Florida Road Trip

One of the best parts for me about this space is having the chance to reminisce. And I've especially loved being able to look back and relive an entire trip simply by reading through our itinerary, so I want to share one here for all of our big trips. 

After 3 years of putting it on the back burner, the stars aligned and we were finally able to make this trip fit into our schedule and our budget. I'm sharing our exact itinerary here so I don't forget a single detail of this epic adventure through the Sunshine State. 

Day 1 Travel 
All packed up and ready to go! Tom flew down South and we left from my parents home in North Carolina. We had an 8 hour drive, which wouldn't have been too bad, except that I added on 2 hours and you're not going to believe how. With the summer heat, my fingers were swelling so I placed my wedding bands alongside the gear shift. I got stopped by a cop because I was unknowingly totally speeding.

In my haste to pull over, I put the car in park without moving my rings, which of course forced them underneath the gear shift. Yep I did that. So we ended up spending 2 hours at the dealership. Thankfully, everything ended well and they were able to recover my wedding rings and didn't even charge us. Plus, I never did get that speeding ticket-just a verbal warning. But trust me, I learned my lesson. One thing I can say for myself is that trips with me will always be eventful. 

Day 2 Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Spent the day fulfilling childhood dreams with being chosen by a wand at Ollivander's Wand Shop. After all, "the wand chooses the wizard". We took a ride on the Hogwarts Express, munched on chocolate frogs, and drank ButterBeer at the Three Broomsticks. Let's just say...Mischief Managed! 

Day 3 Miami
The laziest day spent lounging around and enjoying that Miami vibe.

Day 4 The Florida Keys

Snorkeling by day and Beach Camping by Night. Really life cannot get better than this. We made stops in Key Largo, Islamorada, Long Key, Marathon, and Sugarloaf Key. 

Day 5 Key West

Battled the heat with a Key West Day Trip. Loved everything about this laid back Florida city, especially the Cuban influence and flair. 

Day 6 Dry Tortugas National Park
Ever played that game where you have to decide what you would take to a deserted island? For us this became a reality with our visit to Dry Tortugas... a little island between Florida and Cuba with no electricity, no reception, not even fresh drinking water. See our camper's guide to dry tortugas national park. 

Day 7 Dry Tortugas National Park
After a night of camping over and a morning snorkel session with nurse sharks, barracudas, tropical fish, and even a crocodile...we hated to part ways. 


Day 8 Everglades National Park + Biscayne National Park

Our last full day in Florida was our busiest day too with being chased by alligators in the everglades that morning and boating in biscayne that afternoon. Lucky for us, these two national parks are within an hour of each other, making it possible to visit both in one day. Got to end our night back in Miami, being taken out to drinks by a few friends that we made along the trip. 


Day 9 Travel 

Finally headed back home...

As you can see, this itinerary was jam-packed. We drove thousands of miles, visited one amusement park, three national parks, eight cities, and traveled the length of the Florida Keys. This is one of those "vacations" where you're more exhausted when you return home then you were when you left. But so worth the adventure and some incredible experiences of a lifetime. Can't wait to re-read this and relive this trip over and over again.