Key West Vacation

I have to start out saying I cannot wait to go back to Key West, FL!!  We went there for spring break 2010 and it was the most amazing vacation I have ever had.  We started off on our journey mid week.  Two adults and two teenagers road trippin' in a Ford Focus.  What an experience!  It was GREAT.  We drove to Jacksonville, FL.  It was 3am, we were extremely tired, and we stopped for a motel room for a little rest before finishing our drive to destination Paradise.  Well, the motel let a lot to be desired.  After a couple of hours of uncomfortable napping we woke up to a mouse running across the room.  OK, doesn't sound like the best vacation so far but it gets much better.  We left around 7am and was back on our journey to the Keys.  We made a few stops along the way, and got to Marathon Key, FL around 1am.  We stopped at a camp ground and rented a cabin for the night.  AAHHHHH comfort and cleanliness.  What more could we want?  We slept a few more hours and we were on our way to Key West.  We get to our destination and the first thing on the agenda is hopping on the boat to Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson.  After a 3 hour boat ride, we step off the boat and onto the dock of one of the most beautiful places on earth.  We set up our camp site and ran for the water.  It just keeps getting better and better.  We snorkeled, we toured the fort, we walked around the island, we slept under the stars.  I can't say enough that this was the best vacation I have ever been on.  After 3 wonderful days on an island 70 miles off the coast of Key West, we hopped back on the boat and went back to civilization.  Our next stop was Bahia Honda State Park.  Two nights of fighting raccoons and we were on our way.  Yes...raccoons.  They really do try to get in coolers, they really do throw rocks, or in our case, sea shells at people, and they really do steal shoes and sunglasses LOL.  It was hilarious.  Our next stop was Stock Island.   Camping, swimming, and Duval Street.  Need I say more?  I LOVE Duval Street!  Great food, great shopping, great entertainment, and all of Key West as well as the other Keys are all full of photo opportunities.  This was the vacation that fully inspired a passion for photography.   I met some wonderful people who I will forever consider family (or phamily as we pronounce it) and I cannot wait to go back!