Key West 2017

Riding down the one lane US-1 highway with a van full of excited Indian Princesses was the pinnacle of my week. On our way down, we all stopped at Robert is here for well deserved milkshakes. Then we were off to Key West. Mile marker 0.5 came quicker then expected. Kids piled out of the van and the tents got set up. It is remarkable how much stuff we have to bring for these short weekend camping outings. Next up is dinner. If the Seminole tribe knows anything, they know food. Wings, salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, shrimp, pasta. Before long, all empty stomachs are full. The kids enjoyed running around with their friends. One of the things that makes this camp out special is that all of the tribes intermingle into one tribe. For one weekend, there is no Pawnee, Seminole, Hopi, etc. We are all one tribe. The kids run around together covered in glow in the dark paraphernalia. Princesses with glowing necklaces, bracelets, glasses dot the beautiful Key West site.

Kids finally run out of steam and then it is Daddy time. It catches your breath to sit with the other chiefs and watch the water from this beautiful location. It definitely relaxed all of the stresses that life has thrown me lately. I tell people, all the time, that the Indian Princess activities are fun but not relaxing, however, for a moment, that wasn’t true. Sitting there and hanging out with my good friends Chief Gummy Bear and Chief Axe In Tree alone was worth the trip down to the Keys. And this was just Day One.

Day two, we get up with the sun. More great Seminole food (eggs, several pounds of bacon thanks to Carl’s generous bacon budget, pancakes, etc). You would think I would be full for a month. Then off to tour beautiful Key West. Key West is truly unique. I went to undergrad at the University of Texas. Austin is very different and quirky.  So is Key West although it is quirky in a very different way. One obligatory picture at the southern most point and then to Higgs beach. I have to admit that I don’t really like beaches or sand for that matter. But this was a special day. Dads hanging out and girls running around. Digging in the sand, building sand castles, walking out to the sand bar to hang out. That is the stuff that fond memories are made of. We took a ton of pictures but the pictures don’t do it justice. Oh yes, an impromptu B