Florida Keys

One of our favorite places to visit. We have stayed at both Bahia Honda and  Pennekamp State Parks. Well, we actually did stay over night at Bahia Honda but, after our experience that first time, when we arrived at Pennekamp and saw we'd have the same bug problem we had had at Bahia Honda, we packed up and left shortly after we arrived and set up! I will probably never sleep on the Keys again. On our first trip our vehicles became infested with the "no-see-ums" and we were getting eaten alive. DEET does nothing to keep them from biting. We had to fog them out once we left the Keys. However, we do still love to visit. We just sleep in the Everglades or at Midway Campground near the Everglades where we won't have to deal with them and make day trips onto the Keys. Peace River is the closest Thousand Trails campground, although there is one on the Keys, as well. We've just never been to it.
At Bahia Honda, we did the state park version of the junior ranger booklet (which I had to purchase and it comes with the badges). We also did some snorkeling on the coral reefs there on the beach. The boys got to see some neat fish.
We splurged and ate at Whale Harbor Inn seafood buffet and challenged ourselves to try at least one food item we've never had before. A bit pricey (for us, anyway) but delicious. We also drove to Key West, saw some entertainers and learned about Fort Jefferson but we didn't go to visit it, as you have to plan ahead and take a ferry out to it so we just learned about it and that was fine with us. We left Key West as it got dark, as the night-time entertainment is not family-friendly.
We took a tour at the Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key. It did cost money to get in but we found a coupon in a booklet we got from the Keys visitor center. We got a "behind the scenes" look at the operations there and met some of the patients. It was very educational.

We took a glass bottom boat tour from Pennekamp. That was very educational and fun. Again, a bit pricey (for us) but not as expensive as I would've expected.

                     

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:9-10

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18