Travel Day to Key West

Today’s drive on the Overseas Highway was beautiful. The 113 mile-long highway took us through the Florida Keys to Key West. It was stunning. For much of the drive, we travelled on a bridge that connects many small islands. The water out our windows was a beautiful turquoise colour and so serene. Inside the truck, it was busy! The kids had school meetings to attend and school work to catch up on. 

Our destination was a great campground that Ron found just outside Key West called Boyd’s Campground. The KOA suffered hurricane damage a few years ago and remains closed. So, this was a first for us to stay somewhere other than a KOA on this trip, but Boyd’s Campground had similar amenities to the KOAs we’ve stayed at and  felt the same. Sadly, it lacks a playground, so the kids said they couldn’t give it a 5 star rating.  

Once we set up camp, Ron and Wyatt explored the area while Ariel and I finished up her school work and I fiddled with the printer. I have struggled with setting up our portable printer due to poor cell service at the National Parks but I determined to figure it out today!  My heart breaks each time Wyatt is not able to complete work with his classmates because we can’t print out his October school packet.

If you ever travel with a portable printer make sure you set it up at home and install the drivers on your laptop while you still have a strong WIFI network. Finally, I got it to work, though. HURRAY!! Now Ariel and Wyatt can fully participate in their classes. I was giddy as I printed out all of Wyatt’s school work to carry him through his October classes and we printed out Ariel’s assignment to colour and write about why she loves fall.

It doesn’t feel like fall where we are and I admit I am missing the cozy sweater weather of home. This time of year we would be decorating the house for Halloween, picking out pumpkins and having fires in our fireplace. Soon enough we will be home and I will be wondering why I ever missed the cool weather. I’ll enjoy the heat and sunshine while I can! Something else we would do differently is we would have packed a metal crate for the pups since it allows for more air flow when we travel.  The swamp vests are great and help so much but I still feel bad for them in the heat.  

Tonight, I was finally able to convince Ron to stay in and have dinner. He loves to eat out but after awhile I just want a nice home-cooked meal. When we eat, the kids stick to chicken fingers and fries and mac and cheese. It’s time to get some vegetables into their little bodies.

With all the driving we’ve been doing, the laundry really piled up. Yep here we go again, more laundry. The kiddos played in the games room while I filled every available washing machine.  There was a bit more fighting than playing so eventually Ariel decided to hang out with me instead. Ron played foosball with Wyatt and thankfully peace was restored. I wish I had packed our fold up wagon to help with the transporting of laundry. I have been getting my exercise with all the trips I have to make just to get laundry to and from the laundromat. Tomorrow our plan is to explore Key West.

Goodnight again from Florida!