast and threw down the anchor.  We all marveled at the day ahead......inflatable slides, trampoline, banana boats, para sailing, jet skiing, snorkeling an old sunken ship.  There were kayaks and canoes, flippers and snorkels.  After eyeing numerous jellyfish and watching one person quickly get stung, we all opted for the wet suits.  It did feel a bit silly to be the only family fully decked out in wet suits, but oh well. 

Boarding the boat with our stash of sandwiches

I don't know whose more excited in this photo!

My favorite shot from 300 feet up with Tanner, myself and Elise

Me, trying to capture the pure joy up there with the Go Pro

The jellyfish protected family right before entry!

The avalanche!

Matt, with his impressive jumping skills

The banana boat ride that lasted all of one minute due to the excessive sea water in the eyes

Us playing around with another family from Minnesota

The boys checking out the sunken ship ruins.  Water was a bit murky, but Matt and Debbie snorkeled it anyway.

One of many battles

Can you tell who won this one?

Overall, we really loved Key West.  In fact, we began to dream of a possible year here, somehow. Then, 6pm hit and we began to see the interesting nightlife.  We heard that three weeks ago, fantasy fest was in full bloom, and supposedly, it's enough to make grown men want to poke their eyes out. Not sure how family friendly Key West really is.  Boise, you just keep coming up number one.    

Coconuts!!

The kids found many coconuts in Key West. Today they decided to crack them open. 

Step 1:  retrieve the machete from Debbie's arsonal. 

2.  Train on correct use as to keep all limbs. Force down on coconut with the grain. 

3.  Drain coconut juice and peel meat out. 

4.  Wash and eat!!

Or if you are Tanner, figure out how to market and sell said coconut to fellow campers. 

Hello Sunshine State! Where's your sunshine?

I have nothing to complain about.  Boise, Idaho right now is covered in snow from a storm earlier this week and dipping into frigid single digit temperatures as I type, so really, I know that I have no complaints.  However, we are currently south of Miami in Homestead, Florida and it's COLD down here!  Today, temps are around 60 with a cold wind and people are dressed for winter.  On our bike ride this morning, I wore a shirt, sweatshirt and down jacket.  Elise, on the other hand, was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, but that's no surprise.  The arctic cold front has even hit southern Florida.  We have been traveling south since Maine with no looks back, further and further from Idaho until we will finally hit the southern most point of the USA in Key West, Florida.  I have to say, I'm praying for better weather as we embark on this southern trek, not for time on the beach, but just to be able to bike the towns comfortably.  We will be leaving our RV in Homestead on the Air Force base along with Debbie's Fifth Wheel and traveling over the 42 bridges (yes, I said 42) from the mainland to the tip of the Keys.  The longest bridge is 7 miles long and the shortest is 37 feet (yes, you can use that random information to win bets with your friends).  Then the slow and but steady trek north and west will begin......

Let's back up and talk about Florida now.  We arrived from Jekyll Island and were very excited to be near St. Augustine, Florida.  This is the town known to be the oldest in the USA with Spanish settlements in 1565, nearly 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown. It's got a great historical downtown, which has that beautiful Spanish flair.  I didn't get many photos because my husband and children were NOT excited to walk about the old city.  I have realized that there are places that I just need to explore with girlfriends.  If there is no playground, ice cream or bike trails around, my vote for how to spend our day is greatly outweighed. 

I stole this photo from the internet because I didn't get to take any myself.

We attempted to park, but even in the off season, this place is buzzing, and parking is at a premium, so after several attempts, we decided to check out the beach instead. 

Biking season is open at the local beach!

 It was a bit windy, so jacket were in order.  Our campsite was truly a bust with some scary looking characters surrounding us AND Elise got stung by a bee.  Her hand was swollen for days.  We found a nice recreational park that we spent our second day playing at and then headed south towards Orlando for a state park called Wekiwa Springs. 

We are getting used to these signs.  This was at a pond 15 feet from our camp site.

I must say, Florida has the BEST state parks.  This one, in particular was a God send from our last site in Augustine.  It had FULL hookups (for you non-RVer's, this is like gold to us with electrical, water and sewer availability).  This is the first state park we've ever had full hookups.  It was fantastic to get out of the city hustle and be in nature (although it's really smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood).  Debbie, our friend we met in Virginia, met up with us here.  We will travel together for the next month or so.  We were all thrilled to see her again. 

Our camp site

Attempting the bike trail to the springs.  Scenery is like Vietnam.

The Springs is a beautiful area that is feed by the underground aquifer.  It has underground caves that draw scuba divers from all over.  We watched several divers go under for more than 2 minutes just holding their breath to explore.  We ended up getting scuba gear (thanks to Debbie) and she helped teach the boys about using the gear correctly. 

A dip the first night even in underwear!!!  Too tempting to pass up!

Just beyond that bridge, the alligators lie. 

I couldn't help by pose by this poster after we swam!

Football and dinner, not so bad for a camp site!

Biggest orange grasshopper I've ever seen.  These and geckos are everywhere.

Sea World here we come!!!  Part of the reason we stayed near Orlando was to be close to Sea World for a day with Shamu.  The boys wrote all about Sea World on their blog, so I'll be short, but it was truly a GREAT day.  They have added some new acts including a great "Pets Ahoy" show.  It was cats, dogs, pot bellied pigs, a rat, skunk, ducks and even a Cockatoo (much to Tanner's delight).  All rescue animals trained to put on this timed show, climbing, driving, pushing buttons.....truly a sight to see.  We had a great family day. 

The biggest character whom the kids got to pet afterwards.

A childhood dream to feed and touch a dolphin!!! Very rubbery feeling

A ride where you end up watching real penguins in a very cold habitat.  Alex was thrilled!

The dolphins were mesmerizing.  We watched them interact like children with the people.

Shamu, the killer whale show still amazes me every time I see it.  The trainers no longer get in the water with the whales after one of the trainers was killed a few years ago.

While the boys rode big rides, the girls found cool Shamu trees and rode the kids rollercoasters!

  Aside from Shamu, we were super excited to go to Aunt Marjy's house.  It would be our first time away from the RV in over three months and I won't lie.....the idea of a little space was dreamy.  So, west we drove, dropped the RV and Debbie off at an RV park close to Marjy and went on to see her. 
We lost Uncle Bob this year, and it was nice to spend time with Marjy and to hear the wonderful stories of the Uncle we didn't get to know for long enough.  The kids swam in the beautiful 68 degree pool several times a day and loved on Marj and Tilly (their newest dog cousin). 

Elise jumped in the pool within minutes of arriving, even in the dark

I'm sure Tanner will appreciate these photos later on in life

After a hot shower, this girl is one happy child.  Marjy has the BEST shower ever.

Tilly proved to be a great kid dog as she was slept on, dressed up and cuddled relentlessly

Alex enjoys the pool.  Check out that view.

My favorite feature of Marjy's house....wall size sliding glass doors

Auntie Marjy and miss Elise

 On our way to see the Manatee's that live migrate to a power plant just a few miles from Marjy's house. These gentle giants were so neat to watch.  There were at least 30 as far as the eye could see in the water.

The kids enjoy a hurricane simulation

Mystery dinner at Marjy's. We were helping clean out food from multiple friges and found a nice looking pie. Marjy had no recollection of making the pie. We baked it and all took guesses of what we might be eating for dinner. The kids loved testing it out and finally the concesus was in. All thumbs up for the Mexican pie!