Summer... the ultimate time to relax and renew

Just got back from a trip to the Keys. We stayed in Islamorada for a few days for some SCUBA, snorkeling, and spear fishing, followed by a one night stay in Key West. I was very excited to finally use my SCUBA certification!  It's such a fantastic experience.  I find it funny how often I look out at the water and I forget how much life and energy is happening beneath the surface.  SCUBA diving is such a relaxing sport (minus the 8 foot shark we saw...!) and really reminds you to both admire and respect what nature has created.

My boyfriend had never been to Key West so I made sure to take him to all of the must-see bars (Irish Kevin's, Sloppy Joe's, Hog's Breath...). Stayed in a cute little hotel one block from Duval Street so we got plenty of walking in as well.

It was so nice to take a break from the world.  While I love my job and every part of my life, I think we all need to break way from time to time to appreciate other places.  I always end up missing home, though, which can't be a bad thing!  It simply means I have a reat home to come back to.

Here are a few photo highlights.

"These are a few of my favorite things..." The yoga tree pose and SCUBA!



Marcos trying on a hat w/ dreads. The Starbucks coffee just matches the look so well...!



Attack of the sponge man!!



Brazilians = tree climbers?



After dinner at Lazy Days in Islamorada.



Marcos on SCUBA.



What we look like to the fish.



Dad on the hookala (Brownie).



Dad and Barb, getting ready to dinghy to dinner.



Doesn't get more beautiful than the blues of the Caribbean.



Outside the marina in Islamorada.