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7 Mile Bridge in
Marathon, FL |
Our family just returned from a family vacation and we brought back lots of special memories. A week in the Florida Keys was beautiful with occasional rain and thunder showers in the afternoon. This was a year we celebrated 3 birthdays (mine, our oldest daughter, Kristen, and son-in-law, Chris,) RV's and my 30th wedding anniversary, and a friend's wedding proposal (on the beautiful Gulf side in Marathon).
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RV and MH
Happy 30th Anniversary |
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| Our Vacation Home - Marathon FL |
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| We definitely decorate for our birthday parties! |
We enjoyed several invited guests who are considered family and the week was filled with laughter, good food, snorkeling, fishing, games, and a time where we could enjoy special times and relax.
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| One of the popular pool games |
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| Fishing on the end of the dock at sunset |
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Dinner at The Island Fish Company
Marathon, FL |
We left our motorhome at our home base and drove south to Marathon where our 3 families rented a large home with a pool on the peaceful Gulf side, and comfortable for all of us. Eating healthy was done sometimes, but it wasn't possible most of the time.
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| By the way, you can have dessert for breakfast on your vacation! |
Restaurants are plentiful and awesome in this area - lots of fresh seafood and lots of good food.
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| One of the best sunsets in the world! |
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The Sunset Grille is at the foot of the 7 Mile Bridge in
Marathon |
Grilled blackened mahi-mahi is definitely something we look forward to every time we are in the Keys - and our son in law, Harold, always prepares it very well!
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| Leaving with high expectations! |
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| Lots of fish stories this afternoon! |
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| A 26 lb. mahi-mahi |
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| That smile says it all! |
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| Lauren, Chris and Kenneth |
Fishing is always a big part of coming to the Florida Keys. Our son in law is the fisherman and the week was filled with early 7:00 a.m.departures and mid-afternoon 3:00 p.m. arrivals from where the fish were caught about 30 miles off the Atlantic Ocean side.
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| A day's catch of mahi-mahi |
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| Harold and Donnie filleting mahi for dinner |
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| Lots of fish to clean today! |
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| The boat is ready for tomorrow |
Preparations for the next day take place as soon as the boat arrives - cleaning mahi or fresh tuna most likely. The boat and the fish are cleaned and plans are in place for the next day.
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| A peaceful end of the day |
Usually we make several trips to Key West during the week. Not only is it always a scenic ride but there's always lots to do when you arrive as a tourist. We left one special guest at the Key West airport and picked up another surprise special guest, and then we all enjoyed a fabulous dinner together before we returned to Marathon.
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| Key West docks and Marina |
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| Key West Marina and Boat Docks |
Shopping is best done in Key West as just about the only places in Marathon were Beall's Outlet, Sandals Outlet, tourist shops, and a K-Mart...seriously. But you'd be surprised at all they had at that huge K-Mart! The island has a Publix and Winn Dixie, so we were set to eat.
Saturday is the day all the people who rented a house are exiting the the Florida Keys, so it is a good idea to plan an early departure if possible. Also, lots of people are arriving as new visitors to the Keys so you will be in a 2 lane only traffic jam most likely, no matter which way you're headed. The boat landings are lined up with everyone getting their boats in or out of the water.
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| Arrivals and Departures - Every Saturday morning |
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| Sunrise in Marathon, FL |
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| Sunset in Marathon, FL |
Just be patient - you're on island time!!
