Dave’s mom, Ginny, decided to fly down to visit us for a week. She rented a lovely room at Banana Bay Resort (http://www.bananabay.com/). It’s a lush and tropical looking hotel with beautiful flowers, thriving green plants and a wonderful pool with a poolside tiki bar (which we enjoyed immensely!) She kept us on our toes, with constant activities and drinks!
The first day she arrived in town, we all went for a somewhat leisurely stroll along the Seven Mile Bridge. I say, somewhat leisurely because it was about 90 degrees out there with the sun reflecting off the water, very little breeze and we were sweating like jungle animals. At the end of Seven Mile, Pigeon Key is available to walk around to research the history of the train system that once chugged through the Keys.
Dave and Ginny took a trip out to Islamorada to check out Windley Key State Park (http://www.floridastateparks.org/windleykey/default.cfm). They went on a half mile hike with almost no one around. It was really quiet and they enjoyed learning about the different trees that inhabit the Keys. Afterwards, they had a beautiful sunset dinner with Fourth of July fireworks at Sunset Bar and Grille.
Dave also had a chance to take Ginny onto Wave Dancer to see what all the commotion was all about.
We all took a drive out to Key West. Dave and I both enjoyed our time out there more than we had before. We did ‘tourist’ type things that we normally wouldn’t do. We first toured the Truman Little White House (http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/). We stopped and had a fantastic lunch at BEAUTIFUL Kelly’s (it was more like eating in a botanical garden!).
We explored historic downtown Key West. It was spectacularly green and tropical. It’s by far the most interesting and entertaining part of the city.
We took a tour of Key West Shipwreck Museum (http://www.shipwreckhistoreum.com/). It showcases a history of Key West wreck salvaging, which was a basis for the cities development, growth and wealth. It was the wealthiest city per capita in the U.S. in the late 1800’s due to it’s salvaging practice.
We had to stop into the Jimmy Buffet’s Original Margaritaville to have some cool drinks. I know he’s a cultural icon here, but I still don’t think he’s a talented musician. I don’t care what anyone says. But, his drinks ARE good. I’ll give that to him.
We visited Marathon’s Turtle Hospital (http://www.turtlehospital.org/). We had such a great time wandering the facility, observing all the rehabilitating turtles. They have a great program there, we were happy to have been a brief part of it.
Loggerhead Turtle
The last day we all went swimming at Sombrero Beach. We had to get Ginny into the Key’s warm, blue waters. It was a bittersweet goodbye. We had such a great time with her down here, we were happy to share her vacation with her. Here’s one last great shot of Dave and his mom at Banana Bay Resort right before she headed off for her flight.
Aww, they're matching! Isn't that cute!
huzzhah for good times with loved ones
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