Back to Key West — Family, Sunshine, and Another RV Adventure

By November, 2020 had definitely not turned out the way anyone expected.

Plans had changed. The way we worked had changed. The way we traveled had changed.

But even with everything being different, I was still finding ways to spend time with people I loved and make the most of the moments I could.

And this time, the RV was taking us back south.

Heading Back to Key West

When we left Key West in July, we already knew we wanted to come back.

My aunt lives there, and somewhere between beach days, sunsets, and spending time together, the idea of returning for Thanksgiving started taking shape.

2020 had changed a lot of plans, but this was one we could actually make happen.

So in November, we packed up the RV and headed south again.

The Road South

The drive to Key West is a long one, but having the RV gives us the ability to take our time.

Just like the Missouri trip a month earlier, I used Harvest Hosts again — this time heading south instead of exploring closer to home. My first stops were Starview Winery in Illinois and Sharp Mountain Vineyards, tucked into the mountains of north Georgia.

It is becoming clear this wasn’t just a one-time discovery from Missouri. This is becoming how I travel.

Back With Family

I picked up my parents in Flagler Beach and continued south. Once we arrived in Key West, the pace slowed down.

We spent time with my aunt, enjoyed the sunshine, explored the island, and settled into a very different kind of holiday season.

One morning we all gathered for breakfast at Blue Heaven — my mom, dad, cousin and her husband, my daughter, my aunt, and me. It’s one of those Key West spots that feels like it’s been there forever, and having the whole group together made it even better.

I wandered around town more than once with my Norwex mask on — a small, funny reminder that even on vacation, this year had been a crazy one.

My daughter even flew down to spend Thanksgiving with us before heading back home.

We spent time bar hopping and made the obligatory stop at the Southernmost Point buoy — because you can’t visit Key West without it.

After a year where so many things had changed, having family together — even if it took a little extra planning — felt pretty special.

A Christmas Unlike Any Other

We were there just as the holiday season was beginning.

Starting Thanksgiving weekend, Key West begins lighting up for Christmas, and we happened to be there just as it was getting started. The trees, the piers, and so many places around town take on a completely different feel.

A Christmas tree built out of lobster traps, glowing palm trees, a pelican wearing a Santa hat, and even a Christmas snail made entirely of lights. There was something pretty magical about walking around surrounded by Christmas lights with palm trees, ocean breezes, and warm weather.

It definitely wasn’t a traditional Christmas. But then again, 2020 wasn’t exactly a traditional year. And maybe that was part of what made it so special.

Enjoying the Little Things

The best parts of the trip were the simple moments.

Beach walks. Sunsets. Good food. Time with family. Exploring places we hadn’t seen before.

After such an unusual year, it was nice to have moments that feel normal.

Not because everything is back to normal — it isn’t.

But because the same things still matter. — Family. Adventure. Time together.

The Way Home

Eventually, it was time to start making our way back.

My parents, daughter and I made the 8 hour drive back to their house in Flagler Beach and spent a few days.

Before she flew home, I stopped with my daughter at the Flagler Beachfront Winery for one more glass of wine with a view.

After spending a few more days with my parents, I left Florida on December 3rd and started heading home.

The trip home had its own Harvest Hosts stops, too — an orchard stay at Lane Orchard and a night at Old Glory Distilling Co.

Bandit rode along the whole way, alternating between naps in the passenger seat and keeping watch out the front window. (What a passenger princess!)

On the way home, I stopped to see the grandkids. We spent the day at a trampoline park, which was exactly the kind of fun and chaos you would expect when hanging out with them. I ended up parked in their yard for a few nights, and I’d catch them out my door playing with Bandit.

Before I left, we put a wreath for the front of the RV grill. It was such a simple touch, but I loved it.

Somewhere along the way, I noticed the RV had reached 60,000 miles.

When I bought it, it had around 25,000 miles on it.

In just a couple years, it had carried me through so many adventures — and in 2020 alone, it had taken me farther than I ever expected. From a hail-damaged repair in June to a return trip to Key West for the holidays, this little home on wheels had quite a year.

By December 8th, I was back at work and back into the normal routine.

The adventure is over. But the memories aren’t.

Another Adventure Completed

This year didn’t look anything like I expected back in January.

But even with all the changes, there were still so many moments worth remembering.

Family. Sunshine. Adventures on the road. Memories I never could have planned.

Sometimes life doesn’t go according to the plans you make.

Sometimes you just find a different road and see where it takes you.