Key West – If it’s not paradise, it’s close!

 

We’ve been coming to Key West off and on since our first trip in 1979, originally during Christmas breaks from our jobs.  Something just keeps pulling us back!  Certainly the tropical climate has something to do with that, plus the beautiful vegetation that goes with the climate.  The delicious seafood attracts us too.  And it’s “summertime” in the Keys when Rome is having winter, especially this year with all the snow Rome has gotten, and we can enjoy bicycling in a town that’s truly bicycle friendly.

                

On this year’s trip, we arrived in Key West with our traveling buddies George and Jan, and Jack and Mary Lou arrived the next day after having their coach repaired.  We all went to lunch at Hogfish Bar and Grill, one of our favorite Key West restaurants and a short bike ride from Boyd’s RV Park where we stayed.  We ate outside by the docks, enjoying good food and scenery including views of Mel Fisher’s boats, bougainvillea, and palm trees. The sun was shining and balmy breezes were blowing.  You know, the essence of Key West!  And in the spirit of Key West, we went to Mallory Square for the sunset festivities.    

                          

Jan and George had an emergency at home and left Thursday.  We missed them!  Mary Lou and Jack were in Key West a few more days, and we all bicycled and ate good seafood as well as Cuban food at El Siboney.  (Irene needs their Cuban roast pork at least once a year). We especially enjoyed biking the length of Duval Street several times with Mary Lou and Jack.  We also met up with two other couples from the Country Coach rally in Naples who had taken the Naples to Key West ferry.  The eight of us had lunch at the Westin Bistro overlooking the Gulf.

George and Irene checked out a lot of art galleries looking for the perfect Key West image in a painting for their coach. We bicycled into Key West most of the days we were there, riding to the Mallory Square area to see which cruise ships were in port for the day, sometimes eating lunch, and just enjoying the summer-like weather. 

                 

Dorcas and Myron, also Country Coach buddies, came from Marathon where they were staying and we bicycled along the beach on the Atlantic side of the key.  They have recumbent bicycles which George and Irene enjoyed trying out.  It’s definitely a different perspective on a recumbent bike!  We met up with Dorcas and Myron again a few days later when we were in Marathon and ate lunch at the Keys  Fisheries.  

              

 

                  

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First Stop in the Keys: Marathon

 

Having enjoyed a beautiful drive (except for a slow down in Key Largo because of the seafood festival there), we arrived in Marathon in mid afternoon.  Our site was on the seawall on the Gulf side with George and Jan next door.  Lots of pelicans were gathered near the the fish cleaning station awaiting a treat.  The sunset was impressive – a true Keys sunset.      

              

              

Tuesday the four of us enjoyed biking to Pigeon Key which is reached by a section of the old Seven Mile Bridge which was originally Fragler’s railroad.  The bridge was open to car traffic from 1935 until 1982.  We drove over this bridge in our Honda hatchback the first time we came to Key West in 1979.  It’s a pleasant bike ride with views of birds, boats, Pigeon Key and expansive waters.   After our ride, we ate lunch at the Keys Fisheries Restaurant which is on the Gulf.  After lunch we drove to Sombrero Beach on the Atlantic side of Marathon, and George and Irene biked some more in this area. 

              

              

Tuesday morning we all headed to Key West, driving the “new” Seven Mile Bridge with views of the old bridge on our right.  It’s still quite a sight.

Country Coach Rally in Naples

 

After we left T.Y. Park and the Ft. Lauderdale area, we crossed the state to Naples to attend the Southeast Country Coachers Rally which was held at Signature RV Resort January 27 – 30.  George and I were co-hosts along with Jan and George from Birmingham with whom we’ve enjoyed traveling.  There were 9 coaches in attendance with a couple of last minute cancellations due to health and coach problems. 

Signature RV Resorts was a nice setting for the rally which included a pizza supper Thursday night, 2 catered breakfasts, lunch at the Turtle Club in Naples, Friday food and music at the resort, and a sunset dinner cruise on the Marco Island Princess on Saturday. 

                

Hank, owner of a 60’s era Morgan, invited George to ride to lunch at the Turtle Club in the Morgan – an opportunity for them to discuss the British sports cars they had owned. 

Sunday after breakfast, George and Irene and George and Jan headed to the Keys, hoping to meet up with Jack and Mary Lou who had missed the Naples rally because of coach problems.  

Photo Album: Metromover

 

After driving to downtown Miami and riding our bikes, the next day we went back by train. We rode the Tri-Rail to the Tri-Rail transfer station where we picked up the Miami Metrorail and rode to Government Center. There we boarded the Brickell Loop of Metromover.

 

		Metromover VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

T.Y. Park/Ft. Lauderdale

 

We stayed at T.Y. Park, short for Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, a Broward County park full of spreading live oaks, a lake with fountain, and a campground renovated since the 2006 hurricane.  It’s an attractive park and campground with the exception of badly placed hookups.  And the Tri-Rail commuter train, Amtrak, and freight trains frequently pass behind our campsite.  (George considers that a plus).  

                   

We bicycled on the Hollywood Beach boardwalk and enjoyed lunch there.  It was a lovely sunny day and lots of people were sunning at the beach and attending the Canada Fest which included music on two stages.  We drove north to Boca Raton to an art show and enjoyed seeing both the show and the area. 

                   

We had a great bicycle ride on downtown Miami’s new riverwalk.  After driving to Miami in the truck, we began at Bay Front Park and bicycled on the River Walk along the Miami River.  We crossed the US 1 bridge south to Brickell Key and continued our ride along the paved trail by the water around the island.  It was certainly a different bike ride to see Miami’s skyline as we rode as well as the beautiful landscaping.

                  

                  

                  

After seeing trains pass by the RV park all week, George was eager to board the Tri-Rail near our park, connect with Metro Rail, and ride into Miami. There we connected with the Metro Mover, an elevated train which moves in three loops around the downtown area.  We had amazing views of Miami from the Metro Mover as it threaded through and around skyscrapers.  It was a great last day in this area.

                  

                  

                               

Photo Album: Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show

 

Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show, which we saw at the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach, had some talented canines and was an enjoyable show.  Here are a few more of its stars.

 

		Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL