Best Valentine’s Day Ever!
An amazing sunset viewed from the deck at Sundowner’s Restaurant in Key Largo, Florida.
We haven’t always been the best at celebrating Valentine’s Day throughout our marriage.
Many times, it would register as the 3rd or 4th most important thing happening that day. Kids’ activities, work schedules, and the craziness that comes with life as a family of five all took precedence.
However, in 2022, it was time to change this.
We woke up early as normal and decided live life on the edge, (at least for us 😊).
This Valentine’s Day there was no advanced planning, no specific route, a shortage of snacks and an uncertain destination were all that awaited us.
It was time for some spontaneity!
We jumped in the King and started driving south towards Miami.
Along the way we discussed our options and decided our first stop would be somewhere in the Everglades.
This was a place Andrea had always wanted to visit but had yet to do so.
While I drove and navigated the crazy traffic, she searched for our first destination.
No shortage of large gators at the Everglades Alligator Farm
One of favorite things about traveling is getting recommendations on where to eat, things to do and see from the locals we are blessed to befriend.
About four hours later, and on the recommendation of Leslie and Alejandro, we pulled into the Everglades Alligator Farm for an airboat tour.
During our tour we saw numerous alligators, exotic birds, and some of the biggest iguanas we had ever seen. Their sighting came with mixed emotions, as iguanas are not native to Florida and as an invasive species, they have been wreaking havoc on the balance of the ecosystem in the “Glades”.
We also experienced the speed, power, and loudness of the airboats. It felt a lot like flying as we skimmed across the water, grasses, and got soaked with every high-speed U-turn we made.
The two of us at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Fl. Valentine’s Day 2022
From there we decided it would be crazy to be this far south and not at least check out the Keys.
After a short 45 minute drive we arrived at, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida.
This allowed us time to get in a short hike and be mesmerized by the “forest” at the ocean.
So many different types of trees growing less than a foot above sea level. In our travels the variety of trees and plant life that thrive is such diverse environments continues to amaze us.
Then it was time for the grand finale.
Across the key we went to the Florida Bay side of Key Largo. Here it was time to celebrate with dinner on the deck at Sundowner’s.
Here we witnessed one of the most amazing sunsets ever as the sun seemed to sink into the ocean.
This was the kind of day we could only have imagined living a short time ago.
Now thankfully, it is our reality.
We love dreaming big and then chasing them down one at a time!
Please visit us on Instagram @alternateroads to get daily updates of our travel adventures