Back to the Glades! Sounds like Back to the Future, doesn’t it! Off the Keys to Homestead and then southwest back into the Glades but this time we headed for Long Pine Key – no electricity, no showers NO WIFI! The Everglades are known as a “River of Grass” and this “Key” is a high spot with trees! There’s even a sign on the road about a spot with an Elevation of 3!! The campground had nice big campsites and Ron and Nancy joined us on Monday. The evening program at the amphitheater that night was all about the Nike Missile Base there in the Glades. The young man in charge was very knowledgeable about World War II, the Cold War and how this secret base ended up in the middle of south Florida. Some said he was a bit “dramatic” but he sure made that part of history come alive and interesting. We were in high school when all of it was happening and most of us never paid any attention!
Tuesday we investigated the remaining National Park Visitor Center at Royal Palm. H and I took a quick walk on the Gumbo Limbo Trail and learned that the Gumbo Limbo tree is a smooth barked tree sometimes called the “tourist tree” because it’s red and peels! It’s used to make baseball bats, toothpicks, and fence posts – that usually end up growing! And then, we all took a guided tour of the old Nike facilities. Our guide on this tour was older – our era -and filled in even more details of how the missile parts arrived; how the 41 foot missiles were built in a 42 ft building, about the cement block garages where they were stored and even the underground bunkers where the men went for safety. Lead paint and all! Once the tour was over we hooked up our trailers and hit the road – further down the road - to the end! Flamingo! Still no electricity, but nice warm showers! Then the rains came. All night and half the next morning as we moved out and back up to the Tamiami Trail. We missed getting to park again at Midway but parked at yet another National Park campground at Monument Lake – like Midway with a large alligator in residence in the small calm lake with campsites encircling it. The sunset over the “pond” was yet another pretty one! Needing a place to settle for one night, we ended up back at Collier Seminole State Park. H lucked out again and got the last two sites but only for that night! He deftly backed that 7 - foot wide trailer between several trees that were only 8 feet apart! And I finally got out my sewing machine! Before I even got one potholder completed – the lady in the neighboring trailer came over and promptly bought 5 from my bag of wares!
So, now we are done with the Glades and have headed north – but just a bit! Ron found us a deal at Whispering Creek RV Resort in Labelle, for 4 nights. We’re parked in their new area called “The Glenn” – aka The Big Field! The deal came with 2 free breakfasts, a free lunch and a free boat ride! On Saturday we shopped at the Fleamasters Flea Market in Ft Myers. We have taken advantage of the HEATED outdoor swimming pool, ridden our bikes, and enjoyed our deck-boat ride up the dark river lined with all kinds of old working boats, houseboats and interesting elderly sailing craft. We especially enjoyed the ride back down the river when R had his hat blow off and Captain Dan had to circle around and around to get close enough to nab the slowly sinking straw shappo! At coffee and donut time this morning in the recreation hall, I even sold over a dozen potholders! Now I’ve got room to make some more!
Tuesday is our last free breakfast and then we’ll be off again!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Still in the Keys
It’s now Saturday, January 22nd. We’ve moved, and then moved and now moved again! I’ll try to get caught up this afternoon since the weather has turned windy and cloudy. The laundry is done and H is outside enjoying his “happy hour”!
