We stayed in Key West for half of our vacation, and then rented a car for the Best drive in the world 🌎 This was our first time taking the seven mile bridge from Key West to Islamorada. We stayed midway between Miami and Key West at a resort that takes up both sides of Key of Islamorada so we could see both sunrise and sunset. Beautiful beautiful seaside resort.
This is the Seven Mile Bridge which is not scary at all. However, you know how the story goes....if there is an accident, you might be stuck for several hours on the bridge. In the photo below, you will see "Fred" the famous tree that has survived the major hurricanes. Everyone LOVES Fred, and they decorate it for Christmas."Fred" the Tree....you can Google it and will see how famous this tree is LOL.
Here's the story about Key West. On our first trip there over 10 years ago, I quickly learned the iconic phrase “See you at Sunset”. It has embodied the spirit and history of Key West since the nightly event took off in the late 1960s. Beginning two hours before sunset, it’s a celebration and view that has captured the hearts of many including Mark Twain in the 1800s to Tennessee Williams in the late 20th century. The celebration invites everyone to partake in watching the the red sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico horizon. The nightly festival hosts visitors from all over the world who come to take part in the magicians, jugglers, local musicians, artists, and food vendors that combine for a cultural experience. The beauty and passion of this event can be seen in renowned art, stories, poetry, and photography.You don't leave Key West without your photo taken at Mile Marker 0.
This is a popular hammock at the resort. I had to time it right to get this photo. The tote had to visit Jimmy Buffett's recording studio.
As we walked by Jimmy Buffett's recording studio in Key West, we recollected the island's timeless tunes on our many trips here. If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, you are aware that he was known for his persona which often portrayed a lifestyle described as "island escapism" and promoted enjoying life and following passions.
Each morning we had a beautiful sunrise, and thankfully Joe woke me one of the mornings to see it. I sleep very well in the Florida Keys :-)
I hope you’ll enter your name and email address (I won't know who you are if you post as Anonymous) for the quarterly giveaway by leaving a comment on my blog Mountain Breaths. I'll pick the lucky winner on 3/5/24.
Thanks for staying in touch, following along, and for being interested in my shenanigans. Here's to the restful and restorative remaining days of winter for us all.
xo
Deb
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Hi Deb. I would love to have that tote to take with me to Round Top Texas next month. I would be the envy of everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet giveaway! I have never been to the Florida Keys, but I would like to take a beach vacation this year, so here's hoping! Love the charm dangle on your bag, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous winter getaway - I have never been to the Keys, but this post makes me want to add it to my bucket list! Love the sunrise photo - Your tote certainly enjoys your winter escapes!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for the “To Go Tote”. Thank you for pointing out Fred the tree. I didn’t know about that.
ReplyDeleteVery fun to see you and Lola basking in the sunshine, great times for all!
ReplyDeleteSorry, Aurora! I see Lola to much 😉
DeleteYou are getting to know Lola very well. No worries, Miss Aurora and Lola are twins and hard to tell apart. :-)
DeleteHappy Birthday to Joe.. Florida is a sweet getaway :)
ReplyDeleteLove this tote. If I win this would be my first MC piece. Enjoy reading about your trip to the Keys.
ReplyDeleteOh Deb, my family and I love love Key West! We have vacationed there 3 times. It is such a fun place to visit, and so pretty, I love all the colorful houses, and the huge variety of fun bars and restaurants. My daughter and her family spent the week after Christmas in Islamorada and just loved it. So many cute photos of you and your tote! Happy March, I hope your temps are warming up!
ReplyDeleteJenna
I always look forward to "Tales of the Totes" and this blog did not disappoint! Key West is one of my favorite places to visit. I would love to win this "To Go Tote" for my next adventure!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, such a fun winter getaway. Paul has always wanted to visit the Florida Keys. Seeing your fabulous photos will motivate him. Beautiful sunsets and sunrise. So glad Fred ‘the tree survived’. You two are always on the go exploring the world. Kudos to you both. Thank you for sharing these fun photos of you, Joe and Key West.
ReplyDeleteOh Deb, your winter Key West vacation looks wonderful! We have never visited, almost once but had to cancel so we need to plan another trip. . Our son and his family make an annual trip there and enjoy diving. We hear nothing wonderful stories from them. You look so adorable paddle boarding, I might have to try that! Fun you visited the JB recording studio. Definitely two part heads here! Love seeing the pics of you and Joe. Tell your guy we say hello..........
ReplyDeleteKey West is on our bucket list! Anyone who has visited loves the area and you just wrote the same! Would love to win the tote for hopefully our bucket list trip!
