7.21.26 Publix, Low Tide, Lots of Keys and Scary Uber

Yet another travel day. We have to get down to Key West in order to catch our Ferry for Dry Tortugas tomorrow. The drive is arduous because it is mostly a 1 lane road and takes over 3 hours to get through all the keys. Adam volunteers to drive so I can enjoy the scenery and apparently the smell? Oh my goodness. The low tide smell permeated EVERYWHERE. I think it is now a part of the fabric of my being. I keep looking around at everyone outside expecting them to be retching from the smell, but they all acted normal? What on earth. Is this like yeah it smells but we have beautiful sunsets? Not sure it's a fair trade. As we are driving though, I do realize this would be a great road for Gideon to practice driving. We warn him he may be driving us back off the keys…

Before we got to the keys we grabbed supplies for our Dry Tortugas trip including food and water to last us for the longest 24 hours of our lives. We tried not to go overboard and we were able to stop at a Publix which is a fabulous grocery chain in the south. They have a sub shop at the deli that is better than most other sub shop chains. We took our opportunity and grabbed some subs to eat on the drive. They were as remembered.

As we drove to the hotel, Abby read us reviews for our scheduled hotel for the night. A little mom and pop joint. The reviews were pretty scary but the price couldn't be beat! (or could it?) The reviews said the suite Adam and I had booked was small and the shower was like a dungeon and the room smelled heavily of Fabuloso. We giggled but assured ourselves it would be fine.

The kids also got restless at one point and did shots of mayonnaise and ritz art with mayonnaise. (I agree—gross). Check out the videos if you want disgusting proof.

We get to the hotel pretty early in the day around 3:30pm. We are excited to have some downtime in the hotel and packing time for the trip. We find a great spot for on—street parking (the only option) and head into the hotel. Well, into isn't the right word. All the rooms are outside, more like a motel. We walk by a ton of the rooms and a pool that was the size of a kiddie pool. There is a room right next to the pool. That must suck for who stays there. Foreshadowing…

We check—in and get our keys. The clerk was delightful and gave us lots of hints for the area. She sends us off to our rooms when I realize, yup, we're in the room right by the pool. Not only that but the bed is the first thing you hit when you open the door (literally, the door hits the bed) and the pool is one splash away! So, we sleep facing the pool. Cool. And the Fabuloso smell smacks me in the face but it's better than low tide so I move past it.

The bathroom, well, the review was right. The shower stall was smaller than college showers, there was complete darkness and no fan. I feel an alignment with the angry reviewer but remind myself I have one night here. Abby reminds me we can use their completely comfortable shower without issue. Phew. We hang in the kids room for a bit so we don't get pool water on our clothes. Gideon's bed sinks in the middle but IT'S FINE. IT'S ONE NIGHT. And not even a long night. We have to leave by 5:45 am!

We decide to go explore downtown and get some dinner. We Uber there as the walk is 22 minutes and it is 90 degrees with humidity of 42 saunas. The Uber drive there was interesting. The door handles were taped shut from the inside. The rear view mirror was facing ONLY the passenger seat. And there were more lights on the dash than there should be including maintenance required and something about the stability system? I'm sure it was FINE.

It was a cute little American joint and the owner sat us. He then looked me deep in the eyes and said mom, are these gorgeous kids 21?. I said no. He kept eye contact and said oh, ok!. He then pointed at Gideon and said not even him? and I said no, but she is only a few months away in October. To which he turned to Abby and said I am October too, gorgeous!. Thankfully he left and then I realized he was going to let my kids drink as long as I said ok. Ha. Oops! And sorry Abby!

Dinner was long and leisurely and we walked around for a bit after doing some shopping and hanging with the chickens. There are chickens EVERYWHERE in Key West. They are beautiful colors too. And they listen to honking to get out of the way! They go in stores and restaurants and they are just widely accepted. It reminds me that if we, as humans, can understand and accept chickens everywhere, there has to be hope for non—US citizens and LGBTQ people, right?

We stopped to see the mile marker 0 sign for Route 1, grabbed some photos and did our good deed for the day by taking a photo of another family for them. We then headed back to the hotel and packed frantically and with a lot of anxiety for Dry Tortugas. Then I slept horribly wondering if anyone was going to use our bed to do a dive into the pool and worrying about camping.

Good Deed for the Day: Photo for another fam!

Ended the Day: Authors Guesthouse in Key West, FL

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