Nearly 15 years ago, I traveled to Key West for the first time.  When I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac and entered the Conch Republic, I knew that I had found an artist's paradise and I was in love.  There are so many amazing things to love about Key West;  the architecture, the vibrant colors, the culture, the history, Hemingway, and let's not forget about the food. There is an energy and vibe that just can't be articulated, but the minute I leave, I always feel as though I have left home and begin dreaming about the moment I can return.  

Although I have been to Key West countless times, I have never visited the upper keys and have always wanted to explore them.    We knew that we would need some relaxation after our trip to Disney and planned a visit to the keys to unwind after the insanity of the parks.  We chose to stay in Islamorada , which is centrally located and would provide us with opportunities to explore the other nearby keys.  I am so glad we chose to visit because Islamorada is simply amazing; it is a hidden gem.  I did not feel like I was in the US, but on a distant tropical island.   While we were there, we saw some of the most amazing sunsets, ate the freshest seafood at beautiful and picturesque restaurants like Morada Bay and Marker 88, and we were even able to sneak in a day trip to Key West.  This vacation was the best we have ever taken and it was so nice to be able to spend uninterrupted time together.  I didn't take many pictures during this part of the trip because I was trying to be as unplugged as possible, but here are a few of my favorites.