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.

Key West Week 5

Friday, March 5

Bob dropped by this morning and asked if we wanted to go with he and Lynn to the flea market at Big Pine Key. Obviously we are always open for new adventures.

And what a fun day.  We ended up purchasing several "must have" things (that we don't need).

Then off to a great lunch a "No Name Pub".  It is really off the beaten track, but with the trusty GPS, we found it.  A great treat!

We had heard several people mention the "Navigator" at Boca Chita Naval Station a few miles North of our campground.  On the way back from Big Pine Key, we dropped by it.  A beautiful setting for a restaurant/beach/party place.  We'll go back next week.

Bob and Lynn Hector from Havelock.

Sunday, March 6

The spot behind us came available today, and it is closer to the water, plus we can turn the coach around and face the water, so we moved 50 feet.  The view is pretty doggone good.

This afternoon I went on a 15 mile bike ride around the area with a group of fellow campers.  It's been a while since I've ridden that far, and my butt is sore.

A neighbor brought over some fresh fish they had caught, so tonight we invited Bob and Lynn over to have some of Clara's delicious chowder.

The wind has picked up again and it's supposed to be windy a good part of the week.  That might cut down on the swimming in the Gulf.

Monday, March 7

It was nice to wake up this morning and look out at the Gulf.  This is probably one of the best sites in the entire park - just wish we had electric hook up.  But, we've adjusted to "dry" camping rather well.  We just have to remember to keep the little Honda generator in fuel.  It's a great machine and doing it's job magnificently.  I've learned more about the motorhome electric system these past few weeks than I ever knew.

This afternoon we went downtown to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.  We have heard some great comments about it and had been waiting for a good day to go - and today was it.  I never thought I would enjoy spending 2 hours watching butterflys, but I certainly did - and enjoyed every minute.

They claim to have over 50 butterfly species and 20 bird species in the enclosed habitat.

And the birds

After the Conservatory, we went to Blue Heaven for drinks and dinner.  A great afternoon and evening.

Clara enjoys hanging out with some of the locals

Tuesday, March 8

It is windy, but at least its not blowing on shore from the Gulf.  Supposedly, the next couple of days are going to be windy - up to 30 mph.  No swimming in the Gulf.

We met Lynn and Bob downtown for Happy Hour, trying out a couple of restaurant/bars.  A pleasant, warm day.

Wednesday, March 9

No special plans for the day.  We're just relaxing and enjoying the warm tropical breezes (which are quite strong still).

This afternoon, some guys started setting up for kite surfing (at least that's what I think it's called) on the beach in front of the motor home.  Shortly, a lot of the neighbors were sitting around watching these guys get ready and heading out on the water.  They provided an afternoons entertainment for all.

As they neared the end of the day, one young fellow comes over and asks if he can sit in the shade for a while.  Come to find out that he and his father are from Charlotte.  He's a senior in high school and his father is a retired Air Force pilot now flying for UPS.  We enjoy talking to both he and his father, plus his fathers friend, an Air Force instructor pilot.

A nice afternoon's entertainment.

This evening we had dinner at the Sunset lounge just around the corner here on base.

Thursday, March 10

We're getting very comfortable lazing around the house and not doing anything.  Today, the guys showed up again kite surfing and put on an all afternoon performance.

We had lunch at the Navigator Lounge at Boca Chita.  We had actually gone to get Clara's military ID card renewed, but found that she needs two forms of picture ID and she had only one.  We'll have the second one tomorrow, which gives us another excuse to go back to the Navigator Lounge.

Friday, March 11

This morning we went back to Boca Chita and got Clara's new military ID card.  While there, we went to the on-base marina and stopped by to see some acquaintances from Beaufort who live the winter on their sailboat here.

We stopped at the end of the runway and watched a few planes landing.  There are a lot of planes from foreign nations that come here for training.

On the way back we stopped at Hogfish Grill (which had come highly recommended) - and it was excellent.  It's on Stock Island, which is what is the commercial fishing district.

This evening, Bob and Lynn came over and we had dinner outside.  Surprisingly, we haven't done this in a while.

We'll be leaving here Tuesday morning and slowly heading North.