Day 5 Traveling to the Southernmost Point on a Two Lane Adventure – Friday 11/02/18

Day 2 of our Yankee RV Key West Fiesta Rally started with a Continental Breakfast at the campground, provided by Yankee RV.

Our breakfast was followed by a private Trolley Tour of Key West. The Trolley picked us up at campground and we began our tour. Since it was a private trolley ride, our driver, Pam, did not have to follow the standard trolley route.

At the end of Stock Island, we crossed Cow Key Channel, the channel that separates Stock Island from Key West. Once on Key West, we went over the Riviera Canal with the Red Mangroves and the salt ponds on the right. The Salt Ponds were constructed for the manufacturing of salt during the 1830s, the Key West Salt Ponds once covered a hundred acres of man-made shallow pans carved into the coral rock of the island. Suspended during the Civil War and abandoned several times, the commercial salt-making operation ended by 1906. Meacham Field, the first runway on Key West, was built atop the salt ponds in the 1920s, when Pan American Airlines began flying. It eventually became the Key West International Airport. Everyone thinks the Atlantic Ocean is on the left, but it is really the Straits of Florida.

Since we are just a few days after a special holiday in Key West. Pam, our Trolley driver, had to show us the locations of the great Halloween decorations.

Visitors to Key West’s Higgs Beach might not pay much attention to the small rectangle of beachfront fenced off from the rest and flanked by tall columns. If it wasn’t for our trolley driver, we would have missed it too. It is the only African refugee cemetery in the United States. The cemetery’s importance was recognized in 2012 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a nationally significant archaeological site.

The graves are the Africans who died in 1860 after being freed by the US Navy from three American-owned slave ships captured near the Cuban coast and brought to Key West for sanctuary. According to records kept by US Marshal Fernando Moreno in 1860, more than 1,400 African men, women and children were transported to Key West after being rescued from the slave vessels. Key West workers quickly built housing and a hospital for them. While most of the refugees were eventually returned to Africa, 295 died at Key West, most likely from illnesses resulting from the brutal conditions aboard the slave ships. They were buried in unmarked graves along the island’s southern shore.

Today, the cemetery is marked by a series of pedestals adorned with African Adinkra symbols and topped with engraved bronze plaques. A concrete base features a rendition of the slave trade’s maritime route, while a tile mural is inlaid into the platform riser and ornamental fencing encloses the site on three sides. These elements combine to reflect the cultures of the people buried in the cemetery and how they came to be so far from home.  

The current lighthouse opened in 1848 with a woman as its keeper, nearly unheard of during the 19^th century. In 1969, the US Coast Guard decommissioned the Key West Lighthouse since there was no longer a need for a full-time keeper due to technological advancements. Today, the sentinel of the sea stands as a museum dedicated to Key West’s maritime heritage and to the men and women who bravely kept the light burning through the threats of war and weather. We took the 88 steps to the top, last time we were in Key West.

US Route 1 ends or begins, depending on your perspective, at the intersection of Whitehead and Fleming Streets in Key West. It is a 2,369 miles to or from its northern terminus in Fort Kent, Maine.

The Tropic Cinema opened its doors in Old Town Key West in 2004. They wanted to bring quality movies to people who longed for something more than Hollywood blockbusters. What started as a small, two-screen nonprofit theater quickly expanded to a four-screen multiplex with state-of-the-art digital projection, an art gallery, extensive concessions, and a lounge. It boasts a modern Art Deco design to represent the best of both Old Hollywood and contemporary cinema.

The famous picture of Marilyn Monroe laughing as her skirt is blown up by the blast from a subway vent was shot on September 15th, 1954 filming The Seven Year Itch. The scene infuriated her husband, Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio, who felt it was exhibitionist and divorced her shortly after. You can find this Marilyn Monroe life-like statue in front of the Tropic Cinema.

