Allan purchased a motorcycle down here and we really loved our trip north and south with it that first year. However, we have decided that although the weather makes riding inviting most of the year here the traffic and lack of vistas doesn't.
We decided that we really wanted to go to the Keys on the bike before we put it up for sale. We had friends visiting there so this was the time to go. We rode on Interstate 75 to Naples and then across the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades.
A sea of grass.
Luck was on our side and we didn't see any wildlife on the roadway.
I found it reassuring that only cars skid on this road...
At least when the animals do cross the road they just do it one at a time.
There are several "Indian Villages" along this route. There are wooden fences on either side of the entrances to these villages which are very close to the road.
We stopped at Everglades National Park, Shark Valley. We rode on the wildlife-viewing tram. We saw lots of alligators,
this killdeer,
and this great egret
in the everglades sawgrass prairie.
We also spotted this red shouldered hawk.
The tram takes a couple of hours to travel through the everglades on a trail that is also used by hikers and bicyclists. It leads to this former fire tower. It is 65 feet tall and provides quite the observation platform. When it was turned into an observation tower they added the ramp. There were outstanding views from the ramp as well. (The spiral staircase to the top is closed.)
The everglades were fascinating and we are glad that we took the time to stop in and take the tram ride. There are a total of 4 visitor centers and maybe in the future we will explore the other three.
We traveled on and the skies got darker threatening rain. We called Kate and Bill Barter a couple of times to confirm our rendezvous time. Both times we had to leave a message.
We arrived at Alabama Jack's at 5:30. They had not arrived yet so we were prepared to wait. However, the waitress informed us that the afternoon had been really slow so they were going to close at 6:00. We tried to call them again but there was no cell service. Unsure just what to do and since we were hungry we ordered. We were seated by the water's edge and enjoyed watching several varieties of good sized fish swim about.
The food came but Kate and Bill didn't. Allan ordered conch fritters and the order was huge. When he told the waitress that he couldn't eat any more she explained that he needed to toss them overboard for the fish to eat. The fish swarmed and gobbled up the fritters. I doubt that they should have been fed people food and I know the grease sheen from the fried fritters wasn't very good for the environment either.
After dinner we headed toward Kate and Bill's condo knowing that it was in a gated area and we wouldn't be able to get in. When we were almost there we stopped for gas and we got a call from them. As it turned out our messages from much earlier in the day didn't send until we had left the restaurant. Once they got them they immediately headed toward Alabama Jack's but apparently we passed each other. Kate thought we would be on two bikes and we didn't know that they were driving a spiffy mustang convertible
since it was a rental car.
since it was a rental car.
We waited for them at the gas station and the rain arrived. It was a quick shower. After meeting up with them we followed along to their condo. It was a two bedroom, two full bath, very lovely place, 100 feet or so from the water on the western side of Key Largo. As it turned out it had rained heavy there all day and Kate thought we were running late for dinner because we had stopped for the rain.
Kate's sweet friend Diana was there and generously gave up her bed for us. She probably didn't sleep much on the not so comfy couch.
The next morning we headed for Key West which is about a 200 mile round trip ride.
They grow really big lobsters in the Keys!
I just rode along on the back of the motorcycle doing my thing taking pictures as we rode.
The variety of colors in the water were astounding.
There was an old railroad...
We planned to stop on Big Pine Key to visit the Nation Key Deer Refuge Visitor Center.
We couldn't find the Visitor Center but we found on of the viewing areas that I had read about.
And at the Big Blue Hole we saw a green heron.
And a snoozing alligator.
There was also a pair of Florida Redbelly Turtles.
And we actually saw a couple Key Deer. They were about the size of a great dane dog.
The view was stellar from the back of the bike and the weather clear, breezy and in the 80's.
We made it to Key West and I was very glad that I wasn't riding my motorcycle. It took the talents of a very skilled biker to maneuver the streets, busy intersections and full parking lots. He was about to abandon Key West when we drove by a place with a parking sign. They had just the spot for us.
We were just outside the Hog's Breath Saloon. We stopped in there for a make over and a tasty lunch.
