Happy Monday friends!
If you were following on Instagram last week, you might have seen that I snuck away to spend a few days in Florida including a few nights in Key West! The Hubs had a business conference and his parents just happened to have a trip planned that overlapped for a few days. So it was the perfect chance to enjoy some island time.
The Hubs had spent the week before on Anna Maria Island for another business related trip. I could not go on that part of the trip, so I took a commercial flight down to meet him. Thank goodness for crazy cheap flights through Alliegent Air.
From the Sarasota airport the Hubs and I flew ourselves in our plane to Key West. This is the view as we left the Sarasota area. So pretty!
The flight to Key West was only an hour and a half, with less than thirty minutes over water. So much shorter than driving.
Check out the cool clouds! <-- I'm totally showing my inner weather nerd.
We landed at Key West by 10 AM and were ready to go for a day of fun!
The Hubs parents picked us up from the airport and we spent some time showing them around since we had made this trip a few years ago.
The highlight of the day was a sunset sail and wine tasting. The Hubs and I did this the last time we were in town and loved it.
It is so nice to get out on the water to watch the end of the day show.
The sunset from the boat was very pretty with lots of colors.
I love the way the sun reflects off the clouds.
This shot with the birds is one of my favorites though.
We ended the day with a great dinner and an early bedtime!
The next day started bright and early, including a fruit ceviche breakfast with amazing views. I think I might have been one of the first people awake in Key West 🙂
I could eat breakfast with views like this everyday!
The Hubs was in meetings all day, so I met his parents and played tour guide.
We hit up all the Key West favorites!
Southernmost Point...
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach...
I want one of these signs for my backyard!
DJ's Clam Shack... (featured on Diners, Dives and Drive-ins)
The clams were just as good as I remembered!
The Butterfly Conservatory. I could have spent hours here taking pictures.
I'll spare you the hundred pictures I took and share just two...
The Hubs got out of meetings just in time to catch the sunset at Mallory Square.
Even from the dock, this sunset is spectacular!
Those boats are the ones we were on the night before.
The Hubs parents were leaving early the next day, so we said goodbye and went back to our hotel for dinner and a party associated with his conference.
My last day in Key West I was on my own, so I rented a bike and went exploring. It felt great to get a nice breeze off the bike, get exercise and see a lot of the island in a short amount of time. If you were ever in Key West I highly recommend getting a bike. In my opinion it's the best and most enjoyable way to get around. I found this little hidden gem restaurant on the other side of the island.
I liked my clams so much the day before, that I ordered another dish of them. This version was a little more refined with fresh tomatoes and white beans. They were both delicious though.
I finished the day talking with some of the other spouses from the conference at the pool.
The Hubs meeting finally ended just in time for a last Mallory Square sunset. The last one might have been my favorite. The colors were very vivid.
We had a late dinner on Sunset Island, which was really relaxing and tasty.
The next morning we got up early to leave Key West for Orlando. The Hubs needed to get back to work, so he dropped me off to spend a few days with my Dad. I caught another Alliegent Air flight back to Asheville a few days later.
I got back to 40 degrees and crazy mountain winds. I'm kind of missing that Florida heat and sunshine right now, but as always there is no place like home.
Want to learn more about general aviation, what and why I fly? Check out this post about the time the Hubs flew us to the Bahamas!
Thanks for stopping by today. Come back tomorrow for a peanut butter twist on the breakfast favorite. This time I'm using this amazing new crunchy, yet creamy peanut butter find. Yummy!
And of course, have a Marvelous Monday! Thanks for the linkup Katie.
I’m linking this post up for Travel Tuesday and Weekend Wanderlust.
Your turn!
Have you ever been to Key West?
Do you ever ride a bike to get around?
Kaitlyn says
Looks like such a fun time! So cool you go with hubs for bus trips!! The pictures of the sunset look AMAZING!!
-Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Jess @hellotofit says
Love your romper! I've been to Key West once, and had a blast. Need to go back!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jess! It's a fun place!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I have been to Key West but it was when I was a kid. I clearly need to go back, your photos are amazing!!
JulieWunder says
It's pretty cool! I only went once the entire time I grew up in Florida but have really enjoyed my recent visits.
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
I love Key West! It's where I met my husband. I also love that you flew yourselves there! So awesome!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Pragati! I'm sure it has great memories for you then!
Krystal says
I go to Key West almost yearly, but I have BAD sunset luck! There's always clouds or something covering our view! Love your photos!
JulieWunder says
What a bummer! I love a good sunset!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I'm a little jealous of your trip...and your husband's! We go to Anna Maria every March. I'll be down there next year, and I'm running the Sarasota Half. Want to meet me there?
My sister and I are already planning for our sister trip, and Key West is on our list!
JulieWunder says
Oh wow! The Hubs was at Anna Maria all week and loved it. I had never been there in all my years of living in Florida!
Sarasota half?! Sounds like so much fun-- when is it?
And Key West-- yes-- you should go!
Mandi Korn says
The first cloud photo is amazing…..were going back to FL in a week, hope its as pretty as your stay was.
JulieWunder says
I hope so too! Have a great time.
Marta says
I would so love to visit Key West one day, it looks gorgeous! Great pictures and you look super cute in the romper!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
JulieWunder says
Thanks Marta! It's a great trip and pretty easy from Florida.
I love that romper... so thank you!