Of course, I had to share the purple Artist’s house with you. It is a historic Victorian Guesthouse. The world famous Artist House is one of the most photographed houses in Key West and the former home of Robert the Doll. The Artist House has been operating as an island favorite since 1978. They are one of the oldest continually operating guest houses in Key West.

BO’s Fish Wagon includes a funky sticker covered truck outside the restaurant - which is a driftwood shack doling out fried fish, conch fritters & fast food. The owner, Buddy Owen, is something of a local legend, having started his operation more than 25 years ago out of a little wagon on Duval Street. Last year, Bobby Flay and his Food Network camera crew paid a visit.

Marine artists Wyland & Guy Harvey teamed up to repaint the faded Wyland mural on Key West’s former Waterfront Market, now home to a craft brewery. Wyland has painted many of these murals though out the world in hopes of raising awareness and appreciation of the ocean, this mural was number 52 of his more than 100 murals. This mural is known as Wyland’s Whaling Wall.

Schooner Wharf was originally located on the Schooner Diamante, the bar moved ashore, where the top shelf liquor was kept in the top drawer of a filing cabinet! The bar has evolved into a very special place over the years. It has expanded into a neighboring building and added a second-floor deck with a beautiful view of the classic yachts of Key West's Historic Seaport.

Voted Best Local's Bar six years in a row, the Schooner Wharf has been acclaimed in such diverse publications as the New York Times, and Aqua magazine, for its unique nautical decor, music and food, and open-air proximity to sweet ocean breezes. Fresh stone crab claws, peel-and-eat shrimp, fresh-shucked oysters, and, of course, conch chowder and fritters, are among the local seafood delicacies on the menu in the galley. Chicken wings, eight-ounce burgers, and juicy steak sandwiches are always on hand for the land-lubber.

The chickens, roosters and baby chicks are all protected on Key West and they are everywhere! But they are so cute!

In Mallory Square Marketplace, there are ample metal birds … but none of Maudine’s kin. She came from Key West and she was really hoping to see some of her family!

Since 1890, history has left its mark on the Truman Little White House. Initially, it served as the naval station’s command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. In 1946 the historic building first served as the winter White House of President Harry S. Truman and a site for the Cold War response by later presidents.

Today, the Truman Little White House is a public, living, Key West museum as well as a retreat and place of government business by our nation's leaders. We enjoyed an almost private tour with Maxine and one other guest … that is pretty private! Since it is still considered an active Presidential home, we were not allowed to take pictures inside. But, I will tell you that it has an awesome history and a well worth stop when you are here!

All around the Truman Little White House is private housing and the old Naval Annex that has been converted into condominiums. It was a quiet place to walk back toward Mallory Square and the Trolley depot for our ride back to the campground.

Originally home to the island’s customs office, postal service and district courts. This four-story architectural marvel was built to keep pace with the increasing population and wealth accumulating from Key West’s lucrative trade routes and maritime industries. The imposing structure is a tremendous example of Richardson Romanesque architecture which was typical for federal buildings projects near the end of the 19^th century.

Positioned adjacent to the US Naval base, the Custom House was the site of many significant historical events, most notably the inquiry into the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898. Today, “Old 91” has been fully restored and stands on the harbor as a national landmark, an award-winning museum and official headquarters of the Key West Art & Historical Society.

The trolley took us back to the campground and some of us re-grouped for an evening meal at Roostica, a wood-fired kitchen.

There were 12 of us that had a cozy meal at a long table. 

What a better way to get to know the other rally goers!

Some ordered the wood-fired pizza, salads, lasagna, calzone and chicken parmesan. 

All of it was delicious!

Day 4 Traveling to the Southernmost Point on a Two Lane Adventure – Thursday 11/01/18

We enjoyed a leisurely morning here at Boyd's Campground. We had coffee and breakfast on our patio. The neighbors were hanging around again, one Rooster even wanted breakfast at the neighbors table!

Day 1 of our Yankee RV Key West Fiesta Rally. Each caravan or rally begins with traditional root beer floats and introductions.

