Karried Away May Column for Lake San Marcos Magazine

Ahoy there, LSM! It has been the greatest honor to get to write to you all every month,

and this month is extra special! I have a fun travel tale to share with you!

So, I’ll start out with a corny joke to lighten the mood: why did the chicken cross the

road?

Well, actually, I learned the answer while in Key West, Florida, this month. When I was

driving through Key Largo, on my way to the southernmost point of the continental United

States, something rather random and ironic caught my eye, an actual chicken crossing the road! I hope I’m not the only one who gets a kick out of this, but maybe I think it is absolutely hilarious because I am not accustomed to seeing wild chickens crossing the US 1. However, if I were from Key West, I would probably be used to it by now because wild chickens are one of the many animals drivers need to look out for in the Keys.

In addition to “el pollo loco” crossing the road, to my amazement, there are so many

unique forms of wildlife in the Keys, including many species who are native to the Keys, and can only be found there.

Key Deer, a species of deer that can only be found in the Keys, are smaller than an

average-sized deer, and are so gentle and sweet! However, the most adorable animal I had the privilege to meet in the Keys was a manatee. While kayaking through the mangroves of Key Largo, a manatee swam directly below my kayak, allowing me to capture photos and videos to show my friends back home.

While the wildlife in the Keys is unmatched, I also loved being among the locals and the tourists who were enjoying the beautiful weather and the incredible views. Key West,

specifically, has such a special culture that I cannot wait to revisit! From coconut shrimp to the yellowtail snapper, finding a restaurant with freshly-caught seafood is not a difficult task!

Plus, the nightlife in Key West is electric, with live music venues, exotic drinks, and a

never-ending “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” vibe to keep the energy high even when the tide is

low!

Last, but certainly not least, the town of Key West has incredible tourist attractions that give an up-close-and-personal experience, such as the glass bottom boat which brings tourists to the second largest coral reef in the world. Other attractions include snorkeling, the trolley, biking, and a train ride. For the more dare-devilish tourists, there are opportunities for paragliding and riding in hot-air balloons. However, if you are like me, you would much prefer to observe the beautiful reef from the boat, and then relax by the pool or by the sea with a refreshing drink in hand listening to Jimmy Buffett.

The word, “relaxing” really does describe my vacation in the Keys, well, relaxing

coupled with trying to figure out why chickens cross the road. Albeit, after my amazing vacation, I think I figured it out. It really is to get to the other side! Often, while driving on US 1, you can see the ocean on both sides of the road, whether you are driving along one of the forty-three narrow islands or one of the forty-two bridges connecting the islands! The views really are unbeatable and I am not surprised that the chickens cross the road to enjoy the 360 degree ocean view, just like me!