Destination: Key West, Florida
Purpose: Connect time with husband, relax, and as a business owner- a smidge of working/ board meeting remotely

While we were there, we checked out Hemingway’s house and his 6-toed prophylactic cats. Pictured are both his pool and the “last red cent” he threw down when he returned home from cavorting with his future wife in Europe. His current (at the time) wife was none too pleased about his travel and put in a pool while he was gone. He accused her of spending his “last red cent” installing this beautiful in-ground pool. It wasn’t a smooth marriage…

The Arts and Culture Museum and Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum were both excellent stops. The Shipwreck Museum left a lot to be desired. The viewing tower was damaged by Hurricane Irma and closed. I’ll consider our entrance fee to that one a donation towards rebuilding after the hurricane.

Truly, there are fantastic fruity both non-alcoholic and spirited drinks all over Key West. Did you know they don’t put pickles in their Bloody Mary’s down there? Maybe that’s just a Midwest USA thing….

Food was expensive. The Inn we stayed at on Duval had a continental breakfast, so we appreciated the simple breakfast most mornings. We ate well while we were on the island. It was March Madness basketball and our team was in the Elite 8, so we ate and watched at Jack Flatts two nights.

One morning, we took in a French bakery. Another afternoon, the French restaurant “La Petit Paris” had delectable sandwiches. We visited the Hog’s Breath for appetizers. After a warm day on the water, we enjoyed dinner at the “Old Town Mexican Café.” Our final evening meal was at the Blue Macaw with live music.

Traveling the island. Bring comfortable walking shoes or sandals! We walked EVERYWHERE with two exceptions: 1) the airport to Duval Street, and 2) Uber to the harbor and airport. The taxi drivers were absolutely crazy drivers. Uber drivers seem to be a bit more careful with their vehicles… and the pedestrians walking along the roads.

I found a good book, “The Pink Suit,” on a shelf at our Inn. There was also a nice hammock by the pool. Fantastic combination! The iguana wasn’t by our place. He was down by the docks on a bush. Silly creature wasn’t the least bit concerned about us. That speaks to the full-to-the-brim population on the Key.

This is Ryan. He was on our fishing expedition. I was just getting ready to stick my finger in the mouth of a fish to take out the hook and throw him back. That’s what we do with fish in the Midwest. Apparently, reef fish have hidden teeth… and I would have had a new finger ornament until we got back to shore. It would have looked lovely with my curly, wind blown boat hair, and sun-encouraged freckles.

Ryan was excellent. I highly recommend our outfitter “Gulfstream Fishing.” It was $65/ person plus the license for 6 hours. The boat held multiple parties. Food and drink were available on the boat. Everyone was friendly and helpful!

We only had 5 days for the entire trip including the travel portion, but we made it worthwhile. Neither of us are big partiers, so there wasn’t any table dancing. (haha) Naps, drinks, food, sightseeing, a day on the water with fishing, and reading. We had the conversations that connect us as a married couple, not just business partners. We hit the topics that needed to be covered outside the walls of our office. Flirting with each other and laughing is so refreshing!