Island Vibe

 

When Mark and I planned this trip we had a general Jimmy Buffet inspired idea of what the term island vibe means. Our first island stop, in search of an island vibe, was John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo. We settled into this beautiful place with every intention of slowing down, kicking back and enjoying a cheeseburger in paradise. However, before the island vibe could kick in we were warned that we might be in the path of an approaching tropical storm/hurricane. I’d planned to snorkel and Mark was signed up for another glass bottom boat excursion at the coral reef in the park but all tours were canceled due to rough seas caused by the approaching storm. We decided to watch the 1948 classic movie Key Largo (which also features first time island travelers facing a hurricane in the Keys). The movie inspired us to visit The Caribbean; Key Largo’s oldest bar where the movie was filmed 87 years ago. We found out from locals and fellow tourists that the best course of action in that moment was to turn off our weather app and order a favorite beverage. Despite the uncertain weather we found ourselves relaxing into the beauty around us. We stopped stressing and the storm passed….as all storms do. 








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