Final week, my 11-year-old Anton, his pal Nick, and I had been very excited to take slightly jaunt to the Florida Keys…
Some time again, Alex instructed 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 publish 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 exterior our door, morning espresso, kayaks, fishing gear, ping pong, big Jenga, cornhole, pool toys, bikes, hammocks, sundown wine, s’mores… You’re not staying at an excellent fancy place — there’s no on-site restaurant, for instance, or lengthy seashore to stroll on — however I LOVE a small lodge that appears like residence when you arrive, versus a resort that modifications one million hidden charges. (Two close by lodges that appear to have related vibes are the Atlantic Bay Resort and the Caribbean Resort.)
Kayaks and paddleboats had been saved close to the water, so we might stroll up and bounce in anytime. We went on adventures across the bay, and Anton, Nick and I might hold 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 machine 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 got one for your loved ones? Makes me need to determine one out for the boys and me.
Apart from swimming, using bikes, and asking me if they might 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 skim my ebook.
We stayed solely two nights, since they had been booked up after that, however we beloved each minute.
After testing, 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 artworks (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 each day actions, like bingo and trivia — however I’m unsure I’d suggest it as a result of a) you get charged plenty of extras (resort charges, in a single day parking charges, and many others.) and b) we received 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 vital cellphone name.
I felt slightly like this man, haha.
However in fact it was advantageous (I simply gave up), and the seashore was stunning…
The boys performed soccer within the pool for HOURS. We met a household from Dublin, and I beloved the mother’s phrasing when she instructed me, “Your lads are good enjoyable.”
Most vital, 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 certain if touring solo with two 11-year-olds could be exhausting, however they’re such an excellent age and infrequently performed collectively within the pool whereas I learn and saved an eye fixed on them. Additionally they nonetheless needed to hang around with me a number of the time, which I appreciated, and laughed at my dumb jokes (or at the least stated “lol,” pronounced “lohl”). Thanks, Florida — we had 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?