Stone Crabbing, Fishing & Laid-Back Island Vibes… If you’ve never been to the Florida Keys, here’s what you need to know—this place is as casual as it gets. Think flip-flops, sundresses, and breezy beachside bars where the only dress code is comfort (a perfect fit for Shookhill Style). Whether you’re escaping the lingering chill up north or just looking for a relaxed getaway, Key Largo is the perfect destination for a sun-soaked spring break filled with incredible seafood, adventure, and plenty of time to unwind. Where to Stay: Waterfront Bliss in Key Largo For the ultimate spring break retreat, we recommend staying at Baker’s Cay Resort or Playa Largo Resort & Spa—both offer stunning oceanfront views, beach access, and all the amenities you need to kick back and relax. From floating docks to kayak and jet ski rentals, these resorts make it easy to enjoy the water without ever leaving the property. Fresh Catches & Local Flavors: Where to Eat Casual dining is the name of the game in the Keys, and you won’t find better fresh seafood than at Key Largo Fisheries—a must-visit for stone crabs and conch fritters. Craving sushi? Num Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar serves up incredibly fresh rolls and Thai dishes in a relaxed, no-fuss setting. Stone Crabbing: A Florida Keys Tradition One of the highlights of our trip was heading out with friends from Ocean Reef for a day of stone crabbing and fishing. If you’ve never tried stone crabs, you’re in for an absolute treat! Here’s how it works: Setting the Traps – Traps are baited and dropped in shallow waters, then left for a few days. Harvesting the Claws – Once the pots are pulled onto the boat and inspected, the crabs are carefully measured, and only legal-sized claws are taken. The crabs are then safely released to grow new claws. Boiling & Cracking – Freshly caught claws are boiled, chilled, and cracked open for the most delicious, sweet crab meat. We served our stone crabs Key’s style—chilled, with a homemade mustard dipping sauce (a simple mix of yellow mustard, mayo, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce). Participating in this process with local residents was such a wonderful opportunity, but if you don’t know a local with all of the licenses and equipment, a great place to source stone crabs is Key Largo Fisheries. You can eat them there or buy them to go along with a cracker and dipping sauce. Fishing for Snapper We also spent a day fishing the patch reefs for mutton and yellowtail snapper. The Keys are home to some of the best fishing in the world, and we had a fantastic time reeling in fresh snapper. Pro tips: Use live bait like ballyhoo or shrimp. Fish around reef structures where snapper love to hide. Be patient—the fight is worth it! Back at shore, our catch was filleted and cooked Reef-style with lemon, capers, and butter—served alongside our stone crab appetizer, a fresh salad, and homemade Key Lime Pie. Pure island perfection! Scuba Diving: Explore the Beautiful Reefs For those who are a little more adventurous and love to dive, we recommend coordinating a day or two with the Rainbow Reef Dive Center. Make these plans ahead of time and enjoy the breathtaking reefs and warm waters of the Keys. With an abundance of marine life, colorful coral formations, and crystal-clear visibility, scuba diving in Key Largo is an unforgettable experience. Beach, Pool & Sunset Magic Between fishing trips and seafood feasts, we made time to unwind. A day at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offered snorkeling and beach time, while lazy afternoons by the pool were spent reading and sipping cocktails. For sunset, here are a few recommends: Anne’s Beach in Islamorada – A serene spot to catch the colors of the evening sky. Snooks Bayside Restaurant – Enjoy cocktails and apps with a side of sunset views. Sunset Cruise (Viator options available) – Because everything looks better from the water. The Perfect Spring Break Getaway From hauling up crab traps to reeling in snapper, savoring fresh sushi, snorkeling, and biking along the coast, this trip to Key Largo had the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re in the mood for deep-sea fishing or just a beachside cocktail, the laid-back vibe of the Florida Keys makes it the ultimate spring break destination. Have you been to the Keys? Tell us your favorite seafood spot or sunset view in the comments! Want to add a little Key’s flavor to your life, try making our Key Lime Pie. Our recipe is a delightful balance of tart and sweet. This pie offers a refreshing and tangy finish to any meal, capturing the essence of the Florida Keys. Enjoy!
Adventures/Travel
Set Inspiring Goals & Start Travel Planning for a Fantastic 2025…
The new year has begun… Now is the perfect time to reflect, reset, and create a vision. We can help you set inspiring 2025 goals and travel plans. Whether you’re focusing on personal growth, professional achievements, or unforgettable adventures, setting intentional goals helps shape the year ahead. Here’s how to set inspiring goals and start travel planning Step 1: Reflect and PlanStart by reviewing your five and ten-year plans. (If you don’t have long-term plans, now’s a good time to write your short and long-term goals.) Ask yourself: Are you on track? What areas of life need more attention—career, family, health, or hobbies? Which goals have shifted, and what activities still energize you? Jot down what worked in 2024 and what didn’t. Use this reflection to guide your 2025 aspirations. This enables you to create goals that are both meaningful and realistic. Step 2: Travel Dreams for 2025Nothing inspires the year ahead quite like travel! Get your calendar out and start mapping out key dates, holidays, and available vacation time. Think about: Where should we go? (see our Travel recommendations) Who will join us? What specific activities do we want to experience? What are our preferred adventures and realistic budget? Some of our dream destinations for 2025 include: National Parks – From the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone, nature’s beauty awaits. Maine – A summer by the coast, filled with lobster rolls, kayaking and hiking. Ski Trips – Lake Tahoe, Park City, Whistler, or the Alps in Zermatt. Europe – Christmas markets in Amsterdam, Cologne, and Strasbourg. Spain and the Azores – Adventure and relaxation combined. Step 3: Make It HappenOnce your destinations are chosen, start researching flights, lodging, and experiences. Use Pinterest boards, our travel blogs, and local tours (like Viator or Travelocity) to organize your plans. Many people have transitioned to do their planning and organizing online, but we still find it helpful to type or write out details on a planning sheet and keep all of your information gathered together in a trip folder. This is especially helpful if you are planning multiple trips. Let 2025 be the year of intentional plans and unforgettable experiences. With thoughtful goal setting and exciting travel plans on the horizon, this year is sure to be full of growth, joy, and grand adventures!
