We spent our last few days in a big pull-thru spot to give us space away from the trees to wash the rig, and as a minor road test to see if we had any towing issues...all is well so far.
2014-03 Goodbye to Jolly Roger and the Florida Keys
One last trip to the Dolphin Research Center, the mommas with new babies gave us one last good look, and others had discovered a new game of "you can't get me when I'm up on the platform!"
Our last sunset was a beauty. You could tell things were winding down as the sunset crowd had dwindled significantly. It was sad goodbyes all around; we hope to meet up with our friends down the road - many are up north where our paths may cross this summer or fall!
2014-03 Bahia Honda State Park
Our time to head north is drawing near...so we are trying to fit it a whole lot of stuff in a rapidly shrinking window of time. Besides tax returns, packing up and battening down, oil change / fuel filter / general maintenance on the truck, and testing the roadworthiness of the RV, we also have quite a few sights we have not seen yet here in the keys. Alas, we are not going to make it to Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park. About 70 miles west of Key West, it is an expensive ferry ride over and doesn't make sense unless we take the tent and spend a night over there - can't get to it this year.
However, just 22 miles south of us is the must-see Bahia Honda State Park with lovely sandy beach (on the Top 25 List for Beaches in the U.S.), camping, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling...including a snorkel trip out to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. The rail bridge also known as Flagler's Folly has a fascinating history. We did a ranger-led hike on their short "Silver Palm" trail and strolled through the waters of Sandspur Beach, did not snorkel because of 5ft visibility. Would be very willing to spend a season at this park!
However, just 22 miles south of us is the must-see Bahia Honda State Park with lovely sandy beach (on the Top 25 List for Beaches in the U.S.), camping, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling...including a snorkel trip out to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. The rail bridge also known as Flagler's Folly has a fascinating history. We did a ranger-led hike on their short "Silver Palm" trail and strolled through the waters of Sandspur Beach, did not snorkel because of 5ft visibility. Would be very willing to spend a season at this park!
 |
| Heading up to the bridge |
 |
| Walking through a seagrape tunnel, colorful and beautiful |
 |
| Blue turquois waters of the Atlantic |
 |
| On the bridge path |
 |
| The old bridge is no longer accessible (or safe) |
 |
| Looking back from the bridge to the beach, campground, and overseas hwy to the left |
 |
| Beautiful beach with very fragrant Sea Lavender |
 |
| Gary sporting his new "Bahia Honda" hat |
 |
| Rental Kayaks available |
 |
| The short hiking trail featuring endangered "Silver Palms" |
 |
| On Sandspur Beach |
 |
| The sea grapes are very colorful |
 |
| Boat entering harbor |
 |
| A couple of pelicans on the jetty, with fantastic RV sites in the background |
 |
| The bridge is very photogenic |
2014-03 A great visit with Suanne
 |
| At Mangrove Mike's Art Gallery |
 |
| Long Key State Park |
 |
| Portuguese Man 'o War Jelly Fish |
 |
| Kayaks for rent at Long Key State Park |
 |
| Tree roots at the Windley Key limestone quarry |
 |
| Beautiful bloom on a Geiger Tree |
 |
| Barbed Wire Cactus |
 |
| Wrapping right up the tree |
 |
| Amazing Mangroves |
 |
| Osprey nest |
 |
| Bougainvillea at the Dolphin Research Center |
 |
| The two momma dolphins working with trainers |
 |
| Sue and Gary checking out the big birds at the DRC |
 |
| Pea Fowl at the DRC |
 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)