Fort Myers and the Imaginarium

We spent the day before Key West in Fort Myers. We swam and collected shells on the 

beach with Grandma and Grandpa, before heading back to the hotel for more swimming.

We woke early the next morning to board the Key West Express ferry to Key West. The kids 

slept for about half of the four hour ride while Mommy and Daddy watched a movie and read books.

We decided to stay an extra day in Fort Myers after Key West so that we could take the kids to the Imaginarium. We were really impressed with this science center. Upon arrival we were given a schedule of the day's events and classes. We participated in the touch tank and the animal meet and greet, which gave us an up close look (and touch) of an alligator, boa constrictor, and a giant toad (that was poisonous so not touchable). Unfortunately the stingray feeding was sold out but I was excited that they offer kids that experience.

This guy is not alive (in case you're not sure).

Scientist Asher examining out the life cycle of the butterfly.

Up close with a lionfish, an invasive species which has no predators and as a result is taking over the waters along the US coast.

We watched a fantastic 3D animated movie about dinosaurs. Journey's glasses were too big so I held
them on for her and felt her jump each time the dinosaurs appeared to come toward us. Journey loved it
but it was a bit too real for Asher. He removed his glasses for the last couple minutes of the film. 

They have this interactive sports room. A projector displays the sport that you choose 

(football, baseball, soccer, basketball) and keeps score during the one minute challenge.

Journey happily played with one of her favorite toys, magnatiles, while Asher built an airplane with Daddy.

Before leaving they pretended to be paleontologists. 

Journey took her job very seriously and gave me a tour while "reading" to me a book 

of interesting facts about the different dinosaurs, with one big warning, "they can bite!"

Key West (the rest)

On Saturday I left the kids with Daddy, and I went with my parents to tour Key West. We rode the Conch train to the Little White House where Thomas Edison, seven presidents and one king has stayed. It was a favorite place for President Truman to get away during his presidency and after. Even  now, VIPs will come into town and stay there so for security purposes photography is prohibited inside the house. The house used to be ocean front, but unfortunately in 1942, the land was extended out and eventually a higher rise building was built on the property which blocked the gorgeous view.

Our next stop was to tour Ernest Hemingway's house. The first thing you notice here is all the cats. 50-60 mostly six-toed cats live here, decendents of Hemingway's first cat Snowball. He bred them for the feature and they keep records of them to this day. The cats, named after Hollywood stars are well taken care of by a vet who visits weekly and eventually buried in the cat cemetery on the property.

The house was purchased by Hemingway for $8000, but the pool, the first residential pool in Key West, cost $22,000!

He led an interesting life; a nobel prize winner living in different countries and jumping from one wife to another, until he had four. After publishing 15 books, 12 of which were turned into films, a downward spiral began. His friend, Fidel Castro seized his house in Cuba which fueled his inherited  depression, for which the only treatment was electroshock therapy. The therapy took away his memory, the inspiration for his writings. At age 61 he committed suicide just like his father and two siblings.

Hemingway center, his four wives around him.

Some of his books are displayed around his home and all are for sale in the gift shop.

The next day we took the kids on the conch train to the Southernmost Point. Next to Higgs Beach which
normally has no waves so it's easier for kids to swim and snorkel. Asher did pretty well with his mask and snorkel here. 

I was really impressed with the city bus website. It provides a map with a live update of where the bus is at all times 

which is super helpful for bus newbies like us. The kids pretty much always fell asleep on the bus which cracked me up. 

The kids were so excited to find a coconut under one of the trees outside our room. 

Daddy somehow managed to break it open for us with only a butter knife and a rock! It was delicious! 

Another day we took the bus (can you tell they're excited?) to Smathers Beach, our favorite. It's a large open beach with soft sand and lots of watersports to participate in. The perfect place to bring out their Hawaiian outfits from Robyn and Richmond.

We walked around Duvall St stopping for the kids to admire the 

bar with money stuck to every flat surface and to race down the sidewalk.

That night Grandma and Grandpa put the kids to bed while Daddy and Mommy had a super rare 

dinner date. We enjoyed a great sushi dinner overlooking the marina right across from the base.

We spent our very last day walking thru town and hanging out at this restaurant on the water.

Watching a cruise ship dock right next to us was pretty exciting. The kids were intrigued by the process.

We even saw our boat, the Key West Express, come in. 

On board the Key West Express headed back to Ft Myers. Asher spotted a dolphin following us.

And we watched the sunset together on the top deck.

Overall we had a great time together. We spent hours playing cards with my parents, enjoying meals with beautiful views and hey, we learned how to navigate using the city bus! The trip was also a great way to celebrate my stepmom's retirement! Oh and before we left, I secretly changed my dad's cell notifications to a rooster crow, so now every time he hears "cock-a-doodle-doo" he'll think of our crazy but fun vacation together.