We have 12 rigs at the Key West Fiesta. There are several couples that have been on many Yankee Events and a few that are attending their first Yankee Rally. No matter, it will be a good time by all.

We enjoyed a Yankee dinner in Key West at Red Fish Blue Fish. It’s a seafood restaurant near Mallory Square in Key West. It is located just steps away from the cruise ship port, Duval Street, and Mallory Square. We are enjoying dinner before the sunset celebration!

We were offered three entrée choices: Jambalaya: Andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp sautéed with Cajun spices, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes then served over rice. Chicken Carbonara: Chopped chicken breast sautéed with smoked bacon, mushrooms, and linguine noodles in our creamy Parmesan sauce. Seared Shrimp & Scallop Combo: Seared diver sea scallops and gulf shrimp presented with our lime cilantro sauce with island rice & vegetable of the day. I had the combo, looks good … and it was good!

Our dessert was homemade Key Lime Pie. They say it is some of the best on the island! It was sweet and tangy, topped with whipped cream and fresh lime. Yum, yum, yum!

Then it was time for buskers, vendors and sunset at Mallory Square. Mallory Square is the community's social and commercial hub. Sunset has a variety buskers appearing nightly including jugglers, escape artists, musicians, magicians, tight rope walkers and other colorful acts. These unique street performers ensure that Sunset Celebration ranks high on the list of Key West tourist attractions. The acts vary in professionalism and range from traveling buskers who seasonally attend a circuit of fairs and festivals throughout the world to Key West locals who entertain at Sunset nightly. All Sunset performers have one thing in common, they work only for the tips they earn while doing their show.

Sunset is an awesome time of the day, especially at Mallory Square. 

Every exceptional sunset here at Mallory Square ends with a round of applause by the locals and visitors.

These tall sailing ships add to the pirate lore of Key West!

Day 3 Traveling to the Southernmost Point on a Two Lane Adventure – Wednesday 10/31/18

We had a leisurely morning at our overnight stop and departed the Boardwalk RV Resort a little before 10 am. We have been to Key West twice before, but it was on bus tours from Homestead and it was only for 1 day, each. There is way too much to see, for a 1 day visit.

Everyone thinks they want to embrace the laid-back Keys life... We do for a short time … so we decided to go on the Yankee RV Tours Rally to Key West. To begin the journey, we took the classic drive down the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, aka US 1. However, to embrace the true Key West lifestyle, you should drive it in a convertible, with the top down … we enjoyed it in our motorhome with the A/C off and the windows down!

The roughly 100 plus mile one-way route island-hops along the southern rim of the Everglades and Florida Bay from Key Largo south to Key West. Shops, stops and restaurants celebrate all things “Keys” … bright colors, boats, water sports, fresh-caught seafood, old-school roadside attractions, and unspoiled state and national parks.

Florida Keys Natural Marine Sanctuary. The first national marine sanctuary was established in 1975. Since then, the National Marine Sanctuary System has grown to include 13 sanctuaries and two marine national monuments. In 1990, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary became the ninth sanctuary to join the system, in response to concerns about the decline of the reef ecosystem in the area. Today, the sanctuary protects more than 2,900 square nautical miles of Florida Keys coastal and ocean waters. Warning signs about the fragile and finite nature of marine resources in the Florida Keys were present long before Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was established.

In 1960, to address the demise of coral reefs in the Keys, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established off Key Largo as the world’s first underwater park. Continued environmental degradation prompted the eventual designation of Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary in 1975 and Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary in 1981. Enjoy Key Largo’s natural beauty in the water at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the nation’s first undersea park. You can book a snorkeling tour to explore one of the park’s shallow, 15 feet deep, inner reefs. For deep water views without getting wet, take a glass-bottom boat tour to Molasses Reef.

