The Southern Most Point

Back in September, before setting out for Maine, we made reservations for a spot near Key West, Florida. During the winter (which is considered "peak" season) the entire area gets reserved by campers up to a year in advance. Making it extremely expensive (averaging $100 a night) to spend time there. We made a list of resorts throughout the entire Southern Keys area. Most were already full, with several saying they could try to fit us into their last spot (not good).

We were looking for the perfect, exotic hideaway for a week over the Christmas holidays.

We ended up choosing a spot in Key Largo which is the northern most area of the Keys.

It was one of the only places left that had an ocean view. (on the gulf side) There was a lot of wildlife, pelicans, dolphins, sharks and the occasional

We enjoyed the time, but in the end, this was not the best trip we've taken. The spot was overpriced, our neighbors were not at all neighborly and the winter weather had taken a turn for the worse. (As most of the gulf coast states came to find out this year).

 * * *

My brother (Patrick) had reserved his spot on this trip even before we started full-timing. "Whenever you land in Key West let me know, I'll fly down and visit", he said.

We tried to plan around the weather,which is near impossible - as the weather patterns changed daily. Eventually we just had to go for it and take what came our way.

We snorkled and sailed in Key West. Sheila and I have been several times in the past (Honduras, Cabo and the Caymen's) but this was Pat's first time out.

 That evening in Key West was also New Years Eve, so the main road was blocked off and people wandered around everywhere.

 

We saw some traveling art, met MM and stopped into the infamous Sloppy Joes bar for some local music.

 Evidently the best part of this trip was the Key Lime pie! I say evidently, because I never got any. Pat and Sheila made sure of that : )

 * * *

Back at our spot at the Calusa Resort in Key Largo we decided to try out some paddle boarding. We had one of the local rental shops deliver a few boards and off we went.

(I had been wanting to try this for a while).
Our protected bay was perfect for learning, which really didn't take long to figure out.

 We had something happening almost every day...

...but there was still time left over to relax...

...and the sunsets were spectacular!

 * * *

One of the reasons we chose Key Largo instead of 2.5 hours further south in Key West, was the proximity to Miami's South Beach. We knew this would be an area we would spend some time in.

 

We went purely for the art deco architecture, which was pretty cool.

We shared a meal and strolled the beach.

 Bright neon color was the theme at night...can you say Miami Vice? : )

And of course there is the famous stair case.

I'll give you a minute to think about what movie scene was filmed at the top of these stairs...it was a very big movie.

 * * *

 

Great restaurants were everywhere in the Key's of course. We experienced quite a few.

The one above was on the beach and entertained us with music, shark feedings and fire jugglers...and they let us bring Rufus : )

 * * *

With that, I'll leave you with yet another piece of art. A practical one at that.

This kitchen knife holder caught our eye walking through downtown Key West.

(the movie was Scarface, the scene in the apartment at the top of those stairs, was the brutal - drug deal gone bad - chainsaw killing. Kind of a fun tie-in to the art right?)

...thanks for reading!