If you ever would have told us that our baby girl would be living in the heart of Key West, we would have told you you’re nuts. My baby, who is now approaching 31, says that she has found paradise. She is also with the man she deeply loves. While they plan to live in many different places, Whitney and Fredrick are committed to stay in Key West until January, 2014 while he becomes certified as a Coast Guard Captain.

Both Whitney and Fredrick lived the corporate life for a few years in high powered jobs. Then, after months of discussions, they decided to sell everything they own and move to where they are surrounded by water and the sun shines all the time. They didn’t want the Internet to be the center of their lives day in, day out.

Whitney can do her UX job anywhere there is cell and Internet coverage. Fredrick bikes to work. They said most weeks they don’t move their cars. Duval Street, the main drag, is one block away.

Their move here is not that unique. Millions came before them. Built in the late 1800s, the house is surround by stunning tropical foliage and looks like a bed and breakfast inside. It is quite large. French doors lead to the backyard which has an in-ground pool. Whitney has a separate room for her office that looks on to the front porch. The setting should provoke great creativity.

And surprise, surprise! Whitney gave Eliot and me a Mother’s Day / Father’s Day double whammy gift tonight. She has enrolled us in the 32nd annual Key West Literary Seminar. At a four-day event that takes place in January 2014, we will attend seminars plus a party with some of the greatest mystery writers in the country. Eliot has already read most of their work, so this is going to be a star-studded event for him. I get to learn about their lives and perhaps pick up interesting writing skills. In any case, we get to live like locals and make a lot of new friends.

We had a very thrilling day. Tomorrow we get up at 5 am and hit the road to Miami. I hope Mother’s Day was a good and healthy one for all.

Sights from Key West