Babymoon

Sam and I just got back from the last kid-free vacation for the foreseeable future. We really wanted to go on a Mediterranean cruise, but all cruise lines have a policy of no pregnant ladies. I understand you don't want babies born on cruise ships, but the 20 week cut off seems a bit early. Oh well, we took the opportunity to attend Sam's cousin's wedding and then headed to the Florida Keys.

Sam got me a new camera for my birthday, but it's not waterproof so we don't have any pictures from the water.

The wedding was in Tampa and we stopped by the aquarium after we arrived to learn about the gulf fish before all the snorkeling we were going to do in the Keys.

Me and Jean-Luc

Sergeant Majors (very common reef fish)

Mostly grunts in this picture

Sam, Alan, James and Charles enjoying a cigar bar the night before the wedding.

The wedding was on the beach at the resort all the Wileys were staying at. It was a great destination wedding and we had fun hanging out on the beach and in the resort pool not doing much of anything. Sam and I even got in a round of mini-golf. On Monday, we said good-bye to the Wileys (and Collins) as they headed off to Orlando and Disney World.

After the wedding, we headed to the Keys. We stayed on Duck Key just northeast of Marathon, which is in the middle keys. It was a great location for seeing the state parks (John Pennekamp, Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, and Long Key). We stayed at the Hawks Cay Resort, which was very nice and kid friendly. During the week there was almost no one there, but come Friday it seemed like all of south Florida arrived. People from Miami are like tan, Spanish speaking New Jerseyians. It was a bit much for us, but not too bad.

The Google street map car!

The day after driving from Tampa to Marathon, we went to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to take the snorkel trip out to the reef. When we were here 3 years ago on spring break, the seas were too rough and all the snorkel trips were cancelled, but this time things were alright with 1-2' seas. The snorkel trip was to the Grecian Rocks shoals, which are incredibly shallow. It was actually a difficult snorkel because most of the reef was in about 2-3' so we only snorkeled around the edges. We saw lots of parrot fish, sergeant majors, blue wrasse, blue tangs, barracudas, and queen conch. I only saw one french angel fish. We had a really great time and are very happy we went back to see the reef.

Mangrove trail at John Pennekamp

Broken mangrove trail at John Pennekamp

The next day we drove over the 7 mile bridge to Bahia Honda State Park, which has just about the best beach in the Keys. We also took the snorkel tour here out to Looe Key. This was a much more interesting reef with all these fingers and little 15-20' deep canyons to dive. I have never seen so many parrot fish and there were tons of french angel fish. We also saw a Nassau grouper hiding under a ledge. Unfortunately, the visibility was only about 20' and there were 2-3' seas. I got tired of bouncing all over the place and being pushed around so I went back to the boat after about 45 minutes and Sam continued snorkeling. We had a great time again and then enjoyed the more secluded beach at the northern end of the park.

Classic Bahia Honda picture

The next day we went back to Bahia Honda to rent a kayak and take it out to this little island near the channel. When we made our way through the changing currents to the island we realized it was an old reef from the ocean levels were higher. (Yet more blindingly obvious evidence against anthropogenic global warming.) Sam was really fascinated by the tide pools on the island. The larger pools were like sergeant major nurseries.

The little key we kayaked to

Part of the Flaggler railroad

North end of Bahia Honda

Curry Hammock's brand new beach

We stopped by Curry Hammock State Park, which apparently is a totally manmade key. It became a park in 1991, but they have been filling in the key since the 1960s. There isn't much there except a brand new campground. The beach would have been alright, but this time of year there was too much rotting seagrasses on the beach to make it pleasant.

Before the weekend rush of south Floridans, we went to Key West to hang out. It was the third time we have been there and the people watching is always amazing. All the restaurants post the city ordinance that says you can't have open containers of alcohol, but still serve all their drinks in plastic cups because everyone walks around with open containers. It is also one of the few places you can go anywhere in your swimsuit. Sam even pulled a classic Wiley and found free parking near the southernmost point.

Key West deep water terminal

We spent our last day at the resort hanging out by the pool. The place was pretty crowded, but again the people watching was great. However, I was glad to go home. It was back to reality on Tuesday.

Next year we will be taking the little thumper on his first camping trip!