Get Us Back To The Keys!
Posted on Feb 18, 2013 | 19 comments
We're freezing!
I know . . . we shouldn't complain, but it's pretty cold camping here in Alabama. It's been dropping below freezing shortly after dinner and pretty much all we can do with the evening is hop in the tent and jump into our sleeping bags.
No question - It sure was nicer walking around barefoot in the Florida Keys!
If you can't be happy in The Keys, well . . .
The sunsets are perfect. The atmosphere is perfect. And the weather is . . . perfect. I like being able to walk out in shorts and bare feet each day. And I like sailing, and snorkeling, and having people offer me "walking beers" on the streets of Key West. And I even like falling asleep to Beattles covers blaring from the rooftop bar down the street and rising to the roosters crowing from the trees outside our hotel.
Yes, Key West can get touristy with all its cruise ships and cheap t-shirts on Duval Street, but it still remains remarkably quaint and unique. One can't help love the idea of waking up, grabbing a cup of coffee, and stumbling out onto a warm, shaded balcony to read, or write, or just watch the world go by. Things are easy in Key West. It's inspiring. It's loud one minute, serene the next, and everyone is just fine with that. It's diverse - and I like that too. It's no wonder all those writers like Hemingway, Williams, and even my daughter's fave - Judy Blume - set up shop down here. Whatever IT is it, Key West has IT.
And if one gets tired of the small city life, it's easy to break free from everything and wander up the narrow coast to Bahia Honda State Park, Long Key State Park, or Anne's Beach. The little escapes that line Highway 1 for 100 miles are plentiful and laid back. Here . . . you will find what you need.
Travel doesn't always work. You have lots of bad moments, and you leave some places never wanting to return. But The Keys worked perfectly for us. We became explorers . . . and everything we found was gold. We knew what we wanted and The Keys gave it to us. You have to wonder about places that just give you gold.
Is it just coincidence?
Just good timing?
Or do places like the Keys and Key West suit us so well that everything just seems to fall into place?
A Typical Breakfast With The Roosters In Key West
Typical Old Bakery And Coffee Shop In Key West.
The Blurry Haze Of Duval Steet At Night
Just Another House In Key West, But I Love That Balcony!
And more porches, trees, and easy breezes.
And all those Strangler trees!
Our Favorite Eats! 100 Montaditos! Conch Fritters and Key Lime Pies are great, but this place we loved!
Art and Roosters. Art and Roosters. Art and Roosters. Everywhere!
Looks Like Someone Blew Out Their Flip Flop.
Our First View Of Our Unexpected Campsite At Bahia Honda State Park
Can't beat this for under $40 a night!
They Don't Make Water Like This In Boston.
These guys caught way more fish than we did. Practice, Practice, Practice!
. . . and Iguanas
The Best Sunrises!
And the Best Sunsets!
This Basically Sums Up The Keys!
Next stop: New Orleans, Lousiana, USA!
Last Stop: The Everglades, Florida, USA
You can follow our complete North American Journey here.
And see all the gear we're taking with us here.
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Your take on the Keys is the same as ours. We absolutely love it there and dream of it often between each of our trips there. Can't wait to go back. Glad it went well for you, what an amazing place!
Rose Townsend recently posted..Bar Harbor, Maine
How nice would it be to meet up there some time!
Beautiful photos! We've only been to Miami, and we weren't that crazy about it, so it's nice to know there are more lovely and relaxed places to visit!
Patti recently posted..Paris – Chateau Fontainebleau ~
Patti - They are total opposites. Everyone fits in Key West. It is sooo easy going.
Amazing pictures!
I love key west and the Florida Keys in general. I have to say that my family and I had blast snorkeling at Penekamp Marine Park. I took my then 9 year old daughter by her hand as we pointed at gray and queen angels, yellow coral beauties, and all types of fishes. Bahia Honda was fun but we did not camp there.
David Moran recently posted..Machu Picchu Peru: A Masterpiece of Setting and Architecture.
I should have done Pennekamp. The camping was booked and our kids are a bit young to really get into snorkeling. But you're so right. I've heard great things about Pennekamp!
love the keys!!! did you see the southernmost us point?
sloppy joes - love that place
Certainly! But we could stand to wait in line for a photo!
Maggie loved Sloppy Joes as well.
nice photos! have been thinking of going to key west pretty soon.. looks like a great time!!! About to check out some of your posts from your journey- awesome trip so it seems so far! I've always wanted to take a long trip throughout the states! thanks for the inspiration! just started a travel blog- be sure to check it out! thanks!
Jessica recently posted..My Top 3 Travel Regrets
GO! You won't regret it. It's Awesome!
Love the Blog title!
Great pictures! Do you think it was a great place for the kids or if you went back, would you do adults only?
ronnie recently posted..Fort San Cristóbal, Puerto Rico
I would do either. The kids loved it! The beaches are great. You can swim with turtles and sharks. You can rent Jet Skis and go para-sailing. It's not crowded. The water is crystal clear.
Duval street is the main drag in Key West and it is very tame. A few nasty t-shirts, but you get that everywhere. Off Duval, it is very pleasant.
I find people love kids and usually adjust their behaviors accordingly. All was fine with us.
If your campers, you can really have a great time at Bahia Honda and drive into Key West in a 1/2 hour.
It looks fantastic! I've never been, but I'd love to, taken the kids to Orlando a few times, but never seen The Keys. How did we miss that? And New Orleans next, I'm so envious.
Alyson recently posted..Finding Love Through Travel
It is totally worth a visit. It is a hike from Orlando, but honestly my kids had more fun in Everglades and the Keys (although they had done Disney before).
Fly into Miami, go visit Everglades, and get to the Keys!
We are Sooo going after this post and pics!
You must go! It really is a special place. I was a skeptic. The Keys and Everglades are a must!
Hi Guys,
Wow! Those first few pics of Key West reminded me of Port Douglas, in Far North Queensland, Australia. So similar, except for the roosters and chickens! Hopefully you guys will be able to make the comparison for yourselves someday!
Happy Travels and I hope you get warm soon!
Those conchaditos looked real good man! GReat pics as usual! Where are you guys now?
Eddy Baez recently posted..If you can dream it, we can draw it!