Up at 4:00am, out the door and checked in at the parking lot at 5:00a. Light snow flurries started on the airport shuttle.
Snowing harder by the time we boarded ~6:30a. Woman across the aisle from us had a cat in a carry-on bag; he mewed because he was scared but not bothersome. Pulled away from the gate on time, then watched the de-icing truck spray a couple inches of new snow off the wings. Captain said after they sprayed anti-icer, we'd head to the south runway, "the only one that's open, because they've closed the airport." We were the second to last plane to leave, then CMH closed until 9:39a (per Robert). Columbus ended up with 6' snow and an approaching cold front which is bringing sub-zero temps in a few days. We got out just in time!
Landed in Nashville about 45' late, but didn't change planes. We scooted up a few rows to exit-row seats.
We settled into our naps on the flight to Fort Lauderdale, when I jumped to action at the sound of the intercom: "Attention. If there are any medical personnel, please come to the back of the plane." A young woman had fainted, vomited, was now post-ictal and non-responsive; cool and clammy, but breathing and with a good pulse. She was already being cared for by a traveling companion who said she was a critical-care nurse. That trumps my midwifery expertise, so I followed her directions. The young woman came around with oxygen, time, some orange juice; the flight attendants were awesome and kept things under control around us. When we landed, the EMTs wheeled her out first; the FAs thanked me as we deplaned. Our day was getting better and better!
Rented a cute blue Nissan Versa and hit the road, sunglasses on and windows down to feel the 80-degree sun. Stopped for lunch at a Cuban restaurant in Homestead, Casavana. Shared two huge delicious meals of vaca frita, masas de puerca, rice and black beans, frittatas, plantains.
Beautiful drive down Route 1 to Key West. Found our cute little motel in Marathon, looked for Key Deer at the sanctuary, but didn't see any. Drive took 3.5hrs due to creeping traffic through Islamorada (it's not like you can take a detour) and then fender-bender at MM15. Watched the sunset from our car instead of Mallory Square as we'd hoped, but it's all good.
Tense driving into the heart of Key West at dusk, watching out for pedestrians and bicyclists, then parked at our beautiful guest house just off Duval Street: the Cabana Inn. It was a former estate and is
just lovely; has a small pool, hot tub, evening happy hour with complimentary wine and cheese, continental breakfast. We have a quaint room on the second floor.
We cleaned up and hit the town! Lots of action on Duval and surrounding streets. Ate at Conch Republic, an open-air place next to a marina. We shared: steamed oysters, shrimp, conch chowder, spinach salad. Walked around a got a piece of GF Key Lime pie and a dish of Heavenly Hash ice cream, then walked to Mallory Square and shared the deliciousness. Picked up beer/cider on our way
back to our room, then drank a beverage while we enjoyed the pool and hot tub before collapsing in bed.
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