Our time in Marathon is winding down, but each day is welcomed and cherished...beautiful blue water, sunny skies, warm breezes and fun with family and friends.
We had SUCH fun with our kids when they were here. Dave & Jen went to Key West for a couple of days so we had time to spoil Kade without the parents around. :) He is a happy little guy...always smiling and happy, and very inquisitive, just like a little one should be. We so loved our time together, a rare treat for us to have an entire week!
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| Dave, Jen & Kade taking a walk onto the pier by Cabana Breezes |
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| Our sweet, adorable little Kade...always happy |
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| Took a trip to the Marathon Aquarium, good choice |
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| You can touch the rays in the tank at the aquarium |
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| Excited to go to the Turtle Hospital! |
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| This is a real sea turtle that had died of natural causes and they had it preserved so people could see it up close and personal. Kade loved it! |
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| "Feeding" the turtle. Sent this picture to Dave & Jen when they were in Key West and neglected to tell them the turtle wasn't alive. I think they were a bit concerned about Grandma's babysitting skills and inquired about the state of his fingers and remarked about how brave he was. |
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| Many turtles in rehab at the hospital. Some will be returned to the sea, but the ones with "bubble butt" will never be able to be released. Great place to visit...lots of information about the sea turtles. |
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| Grandpa and Kade feeding the turtles |
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| Kade was very engaged and inquisitive throughout the turtle hospital tour |
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| Kade and Uncle Gordie became very good friends |
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| Kade loved his stroller rides to see the sights. He's going to save his money and buy a house for Grandma & Grandpa in Key Colony Beach |
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| The family enjoying happy hour at Cabana Breezes. Kade was very popular with patrons and waitresses, and especially his family. |
Bev got her first dinghy ride for a tour through Key Colony Beach. Fun!
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| Captain Jim giving Bev instructions on where to step and sit, she not sure she wants to get in. |
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Ah, this is pretty nice, but I think I'll hold on tight until I get my sea legs.
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A few days after the kids departed, we drove to Key West very early in the morning and boarded the Yankee Freedom for a trip to the Dry Tortugas. The trip was a bit pricey, but well worth it! We had a great day with the 4 of us and 3 other couples. Toured Fort Jefferson, snorkeled, and had many laughs. Perfectly calm, beautiful sunny day!
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| The fort takes up nearly all of the Dry Tortugas that are above water. |
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| This fort was so perfectly located that there were no attacks during the time the fort was in use. It would have been impossible for a ship to perform a sneak attack because it had 360 views of the ocean far into the distance. |
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| Mark & Vicki Hill & Jim taking off their wetsuits. Great snorkeling! |
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| Our ferry boat, Yankee Freedom |
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| Pictures can't capture the beauty of the Dry Tortugas. Spectacular! |
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| Beautiful sandy beaches and clear blue water, a beachcomber's paradise |
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| View of Yankee Freedom from the top of the fort |
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| Interior of the fort as seen from the top |
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| View of the water from the top of the fort |
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| Mark & Jim pretending they are ready to shoot the cannon...such little boys at heart! |
Friends Ron & Amy and Brad & Mina came from Naples for a couple of days to visit. Such a treat, and so much fun! Yesterday afternoon we took a walk on the 7-mile bridge, then came back and took a cocktail cruise on Patriot to enjoy the afternoon beauty and calm seas.
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| Amy, Bev, Mina, Connie snuggled up with wine and blankets enjoying the ride back home |
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| Dear friend Amy enjoying the cruise |
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| Brad, posing for an up close and personal photo |
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| Spectacular sunset...can't get enough of this beauty! |
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| Ahhh! |
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| Pictures can't capture the beauty of all the colors in the sky |
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| The sky is on fire! |
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| Caught in a prism of colors! |
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| Even the birds love the sunset |
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| Almost home |
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| Entrance to "our" canal. Now it's time for fresh fish and shrimp and more laughs! We are blessed to have our health, so many wonderful people in our lives, and the opportunity to be on this eventful adventure! |
