One of the many blessings of living down in the Keys is that we’ve become everyone’s favorite tourist destination – especially for family traveling from chilly ol’ Chicago. Our first year here, we had every January and February weekends with new visitors! I’m often asked, are you tired of hosting yet?
Not by a long shot!
Living in the Keys gives us a new outlook on life – “Keys disease” is a real thing. Having to drive more than 15 minutes to get anywhere is a real chore. Getting out on the water every week is a way of life. And seeing new and old friends at every grocery, errand run, and night out is a pleasure and a privilege. We love sharing our small island community way of life. 
I get to share with so many loved ones my newfound cure-all for anxiety; anhingas and cormorants, alligators and manatees, fishing and swimming in the bay, consistent sunshine and plants that just grow without any coaxing!
We take them to Lorelei’s to watch the sunset with toes in the sand,
or to the Anhinga Trail through the easily accessible Homestead entrance to the Everglades,
or out on our new boat for a swim at Nest Key.
Here’s some favorite photos I’ve been holding onto, of those visitors and the joy that’s been a constant in our island life.
