The Keys
Even though we went to Key West on a cruise stop last year I wanted to drive down from the top to see the landscape. So we did it! Dale and Louise (friends from home) were in Lakeland for a month and said they wanted to drive down from here so we happily volunteered to go along. Dale drove…even better! We left early Monday morning and came home Wednesday so it was a quick trip but well worth it.
John found a very reasonable price at El Patio; a small motel in Old Town Key West. At the rate of $69 a night we had to wonder if there would be any critters in the covers but it was fine. Well Dale and Louise had a gecko in their room but then he got lost. EEEEK! Not high end of course but the rooms were clean. Not fancy. The floors were tile and the furniture sparse but the sheets were clean. Yes, it was 1950s art deco just as advertised but I think it really means not renovated since then. I would stay there again but would bring a coffee maker. There’s a small fridge in the room and you could have breakfast food on hand and sit on El Patio to eat. “The Patio” was on the roof! It was a great feature: excellent for star gazing after an evening on Duval Street.
It took about 5 hours to get to Key Largo, the first Key. We stopped at the information centre and got a recommendation for lunch.
We ate at the Sundowner a gorgeous spot on the water with tarpons entertaining us.
Louise found a new friend. George hung out and cleaned the tables when customers left!
You have to
look really closely to see this long necked crane? Heron? Egret? Can't seem to get the exact I.D. on this one.
The drive down on the Overseas Highway is 100 miles but it takes about 2 ½ hours. Beautiful views abound. There are nearly 900 Islands with only about 30 being inhabited. I think they are actually coral formations that have evolved into Islands. I really need to read up on the details of this beautiful configuration! There are 42 bridges to cross, one being 7 miles long. Mangrove forests dot the waterscape. The drive takes you past resorts, parks, homes, towns, retail business’, hotels, and motels. There is so much to look at and it beckoned to me. I would like to go back and spend more time. We did stop and drive around an RV park on the way down and on the way back had a picnic lunch at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. What we saw of it was lovely. It would be great to stay there to snorkel and kayak.
Old Town Trolley Tours is a great way to see and learn about Key West, the Southernmost point in continental U.S.
Mile Marker 0 is a short walk from El Patio. Ms. Vee was our driver and tour guide and he was funny and entertaining. She was also very informed and knowledgeable. There were several interesting characters like Ms. Vee entertaining and working in the restaurants and bars.
There is hardly enough time in 2 days to do all there is to do there so we tried to hit a few highlights. We walked Duval Street until Louise had a blister and I had sore ankles.
Margaritaville was a must stop as well as the Whistle Bar
and
Wharf Bar which had Happy Hour from 7 a.m. until noon. Don’t worry we were there for a late afternoon snack! We enjoyed the
Hog’s Breath and made a couple of calls so people at home could see us on the
webcam. The atmosphere is totally different from the Hawg’s Breath at home but it was great fun. A mojito at a Cuban bar near the harbour was amazing and we were stunned at the price! It is expensive down there so it’s a good thing we had a cheap motel. Chickens stay for free and wander everywhere!
