Alligators and Crocodiles and Moon Jellies, Oh My!!!

A week ago we escaped the cold and ice and migrated to the southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West, FL. We also were invited here by our very good friends, Rob and Alice. They had a spare room in an awesome old house in historic Key West, so all we had to do was buy a plane ticket and rent a car! And yes, we flew Frontier, because I was once again suckered into their low prices. It actually wasn't awful-I've just decided that all air travel is unpleasant at best.

Only 90 miles to Cuba!

We landed in Miami and headed to the Everglades first, because I was on a mission to see an alligator! Low and behold, we saw more animals than I thought, and turns out the Everglades weren't as swampy as I thought. Lots of tall grasses and marshes...

We entered the Everglades at Homestead, FL, and proceeded to hike/run most of the trails on that stretch of road. My personal favorite was the Anhinga Trail, where we saw three different species of birds. We drove to the very end of the road, which dropped us off in Flamingo, FL. There we saw my alligators and bonus, a crocodile!

"What's the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
One will see you later, and one will see you in a while..." heehee

Saltwater crocodile

Anhinga bird, namesake for the trail...

Purple gallinule, my new favorite bird!

After we left the Everglades, we had the pleasure of driving all the way down to Key West, a neat drive, but one that only needs to be done once. Lots of traffic and stop and go driving...

Once we got to Key West, Rob and Alice were the most gracious hosts and took us around the town, showing us Fort Zachary Taylor, Mallory Square, and getting us a tour on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham.

I love the weather here!

Four person selfie!

Hal and Rob playing with big guns on the Ingham!

Climbing banyan trees...

Big iguanas

In addition to all the sight-seeing above ground, Hal and I were able to hop in the water at Fort Zachary for a quick snorkel. I say quick because the visibility was non-existent and there were jellyfish everywhere!

Moon jellies in murky water, turns out they don't sting, or at least that's what the internet says...

Portuguese man of war-these do sting and are dangerous!

As if the homemade dinners and amazing hospitality weren't enough, we all got to go on a stand up paddle board tour for Hal's birthday! It wasn't your standard 'paddle around a lake' kind of tour-for this trip we had to go in mangrove tunnels and use our hands to pull us through! Not to mention we got caught in an epic tropical squall that left us all shivering and wondering where Florida, the "Sunshine State", went...

Showoff! 

Mangrove tunnels!

After five quick days we were Colorado bound, coming home to ice and low humidity!

Thanks so much, Rob and Alice (and their son Jack) for a wonderful visit! We had been wanting to check out the Florida Keys, so now it's on to the next adventure...