We moved from Long Key to Bahia Honda State Park closer to Key West in time for a storm to move in and invite the “no see ums” to come out! In the morning the sun came out and the small harbor (where the wifi tower is located) was once again calm and the sky blue. We drove the rest of the way into Key West and found a bicycle rental place to park the Jeep and rent 2 bikes for the day. I dutifully followed H as he wound thru and across town looking for the old familiar sights. He found the new cruise line docks and the infamous Duval Street. I remember passing Hemingway’s Home and Sloppy Joe’s but they are kind of a blur due to the increasing amount of bike and vehicle traffic, water puddles, parked trucks and just trying to follow H. More than once he took a SHARP turn at the very last moment – but I quickly adjusted and kept up with him! We found the beaches and then even found an old 1860 Civil War Fort that was also right along the beach. The West Martello Tower was turned into a secluded, tropical garden where bougainvillea and orchids bloom. Shaded pathways and arched courtyards finally open up to colorful foliage and a nestled white gazebo with a beautiful view of the ocean. What you don’t see in this picture is the minutely clad woman, sunbathing in the white sand, just below the fort’s crumbling red brick outer wall!! H didn’t see her at first either! On our way back to Bahia Honda we stopped at the Resort where B&B were staying and R&N were spending the day with them at the pool. They were getting ready to take the bus down to Key West but we declined the invitation to join them and chose instead the peace and quiet of the state park. On our way, H did give in and located the Visitor Center at the National Key Deer Refuge for directions and a map to try and locate Key Deer. A few miles back into the refuge a sweet young deer was idly munching his way along the roadside. We stopped to snap his picture but he ignored our pleas, finger snapping and rapping on the side of the Jeep, and just kept on munching. Further along, we saw a small herd of deer being fed by some folks in a big pickup truck. While the other 4 folks were downtown in the midst of a busy Key West evening, we were enjoying our own coral colored sunset, nestled at the foot of the bridge that runs thru the state park, and goes from one key to the next.
Long Key State Park had an opening for us and we moved back in for 2 more days! This time our spot was further along the beach, just past all the rocks! R&N had moved back up also to the Jolly Roger Resort and after they came to check out our new home, we all went out to dinner at “The Wreck” a well-known seafood restaurant. N and I got the “house special” – mahi with chopped tomatoes, basil and feta cheese. Very tasty but the portions were not up to the price! H chose a blackened fish sandwich and it was huge!
And I made a new friend. Soon after we parked, we were welcomed by this half grown tan tiger/ocelot marked kitten with a sweet face that reminded me of a cougar! I know you’re not supposed to feed strays or wild creatures but . . .. I did! Oh – if he were younger and less wild – H and I might have snuck him home! He’d eat and then nap but would not let me touch him other than his front paws.
Our outing for the day was to don our water shoes and venture out across that wide space in the ocean where the tide had evacuated. We took along a 5-gallon bucket that H had cut the bottom out of and had glued in a Centre Market scanner glass. It made a perfect underwater viewing- machine! We shuffled our feet most of the time thru the sand because Manta Rays are known for hiding just under the top layer of sand! Sure nuff - H had a ray pass right between he and I!
Even in just knee/thigh deep water we saw a variety of orange, purple, and crème colored coral and other sea plants! AND - get out your nature books and look these up – we saw a 10-inch Batfish – the ugliest fish we have ever seen! It looked like a cross between a plecostamos and a toad! We also saw several Scrawled Cowfish – triangular striped fish that have eyes up high on their heads! I think they are in the Finding Nemo movie!
Fiesta Key Resort is an old KOA campground that was destroyed in hurricane Wilma in 2005 and has now been bought and given new life. It’s got a way to go but to entice new clients they have a good rate and a good pool! Our spot here backs up to a swift moving walled channel that runs from the gulf, past a small mangrove island and thru a small harbor complete with a boat launch. R&N came over to see the park and joined us at the pool. The guys made the choice to go out for seafood (again!) instead of having me fix burgers for us all. Habanos Cuban Café is just over the next bridge north (east) and we were seated at a booth with a great view of the Caloosa Harbor and the ocean beyond it. Yes – the beer battered Key West Pink Shrimp was great! And sweet fried plantains!
The wifi hotspot is way over by the pool on the other side of the resort but the wind has really come up causing the “mobile motel” to rock a bit so we may not post this tonight. Luckily we’re protected enough by the mangroves across the way so we are not getting the full brunt of the wind. We’ve been in the Keys for a week so this Sunday we move up to the Glade again.
