We have had a week to recover from our Key West migration. Thought we could share some of our experiences with the BN family.
We drove from our home in the Florida panhandle to Orlando for two nights to celebrate Cat's birthday with our 'keets. We spent the day poolside at the hotel and then the kids took us out to dinner to Jimmy Hula's and cocktails at Friendly Confines Sports Bar. First time we've had a Pickle Back shot.

Cathi and Chelsea at Jimmy Hula's

Cathi and Christin at Jimmy Hula's

Birthday Shots at Friendly Confines
We traveled a little further south to Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Islands for three nights. On our first night, we discovered a beautiful hidden beach a block from our hotel complete with a view of the Sanibel Lighthouse to our right, Ft. Myers Beach to our left, a sea turtle nest and plenty of dolphins playing in the bay.

Our Secret Beach
The next day we spent bumming around the beaches and bars of Captiva and Sanibel. While swimming at Blind Pass, we noticed a pod of manatees swimming close to shore. Cat swam out to them and actually got to play with them, Big old dudes but very docile. After the beach we hit the Mucky Duck, 'Tween Waters, Doc Ford's Rum Bar and Grill, and the Green Flash.

Mr. Utley soaking up some rays
Our second day was a bit of a wash out. We had to cancel our trip to Cabbage Key but made the most of it by going to Fort Myers Beach and happy hour at The Beached Whale. We also had dinner at a cool little sports bar called Gatortails near the Sanibel Causeway.
We drove down the old Alligator Alley (US 41) following some of Tim Dosery's story lines. We stopped at the Loop Road mentioned in Electric Barracuda. If you want a good chuckle and learn some cool Florida history and trivia, pick up one of Tim Dorsey's books featuring Serge A. Storms and his perpetually stoned sidekick, Coleman.

Wayne at the east end of the Loop Road
We stopped at Big Pine Key, home of the endangered Key Deer, and had lunch at the No Name Pub. Caught a glimpes of a Key Deer as we parked at the restaurant.

Key Deer

Cat and the No Name Pub
We arrived in Key West on Cathi's birthday. After checking in at the Tropical Inn, we began our version of the Duval Crawl. First The Top Bar at the La Concha for sunset, then on to Smokin' Tuna, Island Dogs Bar, Schooner Wharf (where met Lesley!) and then back to Margaritaville for a night cap.

Our view of Duval from our patio at the Tropical Inn B&B

Cat at the Smokin' Tuna

Smokin' Tuna friends
The next morning we had breakfast at Blue Heaven and Bloody Caesars at The Roof Top Cafe with Popcorn Jack. That evening we caught a play called "You've Got Hate Mail" at the Red Barn Theater co-starring our very own Popcorn Jack! Very funny!

Wayne at Blue Heaven

Us at The Roof Top Cafe

After the show with Jack! Thank you Jack!
Our next day we went snorkeling with Sunset Watersports to Sand Key and Rock Key. The water was a bit rough and the visibility was medium, but we did manage to see a huge Spotted Ray, some 'Cudas and tons of colorful fish. Afterwards we had lunch at BO Fishwagon. Great conch fritters! After a relaxing afternoon at the Tropical Inn's beautiful courtyard and pool we did the Mallory Square sunset routine and had dinner at Margaritaville.

Departing Sand Key and Lighthouse

Wayne at BO Fishwagon

Sunset at Mallory Square
Our last day started with some shopping at Koz's Green World Gallery. He knows his Trop Rock! Cat bought a beautiful turtle framed mirror and Koz got to meet Mr. Utley. We stopped by Sloppy Joe's for the Running of the Bulls for Hemingway Days. We then headed down to the Schooner Wharf for an afternoon of Micheal McCloud. We hooked with Jack again for some great times. (Thank you again Jack!)

Koz and Mr. Utley

Running of the Bulls and the Papas

Cat talking with Michael McCloud

Jack and Mr. Utley

Cat and Jack
We hated leaving KW Sunday morning and drove back to Orlando in the rain for a BBQ dinner with our youngest 'keet's fiance's family. About an hour into the BBQ, Mario and Chelsea announced that they were getting married, RIGHT THEN! They had a Notary waiting outside. No one had a clue this was coming. They had a beautiful four minute ceremony. We were shocked but elated! It was the most incredible ending to a wonderful vacation!

Mario and Chelsea Cacciatore!