Mile Marker 39, Florida Keys

We have been shirking our blogging  duties....falling into the Florida Keys lackadaisical lifestyle.

I'll do a little catch up today.

As Jack mentioned last time, I spent a week in Seattle visiting my daughter, Evan. I left 81 degree Miami, traveled through 12 degree Detroit, and landed in 41 degree Seattle. My thermostat was very confused! We did some shopping, went to see "Oliver!", ate lots of Christmas cookies, went to Pike Street Market, and spent a day in Portland, where we were able to briefly visit with Becca and Tara, and their families, and tour Portland State University, where Evan has applied.

Jack languished in Key Largo, and was a bronzed god when I got back.  Tough duty, but someone had to do it.

Hanging out in Key Largo

We rented a couple of kayaks and paddled through the water trails traversing the mangroves, hoping to see some cool wildlife. We didn't, but it was really nice to be out on the water.

Now we are in Big Pine Key, another 60 miles deeper into the Keys. As we travel South, it gets less crowded, with more open water, and flatter. The highest point in the Keys is 17 feet above sea level. I prefer this area down here to Key Largo, which was a little too "Southern California" for me.

We are in Sunshine Key RV "Resort", which is a far cry from our personal paradise we had in Key Largo. Most of the RV parks in this area are flat with densely packed RV spaces and a few palm trees, which is what this is. But, it is surrounded on two sides by the Gulf, and is quiet and clean. We are on a small island between Big Pine Key and Marathon Key, so wherever we go we cross bridges.

Throughout eastern Florida, from St. Augustine on down, we have heard the name Henry Flagler.  Mr. Flagler was the founder of Standard Oil and quite a visionary. In the early 1900's, he built the Florida railroad system, extending it all the way to Key West.  Much of the old railroad causeway and bridges still are here, paralleling the Overseas Highway.  One of the weirdest parts is across from where we are staying.  They actually installed an automobile highway ON TOP OF the railroad bridge. It is not in use today, but still stands.

Railroad bridge with highway installed on top.

Big Pine Key is home to the Key Deer Refuge. These deer migrated down here from Virginia during the Ice Age, then got stuck here when the ice melted. Because of the limited food supply available to them, they have evolved into their own separate species, and are just white tail deer in miniature.

Key Deer, probably about 40 lbs

We saw a full grown buck with antlers that was only slightly larger than our old friend, Mandy the dog.

All traffic stops while he decides what he wants to do....

Key Deer are federally protected, so they simply wander where they want, and are not timid at all.

There is also an area on the island called "The Blue Hole". It's an old quarry that is now the only fresh water lake in the Keys. Of course it has the requisite alligators and turtles, but a few years ago, one of the Hurricanes (I forget which one) actually washed a couple of Tarpon fish into the Hole. They adapted to the fresh water and they were jumping and splashing in the sunshine.

This guy was lazing in the sun, about 2 feet from where we were standing

Yesterday we drove the last 39 miles to Key West. As expected, it was rather touristy, but fun. There are some beautiful old buildings, scenic waterways, and a somewhat tacky "devil-may-care" attitude. We enjoyed our visit.

Key West outdoor dining. Pretty, huh?

A beach at Key West

We ate lunch at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (of course, look who I 'm married to...) and walked Duval Street.

Jack, channelling Jimmy Buffett at Margaritaville

We had to get a photo of the large buoy which marks the  southernmost spot in the USA. There was a line of about 30 tourists, just to get close to the buoy. A bit of a zoo. Excuse the poor pic.

90 miles to Cuba (closer than the 125 miles to Miami)

We had planned on staying in the Keys through New Year's, but we have kind of had enough. Those of you in cold climes will laugh, but we are sort of tired of the never-ending sun and humidity, and are ready for some variety. So we are planning our next move. Not sure where, so stay tuned!