Monday 5th April – Southernmost Point of the USA

Drew and I got up early and walked to the bike rental place to organize having the bikes unlocked and returned to the owners. It was a lovely early morning walk. The bike lock was quickly cut off and we rode the bikes back and that episode was now officially over as well. We stopped and had breakfast at a quaint café called Café Joes and had a delicious breakfast wrap and wonderful coffee. When we g9ot back home the household was now rising and getting ready for the day.

This was the day to walk around Key West and see everything up close. We wondered around and walked the whole length of Duval Street, (Also known as the" longest street in the world", not because of its length but because it runs from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico) stopping occasional to look in the different stores, talking to the guy who was riding by with a huge snake

around his neck and the infamous pet shop. We stopped to look at the cute puppies. When we all departed, Jordan did not. About 10 minutes later Zoe says "Where is Jordan?" Understand there are 9 of us walking single file down a pavement. Every so often there are cross streets with lights, some of us make it through others don't so we are kind of dispersed. We can see each other if we look and Jords is the smallest of the party. But when we checked Jords was gone. Zoe in panic set off running back down the street, Drew crossed the street and starts hunting that side, Chris and Lily run ahead to see if he was in front. We have panic in the camp. When Zoe is half way down the street she gets a call from her office telling her the police have called and they have something of hers and to call them back. The office thinks they have some of the stolen goods, Zoe is hoping it is Jordan because they would not disclose what they have. Within minutes Zoe is back at the Pet Shop with a shaken Jords and 4 police ( thank goodness 4 different ones of they would have really thought we were crazy tourists ( which we are). Jords did everything right. He walked onto the pavement looked to see if he could see us. Went back into the store and asked the store clerk for help. She called the police. When the police came Jords did not know Zoe's cell number but he knew the office number and the rest is history.

We walked to the Southernmost Point of the USA. The point where the poor desperate Cuban refugees try to make it ashore. The kids were hoping to see some Cubans make it ashore but there was no such excitement. Key West is only 90 miles from Cuba but 150 miles from Miami so it is relatively close to Cuba that is why so many attempt the dangerous crossing looking for a better life.

It was a beautiful day. The sea was cold but kids were still swimming. We had lunch at the Southernmost Café and then visited the Butterfly Conservatory. They are so many different types of butterflies and moths. They are really fascinating to watch as they flutter around noiselessly. One butterfly hickhiked on Jordan for the entire visit and flew away as we were ready to leave. Jords felt very special. Do you see the size of the month? It is in a hibiscus plant so you can compare to the size of the leaves. It was about the size of a dinnerplate. Quite awesome.

We went to see the movie "The Last Song". It was quite a touching story and there were many sniffles and tears by all and sundry. We drove away from the Keys and back to Miami arriving very late at night. All in all we had had a terrific but eventful time in the Keys…… but we had managed in 3 days to 1)leave passport and money in safe, 2) Get robbed 3) lose the bike keys 4) Lose Jordan. We really had a terrific time despite all the woes. Lots of stories to tell.