All Around Florida

Where Were We?

Wow, we really let the blog slip this time. Last time you read about us we were back in Georgia looking at alligators. Now we are chilling in a tiny house outside of Austin, TX. We have come so far!

Let me catch you up on what has happened between then and now.

Florida: 11/01/17 - 11/10/17

We were in Florida for 10 days...10 DAYS! We had a great time visiting family and experiencing Florida culture, but after 10 days, we were so ready to move on to the next state. Haha!

I have always been curious about Florida ever since I was young. Emma has made several trips there for Crew and family vacations. My first Florida experience was in April 2017 when we had a 6 hour layover from Denver to Albany. Emma and I left the airport and took an Uber to Fort Lauderdale Beach. I was in awe of all the palm trees, neon signs and waterways. I had just enough time for a quick swim so I jumped into the Atlantic with only my boxers on. It was very warm water and so much fun! Unfortunately, when we re-entered the airport, I set off the Body Scanner at the TSA security checkpoint. Emma was laughing hysterically. I turned around and saw that the green character on the screen had lit up red all around the nether regions in the shape of boxers. I continued to explain that I had recently jumped into the ocean and it was only salt water soaking my underwear. They let me through after a few confusing looks and swab testings. It was an itchy plane ride home, but totally worth it.

Anyways, I wrote this blog post once already, had it 90% done, and then I lost all my work! So I'm giving you the quick version of Florida. Let's get this blog caught up! Shall we?

Found some boiled peanuts at a roadside stand. They were delicious! Tasted like pulled pork to me. Yumm!

Us arriving at Kate's condo in Clearwater, FL. "Catch me Erik!"

Amazing surf & turf dinner at Frenchy's with Emma's cousin Kate and Brian and their sons Brendon and Jacob. Thank you guys so much for your hosting us and helping us out along our journey. We had a great time visiting you and catching up and really appreciate it!

Emma and I took the bikes off the van in Miami and rode over to Miami Beach to see the Art Deco District. We love us some good old fashioned art deco.

Mansions on little islands on the ride to Miami Beach.

Here are all the cool Art Deco Hotels. I think they are so unique looking! Enjoy.

Us at Miami Beach.

10 days in Florida felt like eternity. lol ;)

Riding back to the van.

Cool shot of Miami downtown.

THE BEST COFFEE I'VE EVER HAD. Cafe Cubano. It's just espresso with whipped sugar called crema. The restaurant was called Latin American. This was in Miami.

On our way to Key Largo Kampground. Notice all the debris from hurricane Irma.

Let's stay here a few days!

Oh! Should we try snorkling?

Calling to go snorkeling.

Boat ride out to the John Pennekamp State Park. (Huge coral reef formation 5 miles off the coast!)

My first time snorkeling, Emma's second. We saw some very cool fish. Nothing too big (thank god, fish freak me out!). I almost went headfirst into a huge jellyfish tho. I wasn't looking where I was going and dodged it last second. That could have been bad.

Hanging out at the Kampground. Catching the rays. Sometimes iguanas would come up to the pool. Neat!

Had to pick up this little fan in the middle of the night it got so hot. Should have installed the roof fan/vent in the van.

The Road to Key West. Endless Bridges! Super Cool.

Pigeon Key: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_Key

Damage from Irma.

Vehicles are just on the side of the road that were wrecked during the hurricane.

Coolest Walgreens ever! (Sorry Anna)

Let's color the van like this!

Shipwrecked on Key West. I couldn't imagine a worse fate.

Yum.

The house south of the Southernmost house.

Can I get this for Van Burgundy?

Broke down on our way to visit my cousin Kelly and Jeff. Busted transmission cooling line. AAA came to our rescue and Bear Auto in Westin, FL took awesome care of us and even fixed a squealing belt we have had since leaving Saratoga! We were so relieved to have that fixed. Good thing we broke down.

Kelly and Jeff's Condo on Siesta Key. Thank you guys so much for letting us stay with you and treating us to some amazing meals! Siesta Key was a beautiful beach. Very good taste :)