John and Linda Walkabout: Florida Keys/Key West 10/29-1102 2019

Check another one off our bucket list! This was one of the most unique places we have ever been. Where else can you drive across the ocean for 113 miles? The road is good but is mostly only two lanes. Some sections through towns are 4 lanes but then there are traffic lights and slower traffic. Speed limit is mostly 45 MPH with a few sections that are up to 55 MPH. It took us about an hour and a half to go 50 miles from the start of the Overseas Highway to our first RV Park.

This gives you an idea how it was to drive across the ocean. There are 42 bridges with the longest being 7 miles long.

The color of the water is beautiful. All different shades depending on the depth. In many places you can walk for miles as it is only 2 to 4 feet deep.

We stayed the first two nights at the Grassy Key RV Resort which is near the town of Marathon. It is a small park with only 34 sites but it has a great pool and a cozy little boat harbor. Also beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. Here are some pics of Grassy Key.

Downside to these small RV Parks is that there was only a very small square of grass for the doggies. They did OK but headed back into the air conditioning pretty quick!

We did get in a few walks. We started down one trail but after it turned into more jungle than path, we turned back.

We preferred to stay on the walkway as there were signs warning of venomous snakes!

We then drove the rest of the way out to Key West where we stayed at the Geiger Key Marina. It is actually located on Geiger Key, just on the other side of Boca Chica Field from Key West, but only a 10 minute drive to get into the touristy part of town. They bill themselves as an old Florida fish camp and are located right on the water. In addition to the RV Park, they are both a Marina and a really great restaurant and bar.

Our site at Geiger Key included a tiki hut right on the water.

Linda enjoying the Tiki Hut. This was before the arrival of the giant iguana!

Enjoying a virgin pina colada at the bar.

Mine was a virgin margarita. Very tasty!

Linda's favorite birds were fishing right in front of our tiki hut. We had our coffee in the morning and watched them.

Linda watching her birds.

Sunset.

Looking back toward the RV Park from the restaurant. Our rig is straight back behind the fence. You can't read it here but the sign on the fence says "Don't feed the crocodiles". We thought it was a joke, but in fact it is real!

Popular place with the locals.

This doggy was patiently waiting for her master to finish his drink!

We did the tourist thing in the historic area of key West. Linda had never been here and I was here about 40 years ago to play war games with the Air Force and Navy. The place has changed! Much more crowded - there were 2 cruise ships in port and there was a big "Parrot Head" convention going on as well. Parrot Heads are Jimmy Buffet fans who get together and celebrate that genre of trop-rock, island music. When I was last here I don't think they even had cruise ship accommodations.

It was a fun day. We used the free "Duval Loop" bus to get around which worked out well. You can get on their web site on your phone and see exactly where the buses are and how long before they will arrive.

Sloppy Joe's has been open since 1933 and said to be where Ernest Hemingway hung out.

We had to stand in line to get a picture here at the Southernmost point. Did I mention that it was very hot and very humid? High 80's and humidity to match. We really thought it would be cooler by this time of the year. We were wrong....