It’s the fragrance of frangipani and the ever-present scent of saltwater. The feel of summer heat on sun-bronzed skin. The soft, rhythmic wash of waves at the shoreline, and the faint sound of tropical tunes playing on the porch of the house next door.
The Florida Keys experience is captured in activities like enjoying the sunset along a quiet shoreline. (Photo by Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau)
But the Florida Keys experience is much more than those sensory elements. It’s a laid-back attitude; an atmosphere of welcome; an approach to living that blends individuality, a refusal to take life too seriously, and a deep appreciation for relaxation.
And you don’t have to give it up when your vacation ends. In fact, with a little thought and imagination, you can savor the essence of the Florida Keys all year long.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor sorry to depart the island chain or a wannabe resident whose real-world schedule leaves little time for subtropical escapes, you can create an oasis at home that allows you to transcend daily hassles and recapture the magical Keys mindset.
The process is simple. Select a small space in your home — a shelf, a tabletop, or corner — and gather items that remind you of the Keys. You might choose photos of Victorian homes dripping gingerbread and hibiscus blooms, a blazing orange sunset, an underwater world alive with tropical fish and reef life, or the bow of a boat against turquoise water.
Sun, sand and sea are among the elements that characterize the Florida Keys. (Photo by Laurence Norah, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Include cocktail coasters from your favorite Keys watering hole, a small piece of locally-created artwork, your dive log, or maybe a few beach pebbles. Find some colorful tropical fabric and set your mementos on it.
But that’s only the beginning. The Keys aren’t just a visual paradise. They surround the senses — and, to truly recreate the island chain’s ambiance, so should your oasis.
Add a bottle of fragrant reef-safe sunscreen. When you open it, you’re practically guaranteed to trigger a powerful olfactory memory of hours spent lazing on the beach. Or light pillar candles with tropical aromas, or slice a fresh lime for a tangy reminder of your favorite frozen margarita.
Don’t forget the sounds of the islands: palm fronds rustling in the constant breeze, languid waves lapping shore or boat, trop-rock music drifting through the air. All can be recreated in your oasis.
Howard Livingston’s music communicates his passion for the Florida Keys lifestyle. (Photo by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Whether you favor Jimmy Buffett classics, the guitar mastery of Dave Feder, the infectious rhythms of Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24, or the natural noises that flavor balmy oceanside days and nights … they’re available to download or purchase.
Once you’ve completed your Florida Keys corner, make visiting it a regular pleasure. Close your eyes, cast your mind back to a favorite memory of the easygoing islands, and let your cares float away on a sunscreen-scented breeze.
What could be a better reminder to slow your pace, still your mind, and savor the things that matter most?
Of course, enticing as it is, your oasis can’t compare to an actual escape to the Florida Keys. Particularly now that temperatures have dropped in much of America, consider taking a winter break — and treating yourself to a relaxing, rejuvenating sojourn in your favorite subtropical spot.