After lunch we went for a ride on the famous Key West Conch Train Tour. The tour takes 90 minutes and was a bit pricy for our liking but our tour guide gave us a history filled and entertaining tour. When you go, ask for Kenny as your engineer. You won't be disappointed with your tour.
So close yet so very, very, far away.
We were told that the the ceilings of the porches were painted blue to discourage bees and wasps from nesting there. When they see the blue they think it is sky and keep on keeping on.
After the tour we walked down to Mallory Square and found the "cock of the walk".
The harbor is very deep and it frequently hosts cruise ships.
This is the ferry the goes from Ft. Myers to Key West. Another time we would like to take it and spend a night there. This time we didn't have time to really walk around and check out any of the museums and shops.
Chickens rule the roost in Key West and have the legal run of the place.
There is a restaurant that we like in greater downtown Milbridge, Maine. I was immediately reminded of 44* North when I saw this Hotel sign as we were leaving Key West.
Once again one of the old railroad bridges.
I don't know how hard it is to get reservations in this state park but it would be worth a try.
I've seen lots of RV camping locations on our Florida travels over the past couple of years but none come close to being as nice a location as these in Bahia Honda State Park in the keys.
I know some Mildhog couples who might enjoy a night or three here.
This is a common myna bird. I spotted him in a parking lot while we were stopped to call and check in with Kate, our Key hostess.
Common Myna's a native to southern Asia. They have been sold worldwide as "caged birds". These in far southern Florida are feral.
We spent another night with Kate, Bill and Diana. Under gloomy skies and a troubling forecast for a showery day we left the next morning to head back to Venice. We'd had such delightful weather for our day in Key West I didn't really mind having to spend the day hoping to dodge showers.
We started out with our rain jackets on. After a short while and approaching dark threatening skies I got Allan to pull over so that we could pull on our rain pants. This is no easy task. It usually requires taking off your boots and jacket. That is why you always hope to get them on before you are actually in a downpour. We got them on just in time to experience a heavy shower for 30 minutes or so. After that we didn't get rained on again for the day.
Along the way back we stopped at the Big Cypress National Preserve Oasis Visitor Center. Since we were on the bike we didn't take any of the unpaved side roads into the preserve. We did walk along a nearby boardwalk and enjoyed viewing a half a dozen or so various sized alligators. This is another place that we would like to return another time to more thoroughly explore.
We had a great trip. We are very thankful to our kind friends who provided accommodations for us while we were in the Keys. Maybe another time they will stop in here and check out our little piece of the Suncoast.
We returned to the Selby Gardens yet again. The orchids had been replaced by a display of amazing Rainforest Masks of Costa Rica.
This time Allan and I went to hear Seth Walker, a bluesy storytelling singer. He was there as part of their Sunday Garden Music Series. The concert was outside under the enormous Banyan and Fig trees. There was plenty of shade (and for that matter sun) on the lawn that stretches down to Sarasota Bay.
This is 5 year old Mikey. He is our backdoor neighbor Miss Betty's cat. Mikey is one of those strongly independent cats. He seems to take great joy in pacing the pool cage hunting for anole lizards.
He has had multiple trips to the vet over the past two weeks. Finally, he seems to be doing better and has started eating on his own again. Here's wishing him a full recovery.
This bunny and these Ibis, which we call Florida chickens, are frequent visitors to our yard.
Last weekend we had a fun afternoon at the Suncoast BBQ and Bluegrass Festival here in Venice with Dawn and Rick. The BBQ was tasty and there were 60 pit masters competing.
Now that the temps are consistently in the 80's and the water temp is in the mid 70's and climbing it is a wonderful time to enjoy the beach and the gulf.
Dianne and Cathy stopped in yesterday and we discussed our upcoming transition north. They find it hard to believe that they have been here for 6 months. It has been their first full season down here. They have yet to decide when to return to Maine.
Lots of the "snowbirds" have left the area already. The "season" is essentially over. There are far fewer cars on the roads and people in the grocery store. We will remain a few more weeks to enjoy what the location and climate here have to offer before we head north. But, we are at the point where we are beginning to make travel plans. We will be driving the new Silver Taco.