Andrea says
I had the lobster roll at DJ's and was very happy indeed. It is such a cool vibe everywhere in Key West. How were the clams?
JulieWunder says
I had a lobster roll too last time-- sooooo good! The clams were pretty awesome. They had jalapenos-- which makes me happy 🙂
Jessie says
Wow! What a beautiful couple days you and your family had in Key West. I'm still amazed that your husband can fly a plane. I mean goodness gracious, what skill. I'd personally be terrified that I'd crash.
JulieWunder says
Haha! He is one of the only people I would trust to fly a plane I was in! He is super organized and methodical.. not like me!! I am impressed with his skill too-- I think I've just become used to flying!
Leslie @ flora foodie says
Oh my gosh, GORGEOUS pictures, and you're seriously making me crave some clams. I've never been to Key West, but I may have to add that to the list 🙂 I do get to bike to get around here in Sac sometimes, so that's lovely!
JulieWunder says
Bikes are so much fun! It's so hard to ride bikes in the mountains, that I don't do it enough!
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
Are you kidding me? Oh my gosh, Julie. Every picture looks like a post card. It looks you guys had an amazing time. You both totally deserve it. 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susanna! I appreciate that so much! Wish you could have come-- we would have had a blast!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I love Key West! It's so beautiful and the perfect spot for a quick vacation. I'm curious to hear more about your experience with Allegiant airlines! I'm tempted to try them for their pricing, but at the same time the old adage "you get what you pay for" runs threw my head too! haha
JulieWunder says
I've flown them for years and my Mom flew on them from Orlando to Chattanooga from their very beginning.
I've had no issues! The are generally pretty timely, clean and just like any other flight.
They fly into Sanford instead of Orlando, which is on the other side of town from Disney and where I grew up.
They do charge extra for everything... but I only pay for my bag and don't get the other extras.
The only problem is they only have a few flights a week so sometime the times or days don't work.
Runaway Bridal Planner says
Beautiful photo's!!! I have only been to Key West once, and it is beautiful there! We basically spent the day there, walked around everywhere, visited the southernmost tip and ate some great food. I was actually surprised at the lack of beaches, I think we came across one small one.
We rushed to just see and do things, I think if I ever go back I'd like to take a more relaxing approach and enjoy it more, like you sound like you did! Looks like a great getaway!!!
JulieWunder says
Yes, the lack of beaches is very surprising!
Since this is the second time I've been recently, it was much easier to chill!
Colan says
Key West is a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. It's too flat and hot. Julie you have taken some beautiful pictures and I always like to see them. Thanks for sharing
JulieWunder says
It is very flat! Thanks so much for the pictures compliment-- I work very hard at them!
Mary Beth Jackson says
Key West makes for a great getaway any time! nice pictures! We had so much fun the last time we were there 🙂
JulieWunder says
It feels like another world!
Blane Sherer says
Beautiful pictures ( especially the sunset shots ).
I always enjoy your travel blogs.
JulieWunder says
Thank you!
Jenny says
Oh my goodness! I want to GOOOO! My husband produced documentary in Key West years ago and lived there while he was working on it. BUT I haven't been, and we keep talking about getting down there. Maybe in January!
I hope you're framing some of the photos you've been taking--they're beautiful!
JulieWunder says
He needs to take you!!! It's a lot of fun! Just a very different vibe. I love the sunsets and the views. Let me know if you go and need a hotel recommendation 🙂 I need to get on top of the framing thing 🙂
Diane says
So much fun ! Let's go back this week 'n
JulieWunder says
I'm in 🙂
Lisa B says
Key West is one of my and my hubby's favorite places! Love the sunsets! Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures; lots of memories there!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lisa! It is a special place!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
So many beautiful pictures! If you are a cloud nerd, you're the coolest cloud nerd I know! I love the romper that you're wearing on the beach so cute!
JulieWunder says
Haha! Thanks! I adore my new romper too!
Annmarie says
I have never been to Key West (since I'm allergic to the sun) but it looks absolutely gorgeous! Wow!
JulieWunder says
I wore spf 50 and hid in the shade :-)))
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
Oh man, I just got SO jealous. We went to Key West for a week before we got married and I think it was both of our favorite vacations ever. So much fun to explore and enjoy such a beautiful setting!!
JulieWunder says
It is such a cool place. I'm a big fan! Good food, nice people and pretty views!
Sam @ See Sam Run says
All of your pictures are stunning! Especially the sunsets. I don't think I've ever seen any quite like that, aside from atop a mountain in Bar Harbor, Maine. I went to Key West years ago on a cruise, but I would love to go back to spend more time there. And I must say I love the Lilly!
JulieWunder says
🙂 Glad you appreciate some Lilly 🙂
I'm such a fan of sunsets... I hope you get to see some good ones at some point!
Jaime says
Your photos are beautiful (and that fruit? YUM!) I'd take Florida over November in mountains almost any day. I'm just not a fan of November. 😉
JulieWunder says
I know! I used to end up at home in October and miss the best of leaf season! I'm now all about going in November.
Gretchen | Gretchruns says
What a beautiful place! Looks like you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing and Happy Monday!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Gretchen! It was so much fun!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Simply stunning. I am so jealous that you guys are able to travel so freely! I know you earned it, though. I've been to Key West once, when I was in high school. We had a stop there during our Marine Biology trip. It was certainly an interesting place then--I like your version of it much better!