Memorial Day Weekend in Key West

In the areas above south Florida, Memorial Day is traditionally the start of summer. Time to open up the pool, have the first big barbecue of the year, and kick in to 'summer mode.' Here in Key West, where it has been warm and summery for at least a month or two, Memorial Day is the end of the season. The last big hurrah of visitors and tourists before the slow summer season begins. Living in Maryland, we were never quite sure what we would get....damp and cool late spring weather, or a late spring heat wave. I remember Memorial Day weekends in Bethany Beach, Delaware coming home with a nice tan, but also watching the Weather Channel from bars checking when exactly the drizzle would stop. We always went with John's family for two weeks, arriving on the Saturday before the big day. After many, many dreary, chilly weeks at that time of year, we moved our rental to mid-June. Again, some years were awesome and summery, some were dismal and chilly. In that part of the country, even though the calendar said 'summer' you really weren't sure what you would happen. In the Keys, we can pretty much guarantee it will be warm and sunny, and this holiday it was. We had a sitter Friday night so we hit Duval Street. I know first-hand this town was jumping for the holiday weekend. But trips to the grocery store proved that most locals were out on their boats.....the first official weekend of summer, and the start of the time of year when the winds die down and everyone can return to the party spots like Snipes Point and Marvin Point. Here on Duncan Street, we had a quiet, nice weekend at home. I don't think my family of transplants is over last weekends' trip to Target near Miami! I wasn't about to suggest a trip away. We grilled, we swam in our pool, and today John took the girls to Fort Zach for some beach time while I took care of some house work at home. Tonight, we grilled some delicious chicken marinated in a paste of fresh cilantro and oregano, plus lime zest, garlic and olive oil. Add some deviled eggs, green bean/tomato/feta/red onion salad and potato salad with a Caesar dressing and let's call it a picnic. We event ate outside. The girls are kind of done with school for the year. OK, they are REALLY done with school for the year. Ready for a change in routine and our big trip north before starting school again in August. After this long weekend, we have 8 1/2 days of school left....hard to believe this school year is about over! I, too, am looking forward to some time off the Rock and some time spent with family and friends in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. But I enjoyed this summery weekend at home, knowing that changes are on the way! And I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend as well. :)