50 State Challenge Map

50 State Challenge Map
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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Florida - Key West - last day

Today we left Key West and I am now back in wintery DC.  However, before we left for Miami we were sure to stop by the Southernmost point of the US for a few pictures.

In Miami we stopped by the beach and then had a late lunch at The Front Porch Cafe. From there it was on to the airport.

This was a great five days with family and now I take a break from travel until April when I fly to Oklahoma City for #42.

More pics to come in April.










Monday, January 19, 2015

Florida - Key West - day 5

Today is our last day in Key West before driving back to Miami tomorrow.  We got in some beach time in this morning after breakfast at Southernmost Beach Cafe.

Stephanie and Anna then decided they wanted to para sail (I passed) so we went back down to the seaport to hit the waters.  Maria was a little nervous. She's not a big fan of boats but she got on nonetheless.  You couldn't have asked for a better day out on the water.  It was a beautiful day.

Tomorrow we head to Miami early to try to meet up with my cousin Francisco for an early dinner before our 9 pm flight.

More pics to come ...

The view from breakfast this morning at Southernmost Beach Cafe




Waiting to board for Stephanie and Anna to do some parasailing

Heading out ...

And up they go ...




Sunday, January 18, 2015

Florida - Key West - day 4

An absolutely beautiful course today.  A six mile stretch of the race took us along the coast line where at 7 am all you're seeing is ocean and sunrise.  It was great and took your mind off running for six miles as you took in the incredible views.  I even stopped at mile five to snap a picture.

I finished in 1:48:35 placing 177 overall (total race participants was just shy of 3,000).  My sister, brother-in-law, niece and friend were all at the finish line (and start) to cheer me in.  It was a great race.

Afterwards we headed to Havana Key West for brunch (and traditional Bloody Mary shot) before heading back to the cottage to prep for jet skiing.

We finished the day with dinner at Southernmost Beach Cafe & Bar.  It's a beachfront open air cafe that also happens to be the most southern restaurant in the United States, just 90 miles from Cuba.

A fun day with one more tomorrow before heading back to Miami on Tuesday.

More pics to come ...





Pre race snap with my cheering section

The view at mile 5




Bloody Mary time at Havana Key West


Jet skiing preview

Ready to jet ski

Dinner at the most southern restaurant in the US - just 90 miles to Cuba


Saturday, January 17, 2015

Florida - Key West - day 3

Today was packet pick up down by the seaport in Old Town.  We decided to get breakfast at Two Friends prior to walking down to the harbor.  It was a really nice day with sunny skies in the mid 70s.

After the seaport we went to pick up my packet and stuck around for lunch on the water. Afterwards headed back to the cottage for some pool time before dinner.

Race day is tomorrow at 7 am.  Getting up early.  More pics to come ...

Breakfast at Two Friends Patio by Historic Seaport

Seaport down by Old Town, Key West











Florida - Key West - Day 2

A fun second day in Key West starting with a walk through the Duval neighborhood en route to Blue Heaven for brunch.

From there we headed over to the historic seaport where I shared a beer with the birthday boy on the waterfront before heading back to cottage for some time in the pool.

Dinner was at Sarabeth's before taking Richy out for drinks at Willy T's.  A fun day with day three starting picking up my race packet for tomorrow.

More pics to come ...  


Duval en route to Blue Heaven











Historic Seaport area







The roof of Willy T's filled with dollar bills