KEY WEST - FLORIDA KEYS

MONDAY MARCH 16, 2015

Time for another bucket list day as we buy an adventure pack form Sunset Watersports which includes parasailing, paddle boarding, and kayaking on Smathers Beach in Key West.  First we try the paddle boards around the bay with JoAnn spending more time flopping into the water than riding the board. So much for paddle boarding and I hope we have better luck on the parasail. 12 of us pile into the boat with only the two young teenagers having parasailed before and the rest of us very nervous and anxious rookies.  You lift off and LAND right on the back of the boat, receive a couple high speed dips into the water before smoothly lifting up to 350 feet in the air.  The view is spectacular, the ride breathtaking, and the water far below us clear enough to spot a huge sea turtle swimming below us.  We land to cheers from the other riders after our ride of a lifetime!!!

After our thrill of a lifetime I spend the afternoon paddling around the bay chasing a beautiful spotted manta ray as it would weave its way around the swimmers and seemingly oblivious to this rookie paddle boarder following above it.  Take JoAnn out in a kayak after lunch and we spend an hour searching in vain for that elusive ray.  JoAnn decided on a quick swim to cool off and getting her back into the kayak turned into another adventure (would have made an amazing u-tube video).

After our beach adventures we cruise the crowed narrow streets (3 cruise ships in port and spring break for the kids) to visit the Southernmost Point in the U.S.  We've had enough of the touristy crowds of Key West and head back to Marathon.  On the way we manage to find the world famous NO NAME PUB hidden somewhere in the wilds of Big Pine Key.  Well worth the effort as the money hanging in this little gem puts Tortilla Flat to shame, and the delicious huge medium pizza and glasses of Big Pine Pale Ale disappeared in no time.  The Key Deer wandering around my truck in the parking lot were the icing on a perfect Florida Keys day.

 TUESDAY MARCH 17, 2015

After 12 hours of fabulous Florida sunshine yesterday we are ready for indoor activities and visit the AQUARIUM ENCOUNTERS.  Small, intimate, uncrowded aquarium with knowledgeable and friendly staff.  As usual I spend most of my time and money hand feeding the Manta Rays which will literally climb over your hand and arm for the fish you are holding.  Most amazing feeling!!  JoAnn actually had several fighting over her fish.  For a relaxing wind down we fed the slow moving but fiercely jaw crunching African Tortoise.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

Today I hike the old highway bridge out to Pigeon Key.  Interesting how they use the old steel railroad track for guardrail.  Most amazing were the number of BIG sharks swimming in the crystal clear blue waters below the bridge, I stopped counting at 25.  The HUGE (6 to 8 foot wing spans) Manta Rays were a pure joy to watch as they would glide effortlessly through the water and dive into the sand to stir up food.  It only took me a little over 4 hours to complete the 5 mile walk!

FLORIDA KEYS

Life is easy down here on the Florida Keys, relaxing on the white sandy beaches, drinking, swimming in the beautiful warm crystal blue Gulf & Atlantic waters, eating WAY too much seafood, partying, taking naps while everyone else fishes so we are able to enjoy the stunning sunsets from the boat dock behind our campsite.  We are spending the week in the town of Marathon on Grassy Key half way between Key Largo and Key West.

FRIDAY MARCH 13, 2015 - BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK

This Park preserves a section of the original railroad bridge built as the first land connection between Key Largo and Key West.  In 1928 the Overseas Highway was built on top of the railroad trestle. We could not swim on the Atlantic side of this Key because of an infestation of Portuguese Man of War, otherwise known as a very beautiful but painful jellyfish with LONG tentacles.  The crystal clear bayside water was a warm 78 deg. and with air temperatures in the mid 80's even JoAnn went for a swim.

SATURDAY MARCH 14, 2015 - MARATHON SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Spend the day wandering around visiting EVERY SINGLE vendor booth, listening to some awesome local bands, and stuffing ourselves with seafood.  Gave my fingers a workout on the peel & eat shrimp while JoAnn cracked crab legs.  We tried Conche-Wurst Sausage and please don't tell me what conche is as it tasted pretty good once I coated it with spicy mustard.  This festival is a BIG deal around here with everyone sticking a pin on the huge map at the entrance to represent their hometown and with the East Coast solid pins we were proud to be the only pin representing Yuma, AZ.


SUNDAY MARCH 15, 2015 - SOMBRERO BEACH PARK, MARATHON, FL.

Another warm balmy day just relaxing on the beach as life in the Florida Keys is really strenuous. Big event is the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle back into the ocean.  They are released about 30 yards from the water as the onlookers cheer it on to the water.  The excitement level of the entertainment around here is overwhelming.  This beach is on the Atlantic Ocean and only 20 miles from the jellyfish infested Bahia Beach and even though I kept a very weary eye out for them I didn't see any.  None of the other swimmers seemed concerned (quickly discovering that nobody seems concerned about anything around here) so maybe some ferocious sharks or water snakes scare them away.  Anyway we survived another lazy day and escaped only with a bad case of "prune" skin from spending too much time in the water.

Most interesting walking through our campground, most campers collect stickers or collector pins to show where they have been, down here they collect buoy's and hang them over their RV's.  Very nice!