The Long Road to the Keys
I have never been a big fan of long distance travel. Throughout my youth I have moved hundreds of miles away several times. So, when it came down to going to the Florida Keys, I was little weary despite the trip being well taken care of, a new camper, Playstation 2, and plenty of spending money. I had a bad feeling about the trip, and I soon found out that there was plenty of good with the bad.
I clearly remember starting up my new Playstation as soon as my room-mate and I were on our way. I had just got Devil May Cry 2, and was actually quite content on the long ride.
When I arrived in St. Augustine, I quickly ran into the ADIDAS outlet and started browsing for new clothes for school and the trip. The days were humid, and I certainly needed to get a tan on my Rembrandt white legs, so I bought some shorts. After I tried on my new clothes, I found a suitable outfit for bed, and grabbed my MP3 player. I played my Playstation and listened to Future Trance 27 until I went to sleep.
The next day, after a wholesome breakfast, I headed out to the beach to get tickets for the glass boat ride. My room-mate and I went out 4 miles from land to visit Penecamp Reef. Sadly the pictures on the boat did not come out very well.
After the boat ride, I headed down to Canon Beach. I swam only briefly, as the salt water quickly dehydrated me, and I had no goggles to dive with. I abandoned swimming for the day in search of some of Florida’s famous seafood. I went to a fabulous bar on the beach and ate a great Caesar salad with shrimp and paid the most outrageous price for it, forty dollars total for two people.
With my belly full, and my wallet nearing empty, I thought it a good idea to stay inside the camper and watch Stephen King movies. The cool air conditioning felt great as I laid back and entertained my imagination till sleep overcame me.
I stayed in bed long into the afternoon hours of the next day. When I finally arose, I took a trip down to the 2nd floor pool and was stopped by the cutest “key deer.” It was only 3 feet tall and full grown! I quickly ran back and grabbed my camera and snapped photos of myself petting the animal before my swim. The Olympics were on during my trip and I was motivated by Michael Phelps’s magnificent performance, six medals in swimming.
When I finished swimming I went into town to find a wave runner rental shop. The highlight of my plans was the chance to ride the waves for the first time in over 4 years. I stopped at a convenience store to ask for directions, and was told “I do not know; I just work here.” Discouraged, I began riding again with no sense of direction only to find a shop two blocks from the store. I should have known then, things would not go right as soon as I saw the cost, $45 for half an hour, $70 for one hour. I swallowed my pride and was going to pay the attendant only to discover that I had to go some where else to take a test to get licensed. I never did take the test, and sulked to our campsite and went to bed early.
As I headed back home the next day, I was met with feelings of anxiety. Through my trip I had affirmed my dislike of traveling, and concluded that everything I could possibly need is at home, in Jacksonville. One thing I will always keep with me though is how vivid and clear everything was in person, as compared to seeing it on television or reading it in a book, and “the sky is the sky every where you go, and people are people.”