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Writer's pictureAmy Shackelford Lipcius

The Florida Keys

I love reading. Always have. I devour books like people breathe air. The library is my place and I visit various branches weekly. Shout out to the Madeira branch of the Cincinnati Public Library. Woop woop! My favorite author has always been Ernest Hemingway. Maybe it was spending half of my childhood in Idaho that rubbed off on me but I've always admired his style and overall mystique. I've been to his memorial in Ketchum, Idaho where he sadly committed suicide, but I'd never had the opportunity to see his Florida home. Fun fact: Hadley was named after Hemingway's first wife. She's also the only child I had the opportunity to name. I'm still not sure how Jess "won" the naming rights on our first two? But I digress...



Christmas break 2021 saw us en route to Islamorada in the Florida Keys for a little Winter break. I never realized just how long the state is Florida was until we drove all the long way down to the Keys. I may have threatened to throw all three of my children from the car at various points along the Florida highway but luckily we all made it in one piece. Finally. We rented a large, oceanfront home with a pier near the heart of Islamorada. It was gorgeous! We had our own pier and pool, making it hard to think of every heading home. Seriously, ones own pier is vastly under estimated. We started our days with pier yoga, then breakfast, fishing and some happy hour drinks while watching the sunset... all on our pier! "Owning own pier" quickly made it to the top of my bucket list.


Our attempt at fishing in the ocean yielded nothing. Nada. Zip. So we did a little research and located a close, well-stocked Key Largo fish market in Key Largo Fisheries. We can't catch fish but they certainly can! We bought oysters, conch, grouper and hog fish. Hog fish was on Jess' radar as he had attempted to order it on on of our trips to Atlantis, at Jose Andres' Fish, but it was sold out. Spoiler alert: the hog dish was delicious! The seafood quality was impeccable as was their Key Lime Pie.


We were on a mission to find the best Key Lime Pie in the Keys. We left no stone (pie?) unturned. The winner of the what seemed like 4000 pies sampled? The Blonde Giraffe Key Line Pie Factory. Such a cute and well stocked shop with very informative staff. We got quite the history of making pies along with a glimpse into some of the various awards they won. We tried a chocolate dipped Key Lime Pie on a stick, which I may have fought Jess for the last bite. This place is definitely worth the visit.



We heard great things about a place called Robbies in Islamorada, the "#1 place to visit in the Keys" and home of the "world-famous tarpon (fish) feeding." Robbies is basically an enormous flea market, restaurant, bar and entertainment venue all-in-one. It is an experience! It was raining when we arrived so we made a quick stop to purchase Mexican blanket ponchos. Looking fabulous, we picked up some souvenirs before settling into a late lunch complete with chocolate dipped Key Lime Pie on a stick! Heaven. We fed the tarpons and watched the sunset from their dock. Such a fun time!


On our last full day in Islamorada we gassed up and headed down to Key West. Yes, the Hemingway House was awaiting. The drive is a bit longer than one would think it hey, it's Hemingway! The house did not disappoint. We were welcomed by the famous six-toed cats. I adore how they just saunter around the property, relaxing and soaking in the visitor's attention. I stopped by the on-site bookstore and picked up a copy of my favorite Hemingway novel, The Old Man and The Sea. I've read it a dozen times and it felt so special to buy another copy at the actual house of Ernest! I took a quick pic of Hadley with the Hemingway entry signed and my bucket list was checked that day.



We had an relaxing outdoor lunch just up the street from the Hemingway house at El Meson De Pepe's Restaurant and Bar. This spot was perfect for both people and poultry watching. Have I mentioned all the chickens/ roosters that strut around Key West? Because they are everywhere. I wanted to take one home to use as an alarm clock for Brooke. She is just impossible to get out of bed. We ordered a few pitchers of mojitos while enjoying the Cuban cuisine. So much yum!!

Our Key West adventure ended at the "Southernmost Point in the U.S." marker, watching the sunset 90 miles north of Cuba. I think Cuba will be added to my bucket list as well. Some day.


Until next time!!

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