Key Largo is the Gateway to the Florida Keys. "Sailin' away to Key Largo" might have been a little more difficult than the popular 1980's song suggested, especially prior to 1870. The island of Key Largo is one of the largest of the Florida Keys islands. Though originally inhabited by native tribes, Key Largo and the other islands were eventually overrun by Europeans. Though it is not known when Europeans first landed on any of the islands, explorer, Ponce de Leon made note of them in his logs. The name "keys" is believed to have originated from the Spanish word, cayo, meaning "small islands." Key Largo is also known as the diving capital of the world.

When you drive south across the Tavernier Creek Bridge you are officially in Islamorada.

Widely known among anglers as the “sportfishing capital of the world,” the village of Islamorada is made up of Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, and the offshore Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key state parks.

Try a slice of honest-to-goodness key lime pie at the Key Lime Pie Factory.

This guy reminded me of the big lobster we saw in Shediac, New Brunswick ... but this guy is much more scary!

The family-owned Theater of the Sea has been loving and caring for animals since 1946. It is a series of lagoons and lush, tropical gardens are home to dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish, sharks, stingrays, alligators, and birds. Their mission is to provide a wonderful home for animals while sharing them with visitors in up close and personal shows and interaction programs.

On Upper Matecumbe Key, we pulled into a picnic area, for a short break. On the way out of the picnic area, I spotted this guy on the side of the road, a green iguana. It is believed that the first green iguanas to find themselves in the Florida Keys were stowaways on several ships bringing fruit over from South America. As time went on their population grew with some added members introduced by owners who tired of their pets and thus released them into the wild.

The Turtle Hospital was first opened in 1986 and works to rehabilitate injured turtles, educate the public, assist in research aiding sea turtles, and support environmental legislation that promotes clean and safe water and beaches. If you are interested, you can schedule a behind-the-scenes tour of the Turtle Hospital to help support the facility’s sea turtle rehabilitation efforts.

On the drive from Islamorada south to the city of Marathon, you can stop at Long Key State Park.

Until 1912, boats provided the only method of travel among the islands.  An entrepreneur named Henry Morrison Flagler changed that.  He extended the Florida East Coast Railway all the way from Homestead to Key West, spanning 29 islands along the way. Most everyone said the project was impossible.  The loss of life was immense for the engineers and laborers who designed and built the tracks.  Flagler pushed on and by hiring freight steams to haul materials, and searching northern cities for laborers willing to work in sweltering swamps, the railroad continued. 

Henry Flagler rode victoriously into Key West on the first train in 1912.  The train was greeted by cheering crowds and represented the signs of a new economic era for the Florida Keys. In 1935, the great Labor Day hurricane struck the islands, destroying much of the Florida Keys, and Flaglers railroad.  In a three year period following, the Overseas Highway replaced the tracks. 

Seven Mile Bridge, the Keys’ most famous and longest bridge, links Marathon to the Lower Keys. Driving the east-west span delivers 360-degree water views. The Florida Strait to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west. It’s a sight normally reserved for boaters.

The crystalline green-blue waters are just an amazing sight. It makes you want to jump right into the water, as you cross the bridge.

Approaching Big Pine Key, the largest of the Lower Keys, be sure to slow down and follow posted speed limits. This is to protect the Lower Keys’ endangered key deer. I searched for a key deer, but never saw one. If you are traveling in a car, stop at the National Key Deer Refuge visitor’s center. The best wildlife viewing areas such as the Blue Hole and Watson/Mannillo Trails.

Stop at a roadside pull off and look through the mangrove trails and see tropical birds and other wild things.

By some measures, the Florida Keys have rebounded remarkably since Hurricane Irma struck 13 months ago as a Category 4 storm. However, effects of Hurricane Irma are still being felt in the Keys. 

The 75-acre Sunshine Key RV Resort & Marina on Ohio Key has reopened 100 sites. They hope to have all 400 sites ready for the arrival of the snowbirds. But the KOA campground on Sugarloaf Key isn’t expected to reopen until 2019.

We arrived on Stock Island and the first thing I see are these purple houses … gotta love that! 

We arrived and set up our home for the next 6 nights at Boyd’s Campground. 

These are our neighbors! I hope they don't keep us up at night!