Bahia Honda Bridge

3 July 2008

Woke up and had another exciting day. We were to meet in the lobby to transit to our snorkeling destinations. Up at 7 and off to Publix to get some breakfast for the kids. Rebecca had called, so we spoke as I shopped, and bought empenadas! Dylan ate pretty good, but Rachel is not interested in eating too much with any nutrition….. Off at 8 to Big Pine Key, stopping at the Key Deer visitor center which was closed. That did not stop the boys from discovering a rooster wandering through the parking lot, and giving it a run. We transited down Key Deer Boulevard, and hit pay dirt. A spike buck was standing fearlessly at the roadside, and a doe was a little further down the road. The other van was lucky as well, with Rachel onboard they saw a doe nursing a fawn!! So, with the key deer “check in the block”, we found the “Blue Hole” park, complete with an alligator hoping for some food handouts.

Off to Bahia Honda key where we stopped off at a natural aquarium as described in the Keys tour book. It is an atoll like boundaried bay with a steep drop off where the kids were in immediately, and finding urchin cores, coral, tube-like barnacles with fans for plankton, and lots of other Key natural treasures. We snorkled there for an hour, then off to Bahia Honda where we snorkled at the “touristy” beach for a while, and then hiked up the old Bahia Honda bridge for quite a sight. We saw some iguanas on the way up, and it was clear the heat had arrived. We did not pack lunch, but the other families, Corson and Ganzlers shared with us. The kids are having a blast in the water. All are snorkeling like they have been in the agua their whole lives, oh yeah, they have been!!

Got back to the Navy Lodge, and off to the Navy Commissary for provisions, mostly bought lunch and breakfast items with Caleb, and then it was time to get ready and head into Key West.

We hit the 1630 tour at the Key West aquarium. It was great to see the ray and shark feedings, see the resident iguana—Gunther, and feel around in the “touch tank” The kids enjoyed playing with the touch tank horeshoe crabs, sea cucumbers, starfish, conch, and various other snails and marine life. We got some of those flattened pennies of the aquarium.

Next, it was off to Duval Street to observe the craziness. Did a little window shopping, and the kids were all ready, with freshly paid allowances. No purchases this evening though. We had some snacks and watched the Key West tourist crew on parade.

Our next stop was Mallory Square to watch the freak show and the sunset. However, a storm was brewing, and a nearby flash and deafening thunder clap scared the daylights out of Rachel, and it was back to the car. I felt very wonderful walking with 3 tired hombres all vying to hold one of my 3 hands all the way back to the car.

Back at the Lodge, the boys retired to television, while Daddy and Rachel headed to the playground, which she has been begging for. Had a nice little time with my daughter in the playground, as we rode the boat, rang the bell, monkey bars, etc. A full speed ahead day. Deep sea fishing manana.

Dylans favorite activity today: Key West aquarium
Ryans favorite activity today: a tie of the aquariums—the natural one, and the Key West one
Rachel’s favorite activity today: Key West aquarium