We moved from Long Key to Bahia Honda State Park closer to Key West in time for a storm to move in and invite the “no see ums” to come out! In the morning the sun came out and the small harbor (where the wifi tower is located) was once again calm and the sky blue. We drove the rest of the way into Key West and found a bicycle rental place to park the Jeep and rent 2 bikes for the day. I dutifully followed H as he wound thru and across town looking for the old familiar sights. He found the new cruise line docks and the infamous Duval Street. I remember passing Hemingway’s Home and Sloppy Joe’s but they are kind of a blur due to the increasing amount of bike and vehicle traffic, water puddles, parked trucks and just trying to follow H. More than once he took a SHARP turn at the very last moment – but I quickly adjusted and kept up with him! We found the beaches and then even found an old 1860 Civil War Fort that was also right along the beach. The West Martello Tower was turned into a secluded, tropical garden where bougainvillea and orchids bloom. Shaded pathways and arched courtyards finally open up to colorful foliage and a nestled white gazebo with a beautiful view of the ocean. What you don’t see in this picture is the minutely clad woman, sunbathing in the white sand, just below the fort’s crumbling red brick outer wall!! H didn’t see her at first either! On our way back to Bahia Honda we stopped at the Resort where B&B were staying and R&N were spending the day with them at the pool. They were getting ready to take the bus down to Key West but we declined the invitation to join them and chose instead the peace and quiet of the state park. On our way, H did give in and located the Visitor Center at the National Key Deer Refuge for directions and a map to try and locate Key Deer. A few miles back into the refuge a sweet young deer was idly munching his way along the roadside. We stopped to snap his picture but he ignored our pleas, finger snapping and rapping on the side of the Jeep, and just kept on munching. Further along, we saw a small herd of deer being fed by some folks in a big pickup truck. While the other 4 folks were downtown in the midst of a busy Key West evening, we were enjoying our own coral colored sunset, nestled at the foot of the bridge that runs thru the state park, and goes from one key to the next.
Long Key State Park had an opening for us and we moved back in for 2 more days! This time our spot was further along the beach, just past all the rocks! R&N had moved back up also to the Jolly Roger Resort and after they came to check out our new home, we all went out to dinner at “The Wreck” a well-known seafood restaurant. N and I got the “house special” – mahi with chopped tomatoes, basil and feta cheese. Very tasty but the portions were not up to the price! H chose a blackened fish sandwich and it was huge!
And I made a new friend. Soon after we parked, we were welcomed by this half grown tan tiger/ocelot marked kitten with a sweet face that reminded me of a cougar! I know you’re not supposed to feed strays or wild creatures but . . .. I did! Oh – if he were younger and less wild – H and I might have snuck him home! He’d eat and then nap but would not let me touch him other than his front paws.
Our outing for the day was to don our water shoes and venture out across that wide space in the ocean where the tide had evacuated. We took along a 5-gallon bucket that H had cut the bottom out of and had glued in a Centre Market scanner glass. It made a perfect underwater viewing- machine! We shuffled our feet most of the time thru the sand because Manta Rays are known for hiding just under the top layer of sand! Sure nuff - H had a ray pass right between he and I!
Even in just knee/thigh deep water we saw a variety of orange, purple, and crème colored coral and other sea plants! AND - get out your nature books and look these up – we saw a 10-inch Batfish – the ugliest fish we have ever seen! It looked like a cross between a plecostamos and a toad! We also saw several Scrawled Cowfish – triangular striped fish that have eyes up high on their heads! I think they are in the Finding Nemo movie!
Fiesta Key Resort is an old KOA campground that was destroyed in hurricane Wilma in 2005 and has now been bought and given new life. It’s got a way to go but to entice new clients they have a good rate and a good pool! Our spot here backs up to a swift moving walled channel that runs from the gulf, past a small mangrove island and thru a small harbor complete with a boat launch. R&N came over to see the park and joined us at the pool. The guys made the choice to go out for seafood (again!) instead of having me fix burgers for us all. Habanos Cuban Café is just over the next bridge north (east) and we were seated at a booth with a great view of the Caloosa Harbor and the ocean beyond it. Yes – the beer battered Key West Pink Shrimp was great! And sweet fried plantains!
