Christmas afternoon in Key West

After waking up to a wonderful Christmas gift, we took off for a beautiful day in Key West. In Miami it's always rush hour, and then in the afternoon there's really bad rush hour traffic. But since it was Christmas day, nobody was on the road and we were able to drive down the keys at our own pace. I couldn't believe how pretty everything was. Unlike Hawaii, the sand here is really white and the water is still. Since the keys are surrounded by reef, there isn't any surf which can be a nice change if you're looking for a really relaxing beach. Once again, these pictures don't do it justice.

We saw a gorgeous house on ocean front property that was under renovation by Boucher Building Company. I wish that was our Boucher company. Jake and I would have no problem working and living in the Keys. Just the other day I was saying that wearing flip flops makes me feel more like me. I'm at home in warm weather and sandals. It would be awesome to fall asleep to the sound of the waves on the sand every night... so I guess that means the Florida Keys aren't for us. No surf, no deal. 

I love my shaved face man! Can't you tell? This picture was taken at the end of the day when we were all beachy/sweaty but I don't care because it was a great day. Our friend Nathan made a funny joke about the picture below. He said it looks like the beach is covered in Jake's beard pieces. Actually, I thought that was funny but it made Jake sad. He misses the beard. However, he can't be too sad because it hasn't been shaved a second time since Christmas morning.

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Christmas morning in Miami

Before I woke up Christmas Day of 2010, Jake was starting and completing my Christmas gift. I had no idea this was coming... but I was thrilled when I opened my eyes. He had snuck out of bed and shaved off his enormous beard. What!?!? He knew I had been wanting this for over a year and a half but he was dragging his feet because he had actually fallen deeply in love with the new friend on his face. His entire life Jake hasn't grown a beard much longer than a weeks worth, nor his hair much longer than over his ears. This was a VERY big sacrifice since he had become so fond of his new look. He loved that beard so much. Needless to say, this is the best Christmas gift I've ever received. Shocking, exciting and so handsome! Jake knew I wanted to experience the whole disappearing act when it finally came time, so he did me the favor of documenting it with 30 pictures-- pictures of which I didn't know about until I downloaded them from my camera onto the computer. That was another fun surprise. I've really missed that face. It had been so long, it was almost like seeing a ghost. I was speechless. My eyes were huge and my hand was cupped over my mouth. I was so happy but so surprised. After staring at him for five minutes Jake told me to cut it out. Haha, it was great. Christmas Day my facebook page read: I have the best husband in the whole wide world.

Karate Bus

....figuring out how to post more pictures without letting Picasa win this battle.

Here's a picture of a Karate Bus. Sounds and looks exciting, no?

....it worked! Hallelujah to me being awesome. I created a second google account and invited myself to be a second author on my blog. More pictures and more blogs to come!!!!

More Florida

After we figured out how to pay for parking (which Florida offers a very cool and easy way to park), we soaked up some sun and worshipped the 80 degree weather on Miami Beach. It was snowing in Utah and we loved walking around barefoot. After two years in Hawaii.... something in your blood changes and the ocean constantly calls out to you. I think people who live around water are more happy.

FLORIDA

Florida was such a huge part of our trip that I'm going to have to blog in segments. Before reaching Florida we had driven about 7,000 miles and we added another 1,000 just driving the state of Florida. Jake and I have thought of ourselves as pretty adventurous people by taking this trip across the country, and then we ran into these couchsurfers... 

On the left is a couple who is biking the entire perimeter of Florida. In the middle is our host who lives a block from Daytona Beach. Then there's the Canadian who started in Winnipeg and is traveling clockwise around the entire perimeter of the United States!!!! It will take him approximately 7 months at about 60 miles a day. These guys are hard core travelers. Their clothes are salt stained and some nights they sleep on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures. If you've never heard of the website called WarmShowers.Org you should check it out. You could help cyclists on their journeys with some of their travel needs. 

This is Jake and his beard driving on Daytona Beach. It was strange to see the beach set up to allow two lanes of traffic flow but I guess it's used just like any other road during the summer months. If you're looking for some solitude, just visit this beach in December. You'll have the place all to yourself.

We saw a sign for the Kennedy Space Center and thought HEY, why not? Then we saw the sign that said $62 a person entry fee and we thought HEY, no way! I'm sure it's a cool place, but I'm also sure I could give myself a better tour for sixty two bucks.