DECEMBER 9, Saturday, cloudy
After filling a bottle of propane for $19., we said our g'byes to our friends and were on the road by 10 a.m.
Took Hwy 435 south to hwy 50 west then S.E. on the Florida Turnpike (toll) to Hwy 95 Cost was $18.
Just before Miami, the traffic came to a crawl for about 3 miles then finally picked up pace. Never saw waht cause the slow down except that there were a lot of cops on the side of the hwy.
We partly drove through the Everglades and then onto the Florida Keys. It is warm and humid at 6 p.m. and we finally arrived at our site around 7 p.m. on Long Island Key in the Park by the same name near Layton.
Quickly set up water and electricity and went to bed by 9 p.m. very tired.
DECEMBER 10, Sunday, cloudy with sunny breaks
We woke up in PARADISE! We are about 10-15 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. WOW! On the other side is the Gulf of Mexico, about 150 yards away. It is 65*F at 7 a.m. and 75 by 9 a.m. What a beautiful place; plam trees, clean facilities, ample room between sites and friendly people. We have power and water but no sewer which is not a problem because we are here only 3 days, UNFORTUNATELY!!!!!!
We (Val) made a lunch and we headed out south to Key West, the souther most Island. we crossed numerous little Island and then the 7 miles bridge (literally), a few more Island and finally Key West. We continued on to the southermost point in the Continental United States at N 24*32'51" W 81*47'53"; 71 miles from Layton, 152 miles from Miami and 90 miles from Cuba.
We reached Mile 0 on Hwy 1 and calculated that we have so far put on a grand total of 4830 miles since we left Drummond'ville, Quebec. From here on, we are travelling back to our home in BC. We have reached our most furthest point on this adventure.
We had lunch a the harbor and watched a big ship docked, We walked the old downtown and bought a couple souvenirs. the place was quiet untill the ship disgorged its human cargo, then the street became very crowded. Very expensive here, fuel is at $2.99/gal andbeer and wine and food is also expensive.
After 2 hours in town, we left and drove back home. Val drove back while I took pictures. She did a good job and got us home sound and safe.
FOOTNOTE: The word "KEY" derives from spanish word "CAYO" which means a low flat Island. The Keys were first joined by rail in 1905 and when it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1912, the present hwy was built and opened in 1938.
Once home, we sat by the ocean having a drink and watched all the different birds around: common gulls, long billed dowitcher, egrets, common snipe, a few hawks and the ever present vultures. there were also a lot of sand pipers. Oh yeah...mustn't forget the old pelican.
Life is good....we feel very blessed being here!
DECEMBER 11, Monday, Cloudy
Very windy today. We went into Islamorada got some milk and looked around. I took on 22 gallons @ $2.699, stopped at a couple shops but didn't buy anything, saw a memorial for the people who lost their lifes in hurricanes in 1935.
We never got to kayak as it was too windy. That was a disappointment as we were both looking forward to that. We walked the beach and a nature trail near by, saw lots of portuge man-of war and got ready to leave tomorrow.
DECEMBER 12, Tuesday, sun & clouds
Light wind and a balmy 70* welcomed us to this day. We left at 10 a.m. and headed for mainland Florida. It is 80*F and humid by the time we left. We will miss this place. It was the highlight of this leg, for sure.
Drove the next 67 miles trying to make it last but were soon at Largo Key and our turn North to the mainland.
In Homestead, we headed north on Hwy 997 where we saw an accident where a truck wrapped itself around a telephone pole. A few miles further we had to detour again due to 7 car pile up. Drove east to the toll hwy and then north for a couple miles and east on hwy 41. That cost us $4 on tolls. Drivers here are ignorant, stupid and the worst kind. I swear they love to cut off people, zig-zag and speed for no reason. There is very little courtesy.
Anyway, we reached our next destination, Gator Park nest tto the Everglades National Park. Cost was $45 for two nights (P.A.) It is 2 p.m.
We set up and then looked around. Saw some alligators fenced in and are looking forward to the airboat ride tomorrow.
BBQ steaks for dinner
DECEMBER 13, Wednesday
Woke up to heat and humidity. 75*F @ 8a.m. we have coupons for the airride (2 for 1) so after breakfast, we took our turn. What a ride it was. Really liked the "river of grass" as it is called. Saw lots of alligators, egrets and heron. Even saw a Iguana that was lost!? The ride lasted 40 minutes and there were about 14 people on board. That boat just glided over the water which was only 10 inches to 2 feet deep.
Afterwards, we had a demonstration on alligators which turned out to be very educational and interesting. For lunch we tried alligator tail and frog legs. DELICIOUS! The only draw back was the server who almost demanded a tip which really turned me off but since it was his birthday, we gave him $2. ( he wanted more)
In the afternoon, we went to Flamingo Bay at teh south end of Florida, in the EverGlades National Park. It was interesting again and we saw different grass and trees, lots of birds, and the destruction that Katrina caused there althoguh they have repaired a lot.
Flamingo city is a resort within the park whcih consisted of a motel, restaurants, and stores which were all closed. there is also a camp ground there which looked interesting with limited hook-ups.
Drove back home and found new neighbors, Connie and Wayne, a naval retiree and she was a full-timers before meeting Wayne. Interesting people and we had happy hour together.
FOOTNOTE: The everglades are unique in the world. This is the only place one will find such an extend of wetlands known as the "river of grass". It is endangered by the human factor and modernization and control of water via canals
DECEMBER 14, Thursday, rain
What a change from yesterday. we packed and left in the rain. Headed west on hwy 41 along the Tuniami canal and made a quick stop at a couple of Park visitor centre. One of them we saw a female ahinga dive and catch a fish then bring it to the shore and beat the head of the fish on a rock before eating it.
A tthe first stop, Shark Valley Park, we walked a path where we walked by an alligator on the path and only 10 feet from us. Also saw a mother alligator with its young (about 5). Really neat. Caught up in a deluge, we ran back to the truck and left.
Continued on Hwy 41 to 29 where we turned north to 80 then east to 27 and finally, west to our new site, Moorehaven, Robin's Nest RV park at $12/night. We will be here until Dec. 28. We are 8 miles from town.
DECEMBER 15, Friday, cloudy
It rained overnight and this morning is very humid at 70*F I had a poor sleep...I could smell the humidity and it was uncomfortable.
didn't do much today but relax and set up. Went into town and not much there...actually it is a very depressed place. Not impressed with Moorehaven. The libray has WIFI so will have to come back here to get my blog updated.
DECEMBER 16, Saturday, rain
Up at 8. It is raining and the sky is defintely stormy. It cleared in p.m. so we took a drive to Clewiston, about 15 miles from here. A little bigger but not much else happening. Also checked out Palmdale for a kayak site.
Decided to clean both batteries in the truck and the 5er. Now, my jake is not working???????? Wonder what I did...what didssyou do Pauze?
DECEMBER 17, Sunday, sunny
82*F today Had lunch then dorve to Labelle, about 30 miles from here, then decided to go on to Ft-Myers, 30miles further. Did some looking around and shopping then came home
DECEMBER 18, Monday, cloud/sun
A relaxing day with nothing to report
DECEMBER 19, Tuesday, sunny
Took the truck in to be service: oil change and brakes and have the jakes checked out. We biked back and I did some internet and blogging
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