The wifi hotspot is way over by the pool on the other side of the resort but the wind has really come up causing the “mobile motel” to rock a bit so we may not post this tonight. Luckily we’re protected enough by the mangroves across the way so we are not getting the full brunt of the wind. We’ve been in the Keys for a week so this Sunday we move up to the Glade again.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Going down the Keys
The brochure for Long Key State Park has the statement on the front: “Your Home in the Florida Sun”. Our mobile motel home looks just like the one that we’ve been in for the last several weeks but when we open the door here – the view is way better than most and the sun IS shining! SPFB!! When we drove down here about 5 years ago when H’s dear Aunt Ruth passed away, we stopped here at the park and had a picnic lunch. Back then, I took a picture of the brightly colored kayaks and the wonderful view of the ocean. The kayaks are still here and we are definitely enjoying the ocean views still. There are 60 campsites in the park and each one backs up to the ocean. Talk about pretty sunrises! Each site is separated by thick green walls of mangrove, palmetto bushes and even morning glory vines in bloom and finished off with a low split rail fence. To the east side of the fence is a low dune – and then the gentle lapping waves on the small beach – when the tide is in! When the tide is out – the beach is 20 feet wider and spattered with rocks and bobbing little shore birds. Today, H even saw an Osprey fly over with a fish clasped in his talons.
Once we were parked and all set up last Friday, H called B&B who were parked in an RV Resort down the road a few mile markers. On the highway from the beginning of the Keys the miles are marked by “mm” and count down. Key Largo starts at 100; Key West is 0 at the other end. We are at mile marker 67.5. We invited B&B to go out for seafood and of course, B had to drive and H navigated. We found our favorite “hole in the wall”, back road restaurant/fish market, Castaways. We were seated on their enclosed patio, right by the boat dock for our dinner. The seafood was still good but the prices – not so much anymore.
These last two days have gone by quickly. We’ve kept busy by exploring the rest of the park, reading, me knitting, H napping and both of us walking the long narrow beach – ALL done in the warm sun and ocean breezes. Saturday we rode our bikes north a couple of miles and investigated a few small residential streets, all of which had boat channels as back yards. Today we rode them south to, over and back over the Marathon Bridge, a 3-mile long bridge that gently arches as a divider over the turquoise blue waters of the ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The “old” bridge, intact and right next to the one for auto traffic, is now for fishing, pedestrian and bike traffic, as well as being perches for big gray pelicans and long graceful white herons.
Monday morning, on the way down a few more Keys, we stopped for breakfast at The Stuffed Pig before pulling into Bahia Honda State Park between mm 36 & 37 and is divided by hwy 1. SPFB for pictures of the Flagler Bridge and the minivan going under the highway showing that the bridge height was 6 ft 8 inches! A beautiful day to walk the beach, however – since there have been several storms in the area lately – the shores were lined with thick blankets of shredded seaweed that had been washed up, wave after wave onto the beach. No snorkeling here either. Since R&N were on their way to a KOA park that was down at mm 20 – H decided we should go see if they were there yet. We were just getting nicely caught up when the sky grew charcoal gray and the lightening started flashing. We took refuge in the Laundromat area, along with several campers who had the misfortune of being tent campers! When the deluge let up, we ran to our vehicles and went out to dinner at Mangrove Mama’s – just up on the highway. Have you gotten the drift of the restaurant names down here? Tomorrow we’ll drive down to Key West.
Once we were parked and all set up last Friday, H called B&B who were parked in an RV Resort down the road a few mile markers. On the highway from the beginning of the Keys the miles are marked by “mm” and count down. Key Largo starts at 100; Key West is 0 at the other end. We are at mile marker 67.5. We invited B&B to go out for seafood and of course, B had to drive and H navigated. We found our favorite “hole in the wall”, back road restaurant/fish market, Castaways. We were seated on their enclosed patio, right by the boat dock for our dinner. The seafood was still good but the prices – not so much anymore.
