2017 Winter Getaway Day 5: Key West

Sunday was our 5th day of vacation and we decided to change things up a bit by driving southwest to the southernmost point of the continental US: Key West.

After another early rise and some breakfast at our hotel, we started on our journey with a stop shortly after for some Dunkin' Donuts.

Silly Selfies

View on US 1 to Key West

When we arrived in Key West our first stop was at a local beach/playground that we found.  The boys had a good time using up some of their pent-up energy.  It was another super windy day, but the sun still made it feel quite warm.

The wind made for some BIG waves.

The wind also made perfect conditions for some kite surfing.

When we were done playing at the playground, we had a good time searching for shells on the beach.

Sun.Sea.Sand

After our fun at the beach we headed inland in search of some lunch and finally ended up at Charlie Mac's restaurant.

Avery was very in to coloring his kid's meal activity page.  I don't think I've ever seen him focus on something so hard for so long!

After lunch, we headed Northwest on Duval Street to Mallory Square for some touristy sight seeing and shopping.

Avery, Eric, Asher, Mom & Dad by a giant Banyan Tree

I scream, You scream, We all scream for Ice Cream!

Avery found a coconut which was perfect for him!

Pirates!

The day before we went to Key West, Asher really wanted to shop for shells.  We went to a store for a few minutes, but had to leave because they were closing and he was DEVASTATED.  While we were in Key West, we found another shell shore (along with the giant shell below) where we spent a very long time searching for the best shells he could purchase with the $7 he got from some Valentines' Day gifts. 

Avery tried on a few hats while he waited for Big Brother to pick his shells.

Grandma and Papa also spoiled the boys at the shell store by letting them each pick out a new buddy to bring home.

Asher chose a Dory look-alike.

Avery chose a camouflage shark.

After shell shopping we headed back in the direction of our car with a few quick photo-ops along the way.

The entire island has chickens running around all over it!

We found this statue on our way back and I insisted that Mom and Dad get a photo.  (I would have made Eric take one with me too, but he was off putting more money in the meter for our van).

Piranha!

The boys shooting canons at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum...

Chasing the chickens was much more exciting than pretending to shoot canons though!

Chasing more chickens near a parking lot.

The beginning of US 1.

Avery walking on the ledge.

Family photo op!

This truck was a work of art covered in rusty scales and sea-type things.

Not sure why, but I liked this church.

<3

Running back to the van.

Taking a little breather while we wait for the others to catch up.

A nest of chicken eggs right in the middle of someone's front yard!

Before we went back to the van we got in line at the official Southernmost point to take a picture.

Family photo op!

After we got our things back in the van, we headed across the street to the ocean for a few more minutes of fun on the beach and in the waves before the sun set.

(2) Videos: Tag with the Waves

Our traditional family winter vacation picture.

My awesome parents!

This boy LOVES the sand!

After our fun on the beach, we headed back to our hotel in Key Largo.  We were all very tired and still fairly full from lunch so we didn't get any dinner before we left.  On the way home though, Asher started complaining that he was hungry and since no one else was real hungry and the options between Key West and Key Largo are limited we simply stopped for ice cream.  The boys were both very surprised and excited for us to have ice cream for dinner!  

Video: Ice Cream for Dinner

When our bellies were full and our sweet tooth was satisfied, we made it the rest of the way to our hotel and immediately headed to bed after a great, but exhausting day!