Five Fingers Fifty States: Florida Keys

Going to the Florida Keys was on the list for a long time like kayaking on the coast of Maine. The trip wouldn't have been complete if I hadn't made it.

Key Activities:
Airboat ride in the Everglades (think Wild Kingdom)
Paddle through the mangroves.
Snorkel in the keys.
Walk Duvall Street.
Longboard on Key West.
Camp with the RV on the beach.
Watch the sunset and sunrise on the water.
Paddle board on the ocean.

Key Food:
Conch chowder
Cuban shredded beef
Key lime pie (frozen and chocolate covered)
Lobster salad
Blackened grouper
Fried plantains
Guacamole
Ceviche
Grilled Cuban steak
Cuban coffee

Key Thoughts:

The Keys are good for those who want tropical but not have to fly.

To many ex-New Yorkers who still drive like they are in NY. Bad tailgaters. Turn signals optional or better left on all the time. Why waste energy tuning them off when you have a 50% chance of being correct when you make a turn.

What can be developed has been. Driving on parts of the road you couldn't tell where you were with it looking like any other small town. Shopping malls and connivence stores. Sometimes it's hard to find the quiet spots. The state parks where the place to be or out on the water.

From mile zero in Key West the southern most spot on the continental US it's 3,500 miles to Seattle. It was a strange and interesting feeling sitting on the beach in Key West knowing that it was time to turn around. Like making the turn south from Maine. Not the end of the journey but it's time to go a different direction. Depending on which way the wind blows I'll be back here sometime, maybe soon. Stay tuned.