Florida Keys Day 3

Monday February 16, 2026

This was our scuba dive/snorkle excursion on Big Pine Keys day. Good old Shawna got up and worked out with me in the fitness room even though she stayed up late. We packed up early and got to Big Pine at 8:40 am to get checked in with a bunch of other tourists who would be with us on the boat at 9am. We got in our wet suits (those things are hard to get on!) and took a 35 minute boat ride to a coral reef. Amy Kim and Wendy did the scuba dive and Shawna and I snorkled. Unfortunately, the ocean swells were about 2 feet high in the water this day, and even thought the Captain Hooks tour guide people insisted the weather was good enough to go on the tour, the rough waters kicked up too much sediment to see anything very well, and after the first dive half of the passengers got sea sick. We call that boat the Barf Bot because 7 people were puking over the side, including Amy and Kim. I was a bit nauseous myself on the ever rocking boat. 

The snorkling was cold but once I got used to the temperature I noticed there were many fishes of all sorts and colors and shapes and the purple coal leaves. I have a hard time peeing in a wet suit so I was uncomfortable until our 2nd dive spot when I got back in and finally forced myself to pee. Kim and Amy couldn't go back in the water but Wendy did the second dive. I got out after a swim around the boat because the swells were too high, sometimes 3 feet it seemed, and the water was murky. So many poor sick people waited for the divers to come back and finally get back to land. So thankful for safety and the fun we had despite the non-ideal diving conditions. 

We stopped at a park in Big Pines to eat the lunch Shawna made for us--chicken salad sandwiches and grapes. I was ravenous but Amy and Kim could barely eat a thing. It was a beautiful park by the ocean and we had a nice time talking and enjoying the scenery. We went home for a rest and cleaned up, then went to a Cuban Restaurant and Wendy and I shared a Cuban Sandwich, they are huge! And so good. We went to Sweet Savanna's after dinner and got some key lime pie there, that is a happening place with a line through the building into the next shop. I bought an overpriced T-shirt that said Sweet Savannah on it for Sav and to wear as jammies because I forgot mine. They had the best pie there! My favorite one, creamy but a good lime tang. The girls stayed up late talking again! I had to go to bed at 9 again. Kim and I shared a room and she is very clean quite and considerate, I hardly knew she was there! 

Florida Keys Day 2

Sunday February 15, 2026

Day 2 was restful. The weather was beautiful, we lucked out (or another miracle) on the timing because FL had a cold front move in the week prior to us coming, and another cold snap hit the day we left! I was up earlier than everyone so I made myself some breakfast and sat on the back patio. Kim joined me with her tea and we chatted for a while, then Wendy joined us as well. Birds chirping and wind swaying the palm trees--I could be perfectly content to stay on that back patio all week! 

Wendy, Shawna, Amy and I left for church at 9:40 and had a lovely time at the tiniest church building I've ever attended with the Marathon Keys branch. The talks were about miracles and I loved the message that felt we were experiencing the whole trip--it's not the magnitude that makes it a miracle but the source. I'm thankful for God answering prayers for good weather, safety and the peace and friendship we all felt with each other. Kim presented us all with necklaces she bought at our last girls trip in Maui two years ago. She also gave us all beach towels. She is so generous and we all loved our gifts! My necklace matched my dress perfectly. 

After church we packed up and went to Bajia Onda State Park to have some beach time. The national parks were free to the public this weekend and saved us the $50 entrance fee. We laid in the sun and read and waded in the water. We even got a little bit of ukulele serenade in the background. Soaked in the sun but tried to stay in the umbrella shade to not get burned or browned too quickly. Kim couldn't get enough of the sun and she was tanned by the second day!

We went on a short nature walk to look at the only train bridge they build in 1912 that is no longer in use and is in disrepair. It was destroyed by hurricane in 1935 and only parts of it are used as a walking trail now. The drive along I-1 is so beautiful with water and mangrove islands on every side. 

Kim and Shawna made us dinner back at the resort, it was so good! Chicken potatoes and green beans, we even had some leftover bread to go with it from Fish Island Co. I was still a bit groggy tired from lack of sleep and grateful to not have to cook. I'm eating too much but it's fun to experience these different foods like Cuban butter cream cake--blech! We all tried it and then threw it out. I went to bed right at nine but the others stayed up late talking again! How do we find so much to talk about? IDK but we love it!