vacation

Sean had a business meeting in Miami Beach in July, which I was on the fence about going to until his mother mentioned that the Keys weren't a far drive south from there.  

I'm smart enough to know a good idea when I hear one.

And so the kids stayed with my folks and between a couple nights in Miami Beach and a few in Islamorada, I'm happy to say we were away long enough for that always-on parenting part of my brain to replace the whirring, worry, and throbbing with SILENCE.  

Total bliss.

This is our view from the top floor balcony of Eden Roc-- the first and probably last time I'll be hitting the "PH" button on the elevator.  In addition to finding out that the Kardashians had stayed on our floor recently, I also had to acclimate myself to the disco tech music that seemed to follow me everywhere from the moment we got off the plane.  (Not exactly the same tunes sung by Mr. Itsy Bitsy Spider and his twinkly star gang...)

Anyway, with Sean working constantly during our time in Miami Beach, I just had to bite the bullet and get out by myself.  So I braved the perpetual nightclub atmosphere and managed to swim in the ocean, take the public transportation down to Lincoln Mall (instead of dealing with the swanky, intimidating valet guys) and then walk a couple miles back to our hotel along the lovely beach.  (Which-- note to self-- was really too hot to do without a bottle of water.  Don't ever do that again.)

Eventually the forum ended and we were free.  Hightailed it out of Miami Beach... but then things slowed down a bit.

We ate lunch (three times, of course) in Little Havana before I finally convinced my husband to focus on getting us HERE:

ahhhh-- now THIS is what I came for...

In addition to watching a dramatic sunset that first night we also got to see an extended stunt flying performance by one crazy soul who seriously maxed out that little biplane, and you'd think, his own stomach.

Which was REALLY supremely cool.  

But still nothing compared to a sunset on this level of fantastic.

I mean, I really hope that guy landed his plane in time to get somewhere and enjoy THIS:

Upon awaking the next morning, it took me a while to accept the fact that people don't go to the Keys for beaches.  I just assumed ALL islands in the Caribbean were beach destinations.  But after consulting locals and doing a little of our own exploration, this was all we could find within a mile or two radius... basically a parking lot covered with some white, sandy, crushed rock stuff.

And so then I felt much more at ease just enjoying our little man-made "island" with a pool and fantastic sunsets.  I was happy knowing there was nothing greater on Islamorada to conquer other than tasting the various sake "cocktails" at our bar and keeping vigilant watch for manatees.

(Did not see any.  This means, of course, that I need to go back and look longer.)

The little resort was great; we played many rounds of bocce and took advantage of their free bikes, snorkle gear, and paddleboards.  Which brings to mind a specific incident of Sean choosing a kayak that capsized on him, much to my befuddlement as he had not notified me that he was taking on water-- then suddenly just tipped over... Anyway, I rescued my husband and his kayak, handed over my paddle, and he rowed us all back to safety.   Only casualty were his sunglasses.  (Which means, of course, that I need to go back for the purpose of finding the sunglasses.)

The driving we did between Miami and Islamorada really drove home exactly HOW many different types of palm trees there are.  I always knew there were, like, more than one, or something-- but really, the variety is ASTOUNDING.

Leeeeeezards EVERYWHERE!!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Josephine and Clement suffered at the hands of their grandparents and missed us pretty much not at all.  :-)