Giving Thanks in the Keys

sunset in the keys!

The Keys are our favorite Florida place, except for home, and were the best option for a long Thanksgiving weekend. We decided to explore some lower keys this time and settled on Long Key, just north of Marathon. Not much on Long Key - just the way we like it!  So off we went with bikes in the back, spices for cooking, and warm clothes because a big cold front arrived with us.

The trip down is always interesting to me. We typically take Tamiami Trail, highway 41, across the Everglades so we can stop at some parks to look around, and have lunch. This takes you through Big Cypress Preserve, past small Indian communities, the smallest post office I've ever seen Ochopee post office! 

tree twisted around coral rock at Oasis Park

How do they know where to cross?

We arrived to our cute hotel room on the beach and immediately waited for sunset!

happy me

happy Turk

not disappointed!

We arrived on Thanksgiving evening. Good thing we brought food because restaurants were either booked or closed. And of course there was that Covid thing going on.  

Next morning, I jumped out of bed, appreciated our view, and got out our bikes to explore south and see how many old bridge trails we could find. You can discover all kinds of things when you bike through the Keys. Its the slowness that lets you see.

view from porch

 

Cuban coffee anyone?

our trusty steeds

Teaching grandson how to use slingshot

Old Overseas Highway bridge, now a trail

Boat that originally brought Cuban immigrants

We bike about 20 miles round trip and our southbound destination ended up being Bongos Beer Garden on Grassy Key. In addition to the beer garden and restaurant, we found sail boarding lessons complete with harness attached to an overhead line, and art installations. Some of the more intriguing were a collection of boats that originated in Cuban and were used by migrants to make their way to Florida. These boats have become canvasses for local artists. 

alligator motif! 

unique sculpture

Sculpture base: Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter - MLK

large floating faces

hydropodic garden for restaurant

Explored the next day by car because of the winds. Traveled south with a stop at Crane Point Hammock museum and park. An interesting find with lots of trails, and a huge tortoise that was quite vocal! Driving past the old 7 mile bridge, on the new 7 mile bridge, highlighted how decrepid the old bridge is these days. Yes, I used to drive on that bridge to get to Key West in the early 80's!

trees growing on old 7 mile bridge

the huge and vocal tortoise

another stunning sunset at our beach

Next day was perfect for more outdoor activities.  We did  a bit of kayaking around Long Key since the winds were done and it was warming up.  We drove down to Bahia Honda Park and biked around the park and the bridges. I was fascinated by the old bridge - quite impressive for being built in 1912. It was replaced in 1972 because it was deteriorating, but is still standing today!

Old Bahia Honda bridge

Amused that it looks like 'TURK' behind building

island with structures looking wild

interesting view of old 7 mile bridge

happy fisherman on renovated bridge, sad fish

This is an inclusive sign at the park

Bahia Honda bridge is so interesting

since hurricane, cant walk on bridge, so am under!

notice the old water pipe snaking through the structure that brought water to the lower keys

Turk outdid himself with meals, including this breakfast of eggs and grilled leftovers  we ate on our porch!

what a breakfast!

Where else in the world can someone explore unique nature, check out these sites, enjoy those sunsets, eat wonderful fish, see innovative artwork, and have the option of just sitting on the beach/in the pool/in the ocean to do nothing!

probably wont see this sign elsewhere

found brewery at islamorada