We have the continental breakfast at the condo, and then decide to get on the way. Chris wants to stop at a store and get some sandals, so we make a stop and shop. It is about 9:30 when we get to the shop. We do a bit of shopping and 3 of the 4 of us came out with new shoes...and I wasn't one of them. Just want to make sure you understand that...LOL
Back on the road, and checking out the Keys as we ride. We are getting pretty close to the 7 mile bridge, and the traffic comes to a complete stop. We sit there for quite a while, and the only reason the line is moving is because most of the people in front of us are turning around and heading back the way they came. Well, you know we are on an island, and I am pretty sure that there isn't another way to get over there, so we do a u turn ourselves, and pull into a cute little hot dog stand. It is now about 11:30 and might as well make good of the time we are stopped....so we eat....Great little dog, I might add. We had heard that there was a wreck on the bridge, and it is going to be awhile so we just sit under the umbrellas and watch the bikes and cars sit as well. We see ambulance, fire trucks, and more ambulance go by. One of the locals come by and tells us that a guy hit the bridge on his bike, and they med-flighted him....and someone on the other side was rubber-necking and they had an accident. Wow, what a mess. Seems that 2 people lost their lives this morning. The wind is really strong, and I am not sure if that had anything to do with the biker or not, but I know when you are on the bridges, it is really whipping you around. The line finally starts to move again. We get back on the bikes after about a 2 hour delay, and head on down to Key West. I really thought with all the backup of traffic we would just be a steady stream of vehicles and bikes. Guess there are actually people that live and have jobs on this little remote part of the world. Seems that everyone had a purpose, and they were going on about their daily duties. Us, we are on vacation :)
We make it Key West. Remember I said it was Spring Break....well, we found all the people. The main road in (Hwy 1) is under construction, and it is pretty slow go until we make a wrong turn and have to do the ole U turn. Wasn't bad, and we got to sight see as we turned. One thing about it, when you have no idea where you are going, it is just another turn in the road. :) Thank goodness our leader and my trusty rider of the bike knows where he is going. So glad for Lupi our little GPS. She gets a bit confused at times, but that's OK, we can deal with her.
We ride down some small narrow streets that are packed with cars and people. The quaint houses are beautiful. Not big, but lots of gingerbread and color on them. Just like you would think you should see on an island. As we make our way to an area to park, the streets are absolutely swarming with people. As we pull up to a stop sign, this gentleman ask Chuck if our bike is a Goldwing. Chuck says yes, and the guy says "handsome".....well, little did he know, but he got that gender thing all wrong, cause this is Miss Snow!!! LOL....
We park, and first think I see if a beautiful rooster. I had read about the chickens that lived on the island, but I had no idea. They really do just live freely here. They are everywhere. There are panhandlers that are sitting around, and the chickens and roosters with their little ones, are just hanging out with them. What a site.
Found out there isn't a sign that says end of Hwy.1...seems they kept getting stolen, so they just don't put them up anymore. We do so tourist shopping, and see the same ole stuff. We did score a piece of Key Lime Pie...It was Key Lime Pie on a Stick no doubt. It was Divine.
Diana & I popped in a jewelry store and got a bead for our bracelets. It is a round bead, and has a mile 0 dangling from it. Will always have fond memories of this trip.
We stumble upon the oldest house in Key West. We walk back and check out the grounds. It was really pretty, and they seem to have their own resident Rooster. He even struck a pose and allowed me to take his picture.
Time to head back towards the parking area. We walk to the ocean side of the shops on the way back, and there is a cruise ship docked in the area. I am sure that is another reason there are so many people around here. Heck, they rode a ship to the island, and we rode a motorcycle. Think that is pretty cool.
You know us, it is time to eat, as our little bitty hot dog from earlier today is wearing thin. There is a Cuban restaurant right by the parking area, so we stop in and grab something to eat. They were closing the restaurant down at 3pm for a party, and it was about 2:30 when we got there. We ended up ordering some nachos. Never had nachos quite like this. The chips are more like bread. Very, very good. The place was called El Meson De Pepe, if you ever get down that way. I felt like we had gone the other 90 miles and ended up in Cuba...:)
Back on the bikes with about 2 minutes to spare on our paid parking, we attempt to find our way to the southern most point of the USA. We pass the old Court House that is under renovations. There is this monster tree in front lawn. They even have a large plaque telling about it. It was a Kapok Tree. Wikipedia (Kapok Tree)
The most gnarly tree I have ever seen. Very pretty, and I am sure when it has leaves, it is beautiful.
Following the people that seem to know where they are going, we make our way to the farthest point marker. Oh my, there is a line of people waiting to get their pictures taken. We are very lucky and find a parking spot very close. Off the bikes and in line to get our pics. I took a picture for the couple that was in front of us. Diana got the guy behind her to take our pics. Very nice people....the ones in line anyway. I don't understand people. If there is a line, why do you think you are better than any of us, and just butt in and take your picture.....not nice, not nice at all :)
Pictures are taken and we get back on the bikes, and come across a park. I had seen it on one of the maps I had looked at. It is across the street from their enclosed dog park. We stop at Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach. Had to stop so Chris could stick his feet in the water. The water has been rough and there is a rip tide warning in effect, so to say the least, it is quite churned up. A sweet lady that was tending to her dog, came over and ask if we would like a picture of the four of us. Thought that was very nice of her. Appreciated it very much. The clouds are starting to move in and the wind has actually calmed down some. Time to stop for gas and Diana & I went in to get something to drink. There was some really good looking chicken that had just been fried up, and we make a decision to get some chicken and take back to the condo for dinner. The girl in line to pay, tells us that is really is good!!! That cinched it. We were having Deon's Chicken for dinner tonight.
We eat our chicken and have a few cocktails and enjoyed the rest of the evening....well, actually we ate, and had to do the dreaded packing up. We leave in the morning, and looks like the fun on this island is almost over.
The condo was really nice, although the pictures on the website show that you will be on the west side and get the sunset pictures. We were not that lucky, but other than that, I don't think a person could ask for much more. Enjoyed our home away from home for a couple of nights!
Goodnight world....on the road again tomorrow.
I thought Key West was really neat. Like I said before I love the beach. Anytime to see the water and sandy soil I'm happy. I didn't expect the keys to be that long and so little land. But I thought it was awesome and the water was so blue. It was cold so I didn't get in, but still loved looking at it.
ReplyDeleteGas station chicken was good! Ha!Ha!
To me this day was the best so far, miles and miles of ocean.