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Sunday, September 30, 2007

Keys Camping

Our camping trip to the Keys (we camped on Long Key, not Big Pine Key -- I was mistaken about our destination) this weekend was a fun excursion. My husband and I left South Florida after my class on Friday and we met up with friends at the campsite around 4:30 Friday afternoon. We were just in time to catch a little late afternoon snorkeling and beer drinking. Below: Scooter and I in the campsite.
Even though we weren't in Key West, we still held our own Sunset Celebration, below, from left: Ryan, hubby (Jerry), Jon, Erin, and Pete. Every sunset in the Keys deserves its own celebration!

The beers go down easily while camping -- helps the relaxation along -- but these boys put the beers down extra fast. Pete was so quick to shotgun his that the camera couldn't capture his speed. Saturday morning was a little rough for both the hubby and I, and it probably didn't help that Friday night was so hot that I barely slept; instead, I just laid in the tent, sweating, while the bugs ate my flesh.

Saturday was a beautiful day (despite the early morning hangover -- don't worry, by 9 am, I was feeling fine), and we spent the day doing various activities, but I mostly sat in a camping chair, looking at the ocean, alternating between water and beer. It was SO pleasant: And it's what I love not only about the Keys, but about camping in general -- you can go fish, or snorkel, or canoeing, or you can just sit back and do nothing; it's the most stress-free kind of vacation. Scooter, who doesn't really like to just chill out, spent most of the day running back and forth along the beach and swimming back and forth along the beach. By the end of the day, he was tuckered out.

Thankfully, Saturday night was a much better night -- a storm cooled the air -- and we slept much better than we did on Friday (still got eaten alive by bugs). This morning, we got up, packed our campsite and headed home. So, now we have the rest of the day to do laundry, scratch our bug bites, and nap. Ahhh...now I can focus my attention on worrying about Chicago: A week from today, I'll be running the marathon.

25 comments:

Erin said...

Yes, it was a terrific time minus the heat the first night and the flesh eating bugs.

Now is the time for you to start thinking POSITVE thoughts about the race. You are all rested and relaxed-focus on the run. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fun trip!

ws said...

I was worried you would have to cut your trip short because of our wonderful tropical weather. sounds like a great trip.

you're braver than me to write that last sentence without ripples of fear swimming through your veins.

Tri+Umph said...

Looks like a great trip! I hope the IT band is still feeling good.

If you're of ws's line of thought, think of it this way: 7 days from now you'll be across the finish line!

Alison said...

I love the headlamp-and-beer-chugging look!

L*I*S*A said...

Sounds like my kind of camping trip. Relaxation, beach and beer.

The triad of fun. :)

Nancy said...

Oh that sounds great!! Love the dog pics, too. So cute.

Tiffany said...

Yay!! How fun!! I love camping... and beer. Such a nice mix.

One week til Chicago YAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Actually, one week from right NOW I will be drinking beer so I can't feel my leggies!

Agate Lake Girl said...

I'm sorry I missed it! I'm beginning to think Jon just doesn't want me to come camping with you all and staying home to "babysit" Rio is just his excuse! Anyway, maybe one of these years I'll attend and make him stay home. :)

Neese said...

you are so cute in that first photo lol, man, can i come next time it looks like fun :) have a good countdown week to marathon!

Anonymous said...

Looks like fun. And scooter is so cute.

MNFirefly said...

Looks like a great time, Jess.

Marcy said...

Sweet!! Looks like an awesome weekend of relaxing :-) I'm secretly jealous of your tan though. I hate you. LOL JK!

Wes said...

Ahhhh... Beer and Scooter pictures in one post. My idea of heaven :-) Glad you had a great time! Enjoy your taper before Chicago!!

Tiffany said...

Hey... do you wear your hydration belt for marathons? The aid stations are pretty spaced out- I am considering filling my bottles with Accelerade and just drinking their water and Gatorade.

OMG I am already nervous.

teacherwoman said...

Sounds like a fun and relaxing weekend! Only 1 more week until CHICAGO!

runner26 said...

Cute hat! (and Scooter is adorable!!)

Enjoy the taper!

Jess said...

Sounds like an awesome trip! You'll do great next week!

Mary Gee said...

Sounds like my last camping trip to the Keys. Gee, that was a long time ago.

You will do great in Chicago!

Unknown said...

Looks like fun. And scooter seems to be the happiest dog EVER.

David said...

Scooter looks like he had a blast. Well, so does your husband and the other two, but I'm sure Scooter felt better in the morning, and had much clearer pee.

Sounds like a great unwind weekend, even though you didn't get such great sleep. Next stop: Windy City!

Mendy said...

What a fun time it looks like you and friends had, and probably couldn't have come at a better time. You needed to relax so some of your (possible) worrying wouldn't set in too early. Besides, you've trained well and no need for worries. You're going to do fantastic!

Great pictures, looks and sounds like fun!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great time! Love the pics.

Scott McMurtrey said...

looks like a great trip! and scooter looks happy in the water!

J~Mom said...

One week from today when you are running your marathon I will be camping. I never get to camp by anything that pretty though! It's always desert. And you can't drink beer with the young guys around. And you can't really relax either. Totally different camping! ;>)