Amazing that this is the continental USA. Islands, warm water, boats, fresh fish, sailing, snorkeling, and bars! At least 80 degrees outside everyday and this is January. Its been over 30 years since I was last here. First time for Sandy. A little more developed and more tourists….but still the Florida Keys. Once past Key Largo, life slows down….then Key West.
Big Pine Key
We checked into Sunshine Key Resort and Marina on Big Pine Key. We were lucky to get a space on the marina facing west.
There are other great sites on the water. The interior sites are tight and I don’t believe we would have enjoyed our stay here if not on the water. Sunshine Key has a pool, ping pong tables, tennis, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and more. We didn’t use any of them….a hot tub would have been great. Seems like most the people staying are long term and from the eastern seaboard and Canada. They have a number of permanent rentals on property. For New Years Eve they threw a party with beer, food, and live music, and then another party a week later. Party’s were a perfect way to meet the other guests.
There were 5 manatees that stayed around the marina so we were very fortunate to see them everyday for a couple of weeks.
Rangers came by a few times and they were great for informing us about the manatees. The manatee is protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. The manatee is also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: “It is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee.” Noting that, manatees require fresh water. They will hang out near leaking/dripping water hoses used by the boaters. The ranger noted it was ok if they drank from the leaking water, but not to supply fresh water or spray them with it.
Marathon Key
We went to Sunset Grill on Marathon Key a few times to enjoy good food, new friends and the sunset.
Marathon is a major sport fishing Key, with several charter fishing boats to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Its about in the middle of the Florida Keys. Reefs around Marathon provide good diving, snorkeling, spearfishing, and lobster tickling. The name Marathon dates back to the origin of the Florida East Coast Railroad. The name came about by the railroad workers who were working night and day to complete the railway – due to the unrelenting pace and struggle to complete the project, many of the workers complained that “this project is getting to be a real Marathon”, and was later used to name the local station along the railroad.
We also enjoyed watching the sunset at the Marina from the RV.
Another restaurant on Marathon Key is Burdines Waterfront Bar and Grille. The staff were incredible. Jake loved meeting new people and watching the boats refuel. This is a rustic place with open seating on a deck overlooking the marina. The food was incredible. Sandy got the sesame crusted Ahi wrap….chunks of fresh tuna. The chicken wrap was tasty too.
Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile highway carrying U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys. Large parts of it were built on the former right-of-way of the Overseas Railroad, the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Completed in 1912, the Overseas Railroad was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The Florida East Coast Railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections, so the roadbed and remaining bridges were sold to the state of Florida for $640,000.
Since the 1950s, the Overseas Highway has been refurbished into a main coastal highway between the cities of Miami and Key West, offering travelers an exotic roadway through a tropical savanna environment and access to the largest area of coral reefs on the U.S. mainland. The views while driving are stunning. Some of the old sections have been refurbished for walking and fishing. We saw lots of rays, like this spotted eagle ray from the bridge.
Fishing on Marathon Key
Although we could have fished just about anywhere, we wanted to get on the water and fish from a boat. We mostly caught Yellowtail snapper and Squirrelfish. Both were very tasty. The Squirrelfish was firm, not very flakey, with a light taste. The Yellowtail snapper was flakey with a nice light taste, perfect to take on whatever seasoning and method of cooking was done.
Key West
Ok, definitely much more crowded since I last visited. Really…..pay parking, traffic jams, lines, cruise ships, and souvenirs every other store, feels like downtown San Diego, but the Key Lime Pie is amazing! There are also some beautiful boutique clothing shops! We stopped by Sloppy Joe’s for Key Lime pie.
Sloppy Joe’s was founded in 1933. Ernest Hemingway was a patron. The original location at the time Hemingway frequented Sloppy Joe’s is a few doors down to the west, just off Duval Street, and is now called “Captain Tony’s Saloon”.
The bar went through two name changes before settling on Sloppy Joe’s with the encouragement of Hemingway. The name was coined from the original Sloppy Joe’s bar in Old Havana, that sold both liquor and iced seafood. In the Cuban heat, the ice melted and patrons taunted the owner José (Joe) García Río that he ran a “sloppy” place.
Mallory Square
This is where everyone gathers to celebrate the Sunset…and all the cruise ships if a store owner.
Ernest Hemingway House
A must see if in Key West. Apparently, he collected 6 toed cats. We took the tour which was very informative about his life and loves.
This was Hemingway’s home in the 1930’s, although he retained title to the home until he died. Now it is a private, for-profit landmark/tourist attraction now populated by six- and seven-toed cats that are descendants of Hemingway’s cats.
Descendants of his original cats continue to live on the premises. In 2009, the cats became the subject of federal litigation after a museum visitor expressed concern about the cat’s welfare. United States Department of Agriculture investigators visited the museum and subsequently ordered the museum to take measures to tag the cats for identification and to shelter them…..classic person complaining to some government agency costing a lot of money, time, frustration…creating more rules and regulations, ugh.
It was in this house that Hemingway did some of his best work, including the short story classics “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” “To Have And Have Not”, and “Green Hills of Africa”.
We were told the best lobster roll was at the Conch Shack. Sandy agreed!
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
Amazing. Love seeing all the butterflies, plants, and birds. There are trees and a waterfall….and a large gift shop.
