We told ourselves we weren’t going to run ourselves to death checking out all the local stuff, however, being the learners we are and seeing as there was all this stuff to see and do, what choice did we have?  We’ve decided that staying inside the whole time because of the heat and humidity is a viable option, but that would mean being inside all day every day.  So, we brave the heat, drink the water and perspire the water.  By the gallon.  Somehow Doug makes it look better than I do but I suppose I would look better too if I didn’t put all this stuff on my face in the morning just to sweat it off the moment I walk out the door.

One of the joys and sometimes the frustration of only the two of you traveling is that 1) with only two people it doesn’t take long to decide what you want to do for the day unless 2) you spend the day saying things like “where do you want to go?”  and getting answers like “I don’t know.  Where do YOU want to go?”.  This could go on for awhile.  The good thing about us is the we tend to like most of the same stuff, so the agenda yesterday consisted of the Hemingway House, the Key West light house and a ghost hunt.

The best part of this day was how much I learned.  No, I didn’t know all of Hemingway’s history, or about the 6 toed cats.  I have read a couple of his books, but the biggest connection I have is that my grandmother and Hemingway’s mother were neighbors in Oak Park, Illinois where he was born.  At this time, he was long gone from the house and I often wonder if his mom would brag about her son and all of the adventures he was having.  I made it a point to take pictures of the space where he wrote – alone of course, his comfy chair, books, writing table and typewriter in a space where he wrote ten novels I believe in the space of 8-9 years.  It was inspiring to listen to the story of what he would write about (and who ; ) and that it was always about someone or somewhere he knew or an experience he had.  We had the BEST guide with a great sense of humor, who seemed to take great pleasure from the fact that Hemingway had four wives and that they were all friends.  They had a LOT in common as she would explain, LOL!

Across the road from the Hemingway house was the light house.  Originally right on the beach (Hemingway’s house was originally beachfront property), it now sits more in the middle of town as at some point, they decided to just make the island bigger.  Who knew you could do that?  And how did they make it bigger and with what materials?  Inquiring minds want to know.  Afraid of heights myself, I watched as far as I could as Doug climbed the spiral staircase to the top fo the lighthouse and I took pictures of the plants and animals on the property.  At one point he yelled down to me, “hey, did you see the iguana?  It was big enough to see from up here!”.  This immediately sent me to looking around me and staying far away from the lighthouse, because while he was excited about it, me not so much.

After showering again and changing clothes, it was off to dinner and a ghost hunt.  Not a ghost tour, but a hunt where we would get to have equipment and try to call someone out from beyond.  I’m sure we have been more successful if not for the cheery, LOUD guide who needed no megaphone but certainly sounded like she already had one.  I’m also pretty sure she scared away any  ghosts that might have been there.  There she would stand, 10 p.m., yelling stories to the group of 30 following her down the street.  Entertaining, but didn’t see any ghosts like I did in Savannah.  Better ghosts there I think. Or maybe the ghosts were just annoyed.  It was, however, a little creepy to do a “cleansing” before we left the tour to make sure nothing would follow us home.  I have to admit I was a little creeped out going to bed last night.

Today began with a trip to the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory where we had the chance to see birds and butterflies.  I’ve been to butterfly habitats before but this one took my breath away, literally.  I held a sob in my throat while these stunning blue butterflies, who seemed to rule the roost, thrilled everyone with their aerial acrobatics.  It was just so beautiful.  I asked one of the people who worked there, what it felt like to work here and her response was that everyone was very stress free.  But how could you not be with all of those beautiful colors flying around you?

We followed this experience with smoothies at a little sidewalk cafe and waited for the bus.  Then our excitement for the day really began,  We were waiting with four ladies who were speaking Italian, obviously family.  After a few minutes, one of them spotted the bus coming, but Doug and I were distracted by this cute yellow island vehicle.  Without warning, CRASH!! A big SUV clipped a smaller white car and the driver of the white car was NOT happy.  Unfortunately, our distraction didn’t allow us to see everything that happened, so although we felt bad, we left these two gentlemen to figure things out for themselves.

We went back to the house and hit the pool, with a nap for him and writing time for me. And that’s what vacation/getting away should be.  Adventures, seeing and learning about new things, and somethings doing absolutely nothing with your best friend.  We’re embracing our “tourist” selves and loving it.