Final week, my 11-year-old Anton, his good friend Nick, and I have been very excited to take slightly jaunt to the Florida Keys…
Some time again, Alex advised that we every take a boy for February break, so we might get pleasure from some one-on-one time. He took Toby to go to household, and Anton BEGGED to go to Florida.
We selected the Florida Keys and, after obsessively researching lodges (would anybody desire a put up about selecting lodges? I’ve developed a multi-pronged technique at this level, and I’d love to listen to your strategies), I landed on Coconut Palm Inn in Key Largo.
The tiny bayside lodge wasn’t too splurgy, even for a one-bedroom suite with a settee mattress, and got here with so many free surprises and delights as soon as we arrived: breakfast muffins left outdoors our door, morning espresso, kayaks, fishing gear, ping pong, large Jenga, cornhole, pool toys, bikes, hammocks, sundown wine, s’mores… You’re not staying at a brilliant fancy place — there’s no on-site restaurant, for instance, or lengthy seaside to stroll on — however I LOVE a small lodge that looks like residence when you arrive, versus a resort that expenses one million hidden charges. (Two close by lodges that appear to have comparable vibes are the Atlantic Bay Resort and the Caribbean Resort.)
Kayaks and paddleboats have been stored close to the water, so we might stroll up and soar in anytime. We went on adventures across the bay, and Anton, Nick and I might preserve saying, “That is the life, you guys! Are you able to imagine this?”
The lodge scene felt like summer season camp, and we befriended one other household, who gave us a intelligent mnemonic system to recollect their names. “Peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” the dad instructed me. “Since we’re Peter, Bonnie, Jacob, and Samuel.” How sensible is that? Do you’ve one for your loved ones? Makes me need to determine one out for the boys and me.
Aside from swimming, using bikes, and asking me if they may drink extra Coke, the boys spent most of their days fishing. The lodge gave them frozen shrimp, rods, and hooks, and the opposite lodge company provided pointers. I didn’t know something about fishing, so I fortunately sat in one of many Adirondack chairs on the pier and browse my e book.
We stayed solely two nights, since they have been booked up after that, however we liked each minute.
After trying out, we drove an hour south to Marathon, Florida, to our second lodge. En route, we stopped at Aquarium Encounters…
…the place we might pet a child alligator…
…and feed tortoises, stingrays, and tarpon. Don’t you like the patterns on tortoises? They appear like artistic endeavors (type of like Serena Mitnik-Miller’s work).
Later that afternoon, we checked into Isla Bella for our final two nights. It was fancier — with 5 swimming pools and every day actions, like bingo and trivia — however I’m unsure I’d advocate it as a result of a) you get charged a lot of extras (resort charges, in a single day parking charges, and many others.) and b) we bought a smaller room than the one we’d booked, however each time I known as the entrance desk or stopped by, they’d inform me the supervisor was out or on an necessary telephone name.
I felt slightly like this man, haha.
However in fact it was high-quality (I simply gave up), and the seaside was stunning…
The boys performed soccer within the pool for HOURS. We met a household from Dublin, and I liked the mother’s phrasing when she instructed me, “Your lads are good enjoyable.”
Most necessary, on the drive again to the airport, we went via a drive-thru and located the world’s longest French fry!!! The entire journey was a lot enjoyable. I wasn’t positive if touring solo with two 11-year-olds can be exhausting, however they’re such an incredible age and sometimes performed collectively within the pool whereas I learn and stored a watch on them. In addition they nonetheless needed to hang around with me numerous the time, which I appreciated, and laughed at my dumb jokes (or at the very least stated “lol,” pronounced “lohl”). Thanks, Florida — we have been grateful for a blast of sunshine throughout this lengthy winter!
What about you? Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? What trip spots do you want or daydream about? I’d love to listen to…
P.S. The weirdest finest a part of journeys, extra household trip concepts, what’s your #1 journey tip?
