FAMILY BEACH DAY: BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK

May as well face it: we’re beach people. And this? Our happy place. Bahia Honda State Park is regularly included in Top Beaches lists for good reason.  20-odd years ago Paul and I visited here twice in two or three years, and I have to say memory did not do it justice.

We already know what we want to do next time, too.

The tiny key shown above is a brief paddle.  We plan to rent kayaks from the park marina and spend a few hours snorkeling and enjoying the remote beach as well as what must be an incredible view of Bahia Honda.

The day we spent this first trip was focused on low-barrier relaxation.

VACATION OUTING: HEMINGWAY HOME

In the heart of downtown Key West, The Earnest Hemingway Home was built in the 1850s to be the grandest home in town by a wealthy man with a large family. Tragically, he lost his family, and the home fell in to disrepair, rumored to be haunted or cursed. Earnest Hemingway and his wife Pauline restored the home to its former grandeur.

For my family, it was really nice to be in lush, tropical gardens once again. The home is located on a full acre, so there is a roominess you rarely feel in a city.

 

The kids were fascinated by the six-toed cats. Honestly, they were, oh… nearly identical to ordinary cats, aside from the silly looking feet.

            

It was a fun way to spend an couple of hours while wandering downtown Key West. We think we’d like to try one of the trolley tours sometime, too—maybe a haunted one. :)