Leaving Key West heading North

Saturday, March 13

We've been looking forward to the Marathon Seafood Festival since we first heard of it, wanting to compare it to our festival in Morehead City;

First, it was nice (and it was pretty warm - some would even say hot).  But it was not the size of the one at home - I would guess about a third the size.  They had some great seafood, lots of vendors, music, etc, much the same.

And it was fun.  Bob and Lynn went with us.

Sunday, March 14

This is what we really wanted to see every day.  The wind died down and it was in the low 80's.  A perfect day to sit around and just enjoy the water.  I went for a long swim this morning, and the rest of the day we sat in the shade watching a lot of activity on the water.  Obviously, everyone was waiting for the perfect day.

Just enjoying a beautiful afternoon.

This evening, Bob and Lynn invited us, along with Charlie and Joann Corbett for appetizers - and viewing the sunset.  A nice ending for our 6 weeks here.

We arrived on January 29 and will be leaving day after tomorrow - March 15.  That's longer than we've ever stayed in one location, and for the first time I think we're going to miss it.

Twilight at home!

Monday, March 14

What a great day for a last day here.  Relaxing, lunch at the Hogfish Grill again, swimming in the warm clear waters, and getting ready to head North

Tuesday, March 15

Okay, not the best day of our journey!

We both made the comment this morning that this is the only time we have regretted leaving a place.  We are usually ready to move on in a week or so, but we have enjoyed meeting so many new people, the sights and sounds of Key West, this really great campground (especially the water view from our site), the ability to walk 50 feet to the gulf to swim, and the warm weather.  This is the only place in Florida to be in the winter. 

Today certainly started beautifully.  This morning, for the first time since arriving, the Gulf was absolutely calm.  Not a ripple on the water.  We actually saw some dolphin playing close to shore.  Beautiful!

We were able to get moving North around 11 am, after loading all the stuff and after dumping the tanks.  We only have a 4 hour drive to Midway Campground in the Big Cypress Nature Preserve (Everglades).

Well, about 30 to 45 minutes after getting on the road North, BAM!  On a bridge, the right front tire decides it’s time to stop working.  And it stops working in a second. BAM!  A Blowout! On a bridge!  There ain’t no options!  Stop!  In the middle of a bridge!  On the only road into and out of Key West.  Oh shucks!

Immediately call 911. “We’re on a bridge, we can’t move, we need help”! 

Soon a sheriff’s deputy arrives and starts directing traffic (which builds up to a 3 mile backup)  I’m in contact with Good Sam, with whom we have a breakdown service, they are trying to find a wrecker that can move a 30,000 ton vehicle – in the Keys.  The sheriffs deputy comes over and says “mister, if you don’t have something within a couple of minutes, I’m going to have to call a wrecker”  I say, “please, do it!”. 

A few minutes later, a wrecker shows up.  Now traffic is really backed up.  $650 later, I’m off the bridge and safely tucked on the side of the road with no means of moving forward.  The right front tire is shredded and there ain’t no moving forward.

Now starts the process of finding a tire.  We don’t (can’t) carry a spare.  The nearest Michelin tire is in Miami three hours away.  After we get that clarified, we start heading North to Miami (in the car, the motorhome isn’t going anywhere) to get the tire.  But why do we have to have a Michelin tire.  I make some calls and find a comparable tire (Dunlop) in Marathon ( a few miles North) and they have a mobile service that can come to us.  Happy Days!

The guy shows up, replaces the shredded tire, and we are on the remaining trek at 5:30 PM to Midway Campground which is 3+ hours away.

We do not like to arrive at a campsite after dark, but have no choice. 

Finally we’ve arrived at Midway around 9:15, wake the host, find our site, and (with some new hand signals from me to Clara on how to back into a campsite in the dark), we are settled into our new home.

Then some wine and Wild Turkey later, I think we’ve calmed down enough to go to sleep.

A beautiful start to a day that no RV’er wants to happen. 

But stuff happens.  You deal with it.  It is past.  No body hurt.  Just another memorable day.

Wednesday, March 16

Today makes up for yesterday.

First, I slept until 9:30.  I guess I was pretty tired.  I know I was pretty tired!

We revisited a place that we really enjoyed last year, Shark Valley.  Here there is a 26 mile loop road that we biked last year – in its entirety.  I still hurt thinking about it.  But we did it.

This time, we went about 11 miles, which is pretty remarkable for Clara.  It’s really the first major exercise she’s had in a year (except for shopping).  And she was a trooper.  Did great.  But the last couple of miles we both dragged a little.  The temperature was in the mid 80’s, so no wonder.  We stopped often for water – but she made it.  Great lady.

Then we decided to make the 45 minute drive to Everglades City to get stone crab.  We remembered it fondly from last year.  And it was worth the drive.

We’re staying in Midway Campground in the Cypress National Reserve.  We’ve stayed here last year and really like it.  It is truly isolated (but with electric service), quiet, and convenient for a nice layover.

Tommorrow we head to Lake Suzy (North of Fort Myers) to spend a few days with our dear friends, the Pimentels.