These last two days have gone by quickly. We’ve kept busy by exploring the rest of the park, reading, me knitting, H napping and both of us walking the long narrow beach – ALL done in the warm sun and ocean breezes. Saturday we rode our bikes north a couple of miles and investigated a few small residential streets, all of which had boat channels as back yards. Today we rode them south to, over and back over the Marathon Bridge, a 3-mile long bridge that gently arches as a divider over the turquoise blue waters of the ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The “old” bridge, intact and right next to the one for auto traffic, is now for fishing, pedestrian and bike traffic, as well as being perches for big gray pelicans and long graceful white herons.
Monday morning, on the way down a few more Keys, we stopped for breakfast at The Stuffed Pig before pulling into Bahia Honda State Park between mm 36 & 37 and is divided by hwy 1. SPFB for pictures of the Flagler Bridge and the minivan going under the highway showing that the bridge height was 6 ft 8 inches! A beautiful day to walk the beach, however – since there have been several storms in the area lately – the shores were lined with thick blankets of shredded seaweed that had been washed up, wave after wave onto the beach. No snorkeling here either. Since R&N were on their way to a KOA park that was down at mm 20 – H decided we should go see if they were there yet. We were just getting nicely caught up when the sky grew charcoal gray and the lightening started flashing. We took refuge in the Laundromat area, along with several campers who had the misfortune of being tent campers! When the deluge let up, we ran to our vehicles and went out to dinner at Mangrove Mama’s – just up on the highway. Have you gotten the drift of the restaurant names down here? Tomorrow we’ll drive down to Key West.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Everglades
On the road - again - across the Tamiami Trail, that thin, forever long ribbon of cement that cuts thru the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Everglades National Park, from west to east. On either side are marshes and tall swamp grass lined canals – no doubt, dug with that metal monster – the Bay City Dredge!! Even on this cold morning there were alligators trying to warm their armored backs in the hopeful rays of the sun. And throngs of wading birds, out looking for their first meals of the day! Our first stop was the Visitor Center where we walked the boardwalk and joined the rest of the tourists watching for more “gators” and long graceful Great White Herons. On down the road we stopped again at Shark Valley Visitor Center. It was way too cold and windy to even think of getting the bikes down from their rack on the back of the trailer even tho the blacktop road was inviting as it lead along yet another canal, decorated with more egrets, green herons and what ever else the rest of those birds were! H and I bundled up and managed to walk a ways into the park before our ears were froze and ready to break off. Maybe on our next trip across the Glades we’ll make it to the observation tower at the end of that road.
As cold and windy as it was in the middle of the day, we K N E W we needed to find some electricity for the coming colder night! (We have become very attached to our heated mattress pad and chilled at the thought of having to go without it!) Thank You, LORD - - it was provided when we came across the Midway Campground! A very clean, well-groomed National Park Campground that has electricity, and nice facilities but no showers. We will survive! Once settled in, we had the afternoon to go exploring . . . again. We all know that H cannot stay at rest for too long if there is new territory to conquer! The Glades map showed a “scenic” loop road but the folks at the visitor center said it was really rough and that folks had trouble even with 4wheel drive and skid plates. If you know H – you don’t tell him that! It was rough – and it had a lot of sharp rocks and big muddy potholes and it went on forever because in spite of the posted 25 mph speed limit signs – nobody could ever go that fast! The area was partially Indian Reservation homes and then wilderness – mangrove forest, Cypress swamp and pinewoods. We drove it, so you don’t have to!
On H’s return from his evening trip to the men’s room, he insisted that I come see this huge moth that was clinging to the outside wall of the cement block building. What a beautiful dark brown creature he was, about 6 inches from wing tip to wing tip, with dark blue spots on those velvet wings. I looked in my “Readers Digest Wildlife” book that travels everywhere with us but to no avail – I cannot find out what this moth is. If anyone can tell me – please email me and let me know!
