Wasting Away Again in Margaritaville

Jimmy Buffett wrote “Wasting Away Again in Margaritaville” while living in Key West, inspired by the carefree Caribbean lifestyle and the feeling of being perpetually on vacation. This idea resonated with me instantly, and soon, I found myself embracing the Caribbean vibe and humming every Jimmy Buffett song I knew during my time there. I yearned to stay up late listening to great music, enjoying exotic cocktails, watching the sunset each evening, and simply breathing a little slower. It felt entirely natural to embrace this lifestyle the moment I arrived.

The Florida Keys are a coral cay archipelago off the southern coast of Florida, forming the southernmost part of the continental United States. They begin at the southeastern coast of the Florida peninsula, about 15 miles south of Miami, and extend in an arc south-southwest, then westward to Key West. The southern part of Key West is 93 miles from Cuba. They were incredibly stunning and unlike anything we had seen up to this point.

We met up with our friends, the Smiths, whom we first encountered several years ago during our initial Space A trip. They are like-minded travelers, and we have kept in touch over the years. On several occasions, we have found ourselves headed to the same location simultaneously, and it brings us great joy to reconnect with them.

We spent the next five days meandering through the little islands, growing increasingly fond of each of them. At night, the Smiths would take us somewhere fun, and we tried a variety of restaurants and clubs.

We had a blast and are thankful for their years of experience in this region.

One of the things I loved most was watching the sunset during our Happy Hour. I was reminded that this beautiful phenomenon happens daily, and I need to take the time to appreciate it and not get caught up in the busyness of life.

I look forward to heading home, seeing you soon, and sharing the rest of our tales. You were missed!