Our second full day in the Keys were largely spent outdoors. We spent the morning at Higgs Beach, which is man made, like all of the other beaches in Key West. The kids made sand angels, snacked, and chased after birds. We searched the shore for shells and sharks teeth but instead found a lot of chunks of clear and blue gelatinous material. When my parents came back from a walk we learned from them it was pieces of Portuguese man-of-war. Fortunately we managed not to get stung. During a walk along the pier, a kind local fisherman pointed out some live Man-of-War that were floating nearby.

Mom and Dad leaving for a stroll along the beach. Dad came back with a handkerchief full of Portugese man-of-war bits to show us.

Searching for treasures

Sand angel

Violet plucked this styrofoam floaty ball from the sea

Checking out the Man-of-Wars

Can you see the two that are in this photo?

Violet “snuck up” behind this pelican and all three of us managed to get startled.

After enjoying two playgrounds within walking distance, we trekked over to West Martillo Tower, a civil war era fort converted into a tropical garden paradise.

From there we walked to the Key West Wildlife Rescue Center and met another very nice local. The lady who was working there welcomed us enthusiastically and gave the kids pellets to feed the turtles. Violet especially enjoyed the aviaries and we all were excited to see our first wild iguana.

That night the kids hung out with their grandparents at the pool while Ben and I went into town to attend a wedding. Ben was a groomsman for his friends and coworkers, John and Brooke.

By far the most unique part of the celebration was when this tribe of rabble-rousers arrived. The ringleader (center of picture in red) was at least 80 years old and wearing boots that were higher heeled than I’d ever dared. The raucous group lead us all, sparklers in hand, from the resort where the service and reception were held, down Duval street to another venue, where the party continued. It was a beautiful and very memorable night.