We left the Glades on Tuesday morning and turned south to Homestead and Florida City – the towns that are the gateways to the Florida Keys and to the Biscayne National Park. We parked in a “vintage” midtown campground in the middle of Florida City. Once again – we did it so you don’t have to! And we won’t again either!
Beautiful blue Biscayne Bay is just south of Miami and the National Park is comprised of 95% water, which provides sanctuary for many birds and marine animals. We watched a movie about the area and the devastation it endured from the direct hit of hurricane Andrew in 1992. The visitor center was just being built then and is one of the few buildings that sustained those 200 mph winds. We walked the balconies of the center, enjoying the grand view of the snug harbor and the vast water that lay outside its protective walls. We also walked its wide walkways that rimmed the waters edge and led to a long narrow peninsula that jetted out along the entry to the quiet harbor. Out on the choppy waters, churned by the ever present winds, several wind surfers were racing - flying along at 35mph - darting back and forth, throwing spray as they went.
Thursday morning meant it was time to find the Keys!! As H always says: At one end of 75 is a Lock (the Soo!) and at the other end is a Key! It was time we got there! We had breakfast in Key Largo and then a stop to check out the Fiesta Resort that was recommended by B&B. H decided to take a chance and stop at Long Key State Park to see if they had any openings for first come first serve folks. One! We’re here!
As cold and windy as it was in the middle of the day, we K N E W we needed to find some electricity for the coming colder night! (We have become very attached to our heated mattress pad and chilled at the thought of having to go without it!) Thank You, LORD - - it was provided when we came across the Midway Campground! A very clean, well-groomed National Park Campground that has electricity, and nice facilities but no showers. We will survive! Once settled in, we had the afternoon to go exploring . . . again. We all know that H cannot stay at rest for too long if there is new territory to conquer! The Glades map showed a “scenic” loop road but the folks at the visitor center said it was really rough and that folks had trouble even with 4wheel drive and skid plates. If you know H – you don’t tell him that! It was rough – and it had a lot of sharp rocks and big muddy potholes and it went on forever because in spite of the posted 25 mph speed limit signs – nobody could ever go that fast! The area was partially Indian Reservation homes and then wilderness – mangrove forest, Cypress swamp and pinewoods. We drove it, so you don’t have to!
On H’s return from his evening trip to the men’s room, he insisted that I come see this huge moth that was clinging to the outside wall of the cement block building. What a beautiful dark brown creature he was, about 6 inches from wing tip to wing tip, with dark blue spots on those velvet wings. I looked in my “Readers Digest Wildlife” book that travels everywhere with us but to no avail – I cannot find out what this moth is. If anyone can tell me – please email me and let me know!
We left the Glades on Tuesday morning and turned south to Homestead and Florida City – the towns that are the gateways to the Florida Keys and to the Biscayne National Park. We parked in a “vintage” midtown campground in the middle of Florida City. Once again – we did it so you don’t have to! And we won’t again either!
Beautiful blue Biscayne Bay is just south of Miami and the National Park is comprised of 95% water, which provides sanctuary for many birds and marine animals. We watched a movie about the area and the devastation it endured from the direct hit of hurricane Andrew in 1992. The visitor center was just being built then and is one of the few buildings that sustained those 200 mph winds. We walked the balconies of the center, enjoying the grand view of the snug harbor and the vast water that lay outside its protective walls. We also walked its wide walkways that rimmed the waters edge and led to a long narrow peninsula that jetted out along the entry to the quiet harbor. Out on the choppy waters, churned by the ever present winds, several wind surfers were racing - flying along at 35mph - darting back and forth, throwing spray as they went.
Thursday morning meant it was time to find the Keys!! As H always says: At one end of 75 is a Lock (the Soo!) and at the other end is a Key! It was time we got there! We had breakfast in Key Largo and then a stop to check out the Fiesta Resort that was recommended by B&B. H decided to take a chance and stop at Long Key State Park to see if they had any openings for first come first serve folks. One! We’re here!
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