Florida Keys, FL - Feb. 1 - 7, 2007
On February 1 we headed southeast to the Fiesta Keys KOA, about 35 miles south of the mainland. Our location, about 5 feet from the Gulf was gorgeous and the sunsets spectacular. Unfortunately, the property was sold to a developer and may close in the near future. However, it is rumored that the developer is having environmental clearance and financial issues, so call ahead - you may get lucky.
On our first night we participated in the evening ritual of applauding the spectacular sunset, and then peering into the clear Gulf water as the lobsters came out to feed. Of course, we knew the sun would not make an encore performance that night no matter how enthusiastically we clapped, but it was a great opportunity to meet our neighbors. Our fellow celebrants included a scuba diving couple from Tennessee that advised us on scuba services and restaurants in the area, and Ralph and Jeanne from Rochester, NY.
The next day Ralph and Jeanne invited us over to tour their Monaco motor coach. We were so impressed that after much deliberation and many sleepless nights, we decided to … well, more on that later.
We had two days of spectacular weather - then a tropical storm blew in and blew out our diving plans. However, we did a little unremarkable snorkeling in our "back yard" just to get accustomed to the mask and snorkel again. On one cold and cloudy morning we were surprised by several manatees that swam into the deserted marina to graze on alga and water hyacinth.
While waiting for the weather change we toured around Islamorada and Key Largo sampling the cuisine and browsing shell shops. We also celebrated Bill's birthday at the highly touted, but disappointing and overpriced Marker 88 Restaurant. On the plus side, we enjoyed tasty lunches and great views at Lazy Days and the Islamorada Fish Company restaurants.
On our last full day in the Keys we took a chance on the weather and headed south to Key West. Oh what fun! Key West is really funky-groovy - well marinated in rum and tequila with a twist of Jimmy Buffett. There seems to be a glorious time warp in this tropical town with its head shops, wafting incense, tie-dyed fabrics and the sweet aroma of ganja. And chickens. Flocks of colorful chickens wander the streets, yards and alleys. We were told that Key West has a more refined side, but happily that isn't the side we visited.
The town is very walkable with wonderful nooks and crannies to explore from Hemingway's home and haunts, to Harry Truman's White House, the Lighthouse, the historic cemetery and all the watering holes on Duval Street. We hit Hog's Breath Saloon and Sloppy Joes, Hemingway's favorite bar, and then out to the southern point to once again applaud a sunset in Florida's southernmost city.
The next day as we started our long trek north past the "Crocodile Crossing" and "Panther Crossing" signs, past the crowds watching Wyland paint his whaling wall across the wetlands and onto the mainland, we vowed to return to the Keys. For now we are off to checkout Florida's Space Coast.
