The Keys & The Everglades

From Miami we set off with Mary to the Florida Keys. Our first stop was in Key Largo where we sat and watched the pelicans as we caught up on the past couple of years. As soon as we arrived in the Keys we could feel a change in atmosphere – it was immediately several degrees more laid back and carefree, even more so than the rest of Florida which we already thought was fairly relaxed.

Marina Del Mar, Key Largo
Mural by Robert Wyland, who has painted enormous ‘Whaling Wall murals around the world to promote ocean conservation. This mural wraps around a four-story, four-sided building in Key Largo.

An image that is always conjured up when we think of the Florida keys is of the bridges that connect one key to another, in particular the famous Seven Mile Bridge, so we were pretty excited to spot it in the distance and then make the drive over it. The original bridge was an engineering feat spearheaded by businessman Henry Flagler in 1912. Flagler, who had already founded the Florida East Coast Railway, was determined to find a way for his trains to make the journey to Key West. In 1935 the great Labor Day Hurricane damaged the bridge and when it was rebuilt, it was only for the use of automobiles. The new bridge was opened in 1982.

The new Seven Mile Bridge, spanning from the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys, is actually 6.79 miles long
The original Seven Mile Bridge runs parallel to the new bridge and is now open to pedestrians and fishermen

So over the bridge Pearl took us and onto Key West. Key West is located at the southernmost end of US Route 1, the longest north–south road in America. It is also the southernmost city in the continental USA and on a clear day you can see Cuba from its shores. We loved Key West. The palm trees, the water, the hospitality and the shells and coconuts on sale on every street corner lend a very tropical air that does not take long to get used to. And the roaming roosters and chickens give the town an unexpected character unique to Key West.

Roosters are the iconic residents of Key West. Their inhabitance dates back to when their freedom was gained after cockfighting was made illegal. Roosters and chickens can be found wandering through the streets and in and out of cafes and restaurants.
Royal red shrimp and conch (pronounced ‘konk’) fritters
Stone crab claws
Strawberry tempura at Conch Republic
Tarpon – the Florida Keys are the capital of the world for tarpon fishing

We came across the Schooner America 2.0 in Conch Harbor Marina and jumped on for a two hour sunset sail around Key West. It was so pretty and we absolutely recommend this cruise to anyone who finds themselves in the south Florida Keys.

The 105ft/32m Schooner America 2.0 is a replica of the schooner yacht America of 1851, after which the famous America’s Cup race was named
Hoisting the sails

Our three days in the Keys was fantastic – thank you Mary for exploring with us and we can’t wait for the next time. Saying farewell to Mary we headed towards Everglades City on the southwest coast of Florida for a turn at alligator spotting.

Boarding an airboat we toured the Everglades marshland ecosystem covered in mangroves and grass. Flying at high speeds over the water was amazing and hats off to our captains James and Carl who expertly navigated their way through the mangroves and kept us in the boat at all times as we found our alligators.

Airboats lined up and ready for the day
Airboats from the back
Zipping through the mangroves
The root system of the red mangrove trees
Everglades sawgrass
White ibis
Blue heron blending in with the mangrove roots
Gliding through the swamp

Florida, we have enjoyed you so much, thank you! From St Augustine to the Everglades, we have enjoyed every second. We’ll be back one day but in the meantime, it’s off to New Orleans we go!

P&S