Key West - Sun & Fun with Friends

"I may leave physically, but I would never leave [Key West] spiritually or mentally". -- Jimmy Buffet

The perfect recipe for adventure? Mix a bunch of friends with some irresistible sunshine, and voilà—we're off to Key West! Our trip was epic, cruising in our trusty van with the best crew ever. Jack and I go way back with Marla from our work days, and Jack’s golf buddy Tom is a legend. These two are like the dynamic duo of awesomeness! When they casually mentioned their plan to camp in Key West in February, we were all like, “Why the heck not?” We bolted out of town right after surviving a storm that was so cold, even penguins would’ve complained—wind chill of -6 degrees, people! So yeah, we were seriously craving some warmth. Landing in Key West, we parked our adventure wagon at the military campground on Trumbo Point and fell head over heels in love with the place!

On our first full day in Key West, we hopped on bikes to tour the island, soaking in the beauty, the history—or at least whatever Jack could recall or hilariously invent—and the delightful company. Tom was the brave soul who actually took a toe-dip in the ocean—good on him for that splash of courage!

The next day was a masterclass in relaxation, featuring a chill session that segued into a sunset cruise, with key lime pie masquerading as dinner. Then, we unleashed our inner party animals and painted the town a scandalous shade of red. We laughed so hard, we might have just extended our lifespans—though we probably knocked off a couple of years with all the shenanigans! Totally a fair trade!

Day 3 was like a sitcom episode with awesome company, belly laughs, and fresh escapades on Lazy Dog Kayak tours. We reunited with Mark, my old work buddy, and his charming wife Heather! Picture this: a kayak adventure where we paddled away our hangovers, got a workout that would make a gym jealous, and spotted some incredible critters, not to mention a view of Jimmy Buffet's house!

On our last full day, Jack and I decided to take a long stroll along the sea wall, probably to burn off all those vacation calories. Then, we tackled the Herculean task of cleaning our van, preparing it for the epic journey back home. That afternoon, we all made a grand expedition to Mallory Square to catch a sunset so beautiful it could make a grown man cry. After that, we hit up a remembrance concert where Marla and Tom gave us a crash course in how folks from Ohio really let loose and party!

Top 5 things to do in Key West

1. Bring your buddies along - because nothing says "unforgettable adventure" like a group of friends making questionable decisions together!

2. Devour the seafood - every restaurant serves dishes so good, you'll consider moving into the ocean.

3. Embark on a kayak tour - whether you're a paddling pro or a splashy beginner, it's a hit for everyone!

4. Hop on a sunset cruise - it's like a floating party with a sky that can't stop blushing.

5. If you're dreaming of the Dry Tortugas, plan at least 3 months ahead. We didn't, so now we have a perfect excuse for a return trip!