Key West Vacation Rewind

We're back from a wonderful, relaxing, and fun vacation...why did it have to end?!?!?  Coming back to the real world is NO

fun:(  Unpacking, laundry, cooking, work---ugh!  The only thing I was happy to get back to was our sweet pup (& I'm pretty sure he was happy to see us too). 

 

It is crazy to think this was our last vacation just the 2 of us....next time we head to the beach, Lillian Pace will be in tow! :)  However, Mr. S & I have made a pact to always take one trip by ourselves every year, so I hope Sugar & Bebe are up for keeping Little Miss sometime next year :)

 

Our destination was Key West this year & I must say it was better than I could have imagined!  We went with no plans (other than 2 reservations that Mr. S surprised me with!) or agenda...just relax, eat & enjoy our time together.  Anyone that knows me, knows I'm not one to "relax"....I like to wake & go!  But this vacation allowed us to slow down and enjoy the days. 

 

**Warning--this is an extremely long post!**

 

This sunset never got old

 

Day 1- We arrived in Key West around 2 & we were starving!  After checking in to our hotel, Island City House Hotel, we headed to Bo's Fish Shack for a late lunch.  This outside restaurant was unique and delish!  After eating, we headed to explore Duval Street & shop.  Key West reminded me alot of New Orleans--Duval=Bourbon Street.  Bars, shops, restaurants all make up this 2 mile stretch.  On our way to Duval, we ran across Kermit's Key Lime Pie shop...the best pie in the world!!!  I couldn't resist, so we popped in & grabbed a slice (this became a daily routine)!  We ate a late, light dinner of appitizers (we were still pretty full from lunch!) at Kelly's and called it a night!

 



Bo's Fish Shack

 Lily posing!

 Love him:)

Kelly's Carribean Grill

 

Day 2- Mr. S & I headed to the state park beach after breakfast & enjoyed a couple of hours of sun and sand (& of course picture taking)!  For dinner, Slade had made reservations at Nine One Five restaurant.  We sat outside on the patio & enjoyed a fantastic dinner.  To end the night, we headed to Sloppy Joe's for some music & people watching (one of my favorite things to do)!

 

 251/2 Weeks Pregnant

 

 Pretty!

 Lily's first visit to the beach

Sloppy Joe's

 

Day 3- We started off the day with a long bike ride & CF workout!  After getting a little dirty & very sweaty, we cleaned up and got ready for a day of adventure :)  The one thing I requested we do while in the Keys was to paddle board, so we consulted our concierge, who referred us to Lazy Dog for a 2-hour board rental.  Y'all this was SO much fun!!!  We explored up and down the inter coastal, saw a manatee, fish and other ocean life.  The 2 hours flew by...however, we had a little game to look forward to that evening---AL vs. Michigan!  We enjoyed watching the complete domination from the Tide @ JDL's Big Ten Sports bar w/ other fans from Alabama!  ROLL TIDE!!! :)

 

 Key West Pier

 

 

 

 

Day 4- We went fishing!  Mr. S had never been deep-sea fishing before, so we decided to give it a shot :)  We went out for a 6 hour day w/ 4 others.  I caught the first fish---an Amberjack.  Unforunately, we didn't see too much action while out, so Slade came home without a catch :(  I think I was more bummed than he was.  However, we had a great time out at sea & we were able to eat the Amberjack for dinner! 

 

 Fighting!

 Got him!

 Not to bad :)

 Waiting for something to hit the line...

 

Day 5- Our last full day on the island, so we decided to do a little sight seeing in the morning & then spent the remainder of the day on the beach!  We started by biking to the Little White House- a place that President Truman resided in & is still used from time to time today.  Hemingway's House was next...I was interested in this because I recently read The Paris Wife, which is a loose story of his time in Paris.  It was old, so unique & beautiful!  The Southernmost Point was next (w/ some rain) then we headed to the beach for some sand, sun & for Mr. S shade under the umbrella!!!  My last surprise of the trip, was reservations at Latitudes on Sunset Key Island.  If you go to Key West, you MUST eat here.  It was AWESOME!  We took a ferry to the island as the sun was setting=beautiful!  Dinner was on the beach & delicious :) 

 

 Rain, rain go away!

 Hemingway House

 Sunset Key 

Our view @ dinner...WOW :)

 

 

As you can see, we had a BLAST!  Thanks to Mr. S for planning a majority of the trip :)  It was the perfect getaway for our last vacation of the year!  Now, when can we go back!??!?!