It was July 4th weekend and I had nothing to do. My daughter would be with her Dad for the four day stretch, and I had made no plans for myself. A long weekend and I had nothing scheduled…no one to visit, no barbecues to attend. I committed to nothing. I hated the thought of facing that weekend alone. So, what did I do?
Drum roll, please…I went to the Florida Keys.
Now, this might not seem like the boldest of moves until you realize that Key West was where my ex and I spent our honeymoon just 3 years ago. I was drawn to the keys like a moth to a flame. I felt this burning need to reclaim the place. Going there was about so much more than sunshine, music and margaritas. It was about proving to myself that I was going to be all right. That I could somehow live fully again.
Instead of flying into Key West directly, I flew into Miami and rented a car. In my mind the drive to the Keys would be beautiful and therapeutic, transcendent even. In reality it was “Meh…not so much.” Much of the drive felt like a busy bypass in any beach town. Both sides of the highway lined with campy beach shops selling trinkets, surf t-shirts and souvenirs. It wasn’t the serene vision I had expected. But hey…it was the Florida Keys and I was ready for adventure.
My favorite part of the drive was my stop at Alabama Jacks. The reviews online suggested that your trip to the Keys would not be complete without a stop at this rustic gem. It’s an open-aired little place just off the main drive in Key Largo. Conch is there thing. I wasn’t feeling in the mood for this Key’s staple, so instead I ordered a Corona and a crab cake. The food was ok, the beer was cold and the view was spectacular. I sat at one of the little tables that lined the water’s edge of the swamp – a breeding ground for Alligators, evident by the “Alligator crossing” signs that were no joke.
I sat there for an hour until a boat filled with about 10 happy sun worshipers decided to anchor at Alabama Jack’s dock and take a nice long lunch break. The women in bikinis lounging on the bow of the boat fueled my adventurous spirit. Their laughter was infectious…their sun-kissed skin was symbolic of the freedom I longed to embrace. To sit for hours under the glow of the sun, not a care in the world…that is exactly what I came searching for in the Keys. And damn it. I was going to find it. So I grabbed my check and decided to venture onward toward Key West.
In total, the drive from Miami to Key West took about 3.5 hours. I was crossing one of the many bridges along this never-ending drive just as the sun was starting to set. So I pulled over to watch the ball of orange fade slowly behind the water’s edge. I felt a world away from the depression that had cloaked me for months. I loved thinking about how I was at the southern most point on the East coast of the US and not a single soul knew where I was. I told no one where I was going. This trip was truly an escape. As the sun faded beyond the horizon I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I was beginning to take back my life. And I could feel the fighter within begin to emerge from her sleepy place hidden deep beneath the surface.
It was mid evening when I finally arrived in Key West. The memories came flooding back as I entered the heart of the island and turned onto Duval Street. I refused to cry. Prior to this trip, I realized that I had cried every day since the day I separated from my husband. And I just didn’t want to do that anymore.
So, I spent the next 3 days making the most of my time in the Keys. Each morning I visited my favorite restaurant in Key West, Blue Heaven. I ordered a cold beverage with my eggs….and I sat there listening to the live music with my feet in the sand. There is just something about the vibe in Key West that forces you to let go. It’s impossible to carry stress there. The island is filled with wonderful music, fun bars and loads of rustic charm. It is my ultimate escape. I wore flip flops, denim shorts and tank tops all weekend. I was me….all me…for the first time in so very long. I am grateful for the gift of the Keys…and for pushing myself to reclaim that American gem.
Thank you Florida Keys for the gift of clarity….and for helping me find my way back to me.
My favorite spots in Key West:
Blue Heaven: http://www.blueheavenkw.com/
Sloppy Joe’s : http://www.sloppyjoes.com/
The Commodore: http://www.commodorekeywest.com/
Hemingway House: http://www.hemingwayhome.com/
Flip Flops and Fancy Free 