ReplyDeleteThe Keys are on my list! Would like to know what hotels/resorts you enjoyed?. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were talking about the 3 hours we had in Key West. It was on our honeymoon--which was a cruise. You have captured the beauty of the Keys making me want to see for a Longer period of time the beauty again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand way to travel with such a gorgeous tote.
Sounds like yall had such a great time and you have some beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I love your winter get away to Key West. Looks like your had a lovely resort to enjoy. Love the pic of you in the hammock! Our son and family makes the trip every year to dive. Love hearing their stories of the beauty of the islands. I can only imagine the sunrise and sunsets, I've heard breathtaking. Got to do this trip someday. Happy March dear Deb.......
ReplyDeleteI love Key West! Thank you for featuring one of my favorite places that we’ve visited!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous vacation, Deb! I’ll take your word for it that the seven mile drive is not scary. I know I would love it once I was there. Those sunrises and sunsets must be amazing! You and Joe have the best time together. What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn’t love checks and on a tote, perfection!
ReplyDeleteThank You for the chance to win the tote.
ReplyDeleteMarion
Thank You for this fun giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Key West is on my bucket list. We have enjoyed some beautiful weather here in North Texas. Our Flowering Quince, Redbud trees and Carolina Jessamine are all in bloom.
ReplyDeleteDeb, one day I'm going to visit Key West. I love that you and Joe go frequently. Your photos really are enticing with the magical sunset skies. Thanks for taking us along. And yes, I'm a Jimmy Buffet fan!
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to go some time. We have relatives that used to winter in West Palm Beach but we never got down to the Keys. What resorts did you stay in!?? The road is so spectacular and we are all about sunrises and sunsets.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t look like my comment published. What a dream vacation. One I want to go on for sure. We always love sunrises and sunsets especially at the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI love Key West so much! It is one of my most favorite places to visit. Fred the tree is so interesting. What a perfect getaway with a great tote!
ReplyDeleteOh that tote is such fun! I would love to be the lucky winner...what a lovely reminder of the beautiful things shared on your blog and on those of your traveling tote friends.
ReplyDeleteOh it is so nice to see the tote a'travelin again! Oh I just love Key West and my dad used to go to Islamarada all the time. Boy are you right about that bridge. Or during spring breaks - yikes almighty. You scheduled your trip there perfectly and your gorgeous tote looks perfectly right at home lounging on that awesome hammock. Oh how I long for a vacay!!!
ReplyDeleteFunny - I grew up on the NorthCoast in the perfect summer vacation area on the great lake Erie on an island - and half the populace lived there half the year and Key West the other half of the year. I think even the original Parrot Head visited our area. (Well home place, I moved to a big city to make a living, haha.) Anyway need to go hop the tote visit gals. And yes, please, enter me in your incredibly generous amazing giveaway. TYSM!!
Deb, I come from Florida and Key West was a frequent getaway after a long work week. So many quirky people to see, and so much fun. I am going on a cruise to Alaska in September, and I need that Tote. I promise to post its adventures for all to see!
ReplyDeleteOMGOSH! The Florida Keys. I used to camp there when I was really young. It is one of the most special places on earth to me. I haven't been there in 40 years. Didn't you LOVE the drive across the long bridge. It used to be 2 lane! Please sign me up for the giveaway. I would love to win the tote and do a bit of traveling with it. Life has changed for me and I will be able to travel again for a bit. xo Diana. (NanaDianaTakesABreak)dianakos1@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity!
Debbie, your trip to the keys looked heavenly. We became intent on reaching mile marker 0 in the north once we visited Key West's southern mile marker 0. We did accomplish that, though it was a bit anticlimactic, lol. You picked a wonderful time to be in KW.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip to the FL keys. I enjoyed looking at the beautiful photos and I love the one of you in the hammock. I've never been there and now I'd love to add this to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteSweet Deb I hope I’m not too late. I’ve never been to the Keys but hope to as I’m inching closer to retirement. This tote would be the perfect accessory! Loved this post.Happy St Patrick’s Day!
ReplyDeleteI love the keys, although I've never been as far as Key West! We usually stop at The Ocean Reed Club in Key Largo. Thanks for introducing us to Fred! :D Sorry I missed posting this round, but I just wasn't home enough and didn't give myself enough time to participate. Linda is helping me fix my blog even as I type this comment! ;P
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed the giveaway! Still catching up after our trip :) The photo of your charming resort is beautiful! I love the charming blue buildings against the gorgeous sunset sky. I remember being on the old 7 mile bridge with my parents when I was 11! We were visiting family in Fort Lauderdale and drove down to Key West. What a wonderful, scenic trip you had!
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