Kelly snorkeling in Bahia Honda.

The Keys, FL

It was Sunday and time to head down to Marathon. No, not a 26.2-mile run, but a town named Marathon in Florida about halfway between Key Largo and Key West. Despite being just 110 miles south of Miami, it took about three hours to drive down there due to the horizontal traffic lights glowing red with about the frequency of a metronome set to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, the low speed limits and the putzy grey-haired drivers. But it was well worth to meet up with Kelly and her family, who were renting a home right off a harbor for vacation. Together we soaked in the sun, splashed in blue-green water and even felt some wind through our hair.

We first met up at Bahia Honda State Park, where I found them tanning on the beach. Kelly seemed happy to see me particularly because she wanted someone to go snorkeling with and I was happy to oblige. We put on snorkeling gear including giant fins that made us feel like sharks. Kelly wore a wetsuit even though the water temperature was perfect for swimming, but she being something of a weather wimp, the body-hugging neoprene kept her from shivering and complaining. This was my very first time doing this particular water activity, and I enjoyed looking at corral, plant life and fishies underwater while breathing from a tube while drifting in a prone position.

The day after, we did another activity that would be a first for both Kelly and me: jet skiing! Jim and Sally—who had rented jet skis the week prior in the same area we did—expressed dismay that they were only allowed to venture out into the open waters away from the shore instead of along the shore, but this did not dissuade us. In fact, we reveled in accelerating from 2 to 25 mph in no time flat, and then opening the throttle even more to attain speeds up to 44 mph. Having only been in boats, canoes and kayaks before, I was astonished at how quickly these Yamahas could change velocity. They were akin to motorcycles for the water, except that to turn required no counter-steering or shifting of weight, just turning the handlebars while staying on the throttle. (Personal watercraft such as this cannot turn without assistance from the motor.)

Kelly soon declared this was the most fun activity she did all weekend, and I think the same went for her little buddy Flat Stanley, a paper cutout she had to carry around and take pictures of doing cool and interesting things for her nephew and his class.

Kelly and Flat Stanley having a good time jet skiing.
Kelly and Flat Stanley having a good time jet skiing.

She laminated him before the trip. Good call.

Later that day, Kelly and Sally went kayaking from the house against rapidly flowing water while Jim and I hung out and talked about cars. Then we all went to Sombrero Beach to watch a marvelous sunset.

Sunset.
Sunset.

At the beach there was a newly minted bride in a wedding dress getting photos taken in the water. Meanwhile, Flat Stanley was getting his photos taken being tied to a tree. But besides the last Florida sunset we’d see on this trip, I think the highlight for Kelly on this evening was encountering four little doggies that resembled miniature versions of her collie Kona:

Flat Stanley and Kelly with the mini-collies.
Flat Stanley and Kelly with the mini-collies.

Flat Stanley would have lots of photos and stories of jet skis, sand and furry animals to share with his class when he got back to Colorado.

Sally and Kelly at Bahia Honda.
Sally and Kelly at Bahia Honda.
Kelly snorkeling in Bahia Honda.
Kelly snorkeling in Bahia Honda.
Underwater now.
Underwater now.
Coral rock.
Coral rock.
Some of the plant life at the bottom of the water.
Some of the plant life at the bottom of the water.
The harbor of the home we stayed at in Marathon, Florida.
The harbor of the home we stayed at in Marathon, Florida.
Jet skiing miles west of the shore of Marathon, Florida.
Jet skiing miles west of the shore of Marathon, Florida.
"Danger: Shoal"
"Danger: Shoal"
Flat Stanley wanted to drive the jet ski, apparently.
Flat Stanley wanted to drive the jet ski, apparently.
Kelly and her veggie-filled homemade taco.
Kelly and her veggie-filled homemade taco.
Sally and Kelly kayaking in a two-man kayak.
Sally and Kelly kayaking in a two-man kayak.
Paddling underneath the deck of the house.
Paddling underneath the deck of the house.
Now trying to kayak out against the current in individual kayaks.
Now trying to kayak out against the current in individual kayaks.
A Portuguese Man o
A Portuguese Man o
Flat Stanley tied to a tree.
Flat Stanley tied to a tree.
Kelly and a guacomole/sour cream "taco." It was "not very good," she said.
Kelly and a guacomole/sour cream "taco." It was "not very good," she said.
Smiley face on a tree at Sombrero Beach.
Smiley face on a tree at Sombrero Beach.
Felix Wong and Kelly watching a last Florida sunset.
Felix Wong and Kelly watching a last Florida sunset.
A woman with four mini-collies came walking upon the beach and they greeted Kelly.
A woman with four mini-collies came walking upon the beach and they greeted Kelly.
Also at the beach was a new bride taking photos for over an hour, many in the water!
Also at the beach was a new bride taking photos for over an hour, many in the water!