Saturday, December 03, 2016

Saturday Snapshot 12/3: Sunsets in the Florida Keys


Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

I missed a couple of weeks of Saturday Snapshot because we did something very unusual for us this Thanksgiving - we took a week-long family vacation to the Florida Keys! Our sons are both at the same school (University of Delaware) for the first time in over a decade, and UD gave students the entire week off for Thanksgiving (something we've never seen before), so we took advantage of this rare opportunity and headed south. We had a wonderful time! We rented a lovely little house right on the water, our younger son's girlfriend came with us, and the five of us spent a very relaxing & entertaining week living the Island Life. We went kayaking through mangrove tunnels, snorkeling both from the beach and off a boat at a reef, visited Key West and some old friends there, and spent lots of time relaxing (and reading!).

Sunset is an Event in the Keys. The kids were all intrigued to see a crowd gathered at sunset, applause, and music to accompany the setting sun. Several times at 5:00, we headed to the small beach in our community - aptly named Sunset Park - to watch the sun set. When it sets, the residents there play the 1812 Overture and "The Islands of Marathon" (we were in the middle Keys, near Marathon). For this week's Saturday Snapshot, here are a few of my best sunset photos - wish I were still there!

Our first sunset - not a cloud in the sky for days!

A few clouds later in the week for sunbeams to hide behind!

One of my favorites - living the island life!

Almost time for sunset - cue the music!

We finally got a few drops of rain on our last day - made for a good sunset!
Our last sunset

Rain brings rainbows!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

12 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I have read books and seen movies set in the Keys...I would love to visit in person. Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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    1. It's a great place - very relaxed vibe there. Hope you get to visit someday!

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  2. What lovely photos and how wonderful to have been able to spend so much time with your sons as a family on vacation. A week long vacation from university is unusual.

    Here's my WoW

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    1. Yes, it was all a rarity for us these days! Now that they're older, our sons are so busy with school, work, friends, etc. that we haven;t had a full vacation together in several years, so that made this week extra-special.

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  3. It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I would LOVE to enjoy some Florida weather about now!

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    1. We never wanted to leave, Melinda!

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  4. I enjoyed your beautiful sunset photos. We lived in the Miami area for many years. Your pictures brought back good memories.
    I wasn't able to participate in Saturday Snapshots this week, but I plan to be back next weekend.

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. We stopped in Miami on our way back to the Ft Lauderdale airport - wanted to at least show the kids a quick glimpse of Miami Beach.

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  5. Ohhh I love a good sunset and I'm for celebrating them in style! I wish I was with you there too :-)

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    1. The sunset traditions in the Keys are legendary, Brona! Lots of fun.

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  6. Wow. Wow. Wow. Yo have some really tremendous skies while on your trip.

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    1. Thanks, Anne - it was a lovely trip in every way :)

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