Day 3: Florida fun

This vacation is truly going great.  Everyone seems happy . . . maybe they are just happy that I am happy?  Today we are back on the road but before we leave Key West we have one stop to make.  I can't help but mentioning how hot it is here . . . I know it is June but man it is just awful.  After being outside for about 3 minutes, I have sweat dripping from all parts of my body . . . just gross but pushing on.  Our last stop in Key West is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

Construction of the fort began in 1845 to defend the southeast coast through a series of forts. The fort was named for United States President Zachary Taylor in 1850.  Yellow fever epidemics and material shortages slowed construction of the fort, which continued throughout the 1850s. At the outset of the U.S. Civil War in 1861, Union Captain John Milton Brannan seized control of the fort, preventing it from falling into Confederate.  Originally, the fort was surrounded by water on all sides, with a walkway linking it to the island. The fort was completed in 1866, although the upper level of one side was destroyed in 1889 to make way for more modern weapons, with the older cannons being buried within the new outer wall to save on materials. The fort was heavily used again during the 1898 Spanish–American War.  In 1947, the fort, no longer of use to the U.S. Army, was turned over to the U.S. Navy for maintenance. In 1968, volunteers excavated Civil War guns and ammunition buried in long abandoned parts of the fort, which was soon discovered to house the nation's largest collection of Civil War cannons.

There was a tour starting as we were arriving but was not in the mood for that so we explored on our own!  I was amazed and thought it was a great place to stop!

There were lizards everywhere . . . I am not a fan of them at all!

And just like that we were back on the road again.  Someone looks thrilled!

Since we were able to make all our stops on the way down there were not any places on my list to stop.  Colin requested stopping at Robbie's to feed the tarpon again . . . I told him only if he followed directions and fed the fish . . .

The biggest obstacle is fighting these guys off . . .

They will come grab the fish right out of your hand . . . they are super fast but finally he got a fish to take the bait . . .

. . . well he half listened so it was somewhat more successful!  I did have another place on my list to stop for a slice of Key Lime pie but apparently I missed it.  Oh well . . . when we approached Key Largo we detoured to Card Sound Road for the scenic drive.  I had also read about a great restaurant called Alabama Jack's.  I figured it was our last chance for fresh seafood.  Wow, they were not joking . . .

. . . we had the sampler platter for 2 and it was way too much food for 3 people!  The staff was a buzz and told my dad that we had just missed Dan Marino.  We were literally stuffed and thankfully only had about an hour drive to Fort Lauderdale . ..  until we hit traffic and rain!  Oh well at least we made it in time for the manager's reception at the Embassy Suites!  The hotel was packed and super loud.  We grabbed our drinks and snacks and headed upstairs to do laundry . . . so exciting!