End of the Road, and Then Some

At the end of December we finished over 9 weeks of working for Amazon with the thoughts: “We are glad to have the stamina to do this kind of work” and “We are thankful that we don’t have to do this kind of work to continue living like this.”  While working at Amazon, we needed an incentive to keep going and considered a short cruise or something similar.  Some magazine articles convinced us that the Florida Keys would be just the thing we were looking for so here we are.

First thing we learned is that most RV parking areas during this time of year are reserved about a year in advance.  Many places I called could have us come in during April or May, but not January or February.  We were able to find a 3-day spot on Marathon Key, about 45 miles from Key West.  We left Naples on Sunday, taking the older, slower, US highway #41, the Tamiami Trail, through the Big Cypress National Preserve and the edge of the Everglades. 

An alligator just resting

We were set up at our campground in Marathon by mid-afternoon with our lawn chairs overlooking a small channel into the Atlantic Ocean behind us, and the Gulf of Mexico across the road in front of us.  This park is full of friendly people who are here for the warm weather and fishing.  We were invited to a chili cookoff at the on-site Tiki bar and to a Super Bowl party at a nearby sunset lounge.  Instead, we stayed in and caught the football game on AM radio (there is no broadcast TV or cable here, and we no longer subscribe to Dish satellite service).

That's us in the middle, with neighbor's boat to the left

Our Backyard

Monday was our big sightseeing day.  We were up early to drive to the Key West airport.  Key West is at the end of US highway #1, but it is not the end of the Florida Keys.  A 10-passenger DeHaviland Otter seaplane took us to the least-visited National Park, the Dry Tortugas, see http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm  for more details.

Ready for TakeOff

We took a self-guided tour of Fort Jefferson and went snorkeling until the plane came back to return us to Key West.  Fort Jefferson was built and used but never completed.  The number of bricks used in this fort is incredible!  There are a few people who work here and live in this fort.  What a lonely/peaceful life - depending on your perspective.  No TV or Internet connectivity!

 

Looking Out, across Moat, toward Ferry boat

 

Time to head Home

 

Back in Key West, we walked a short ways before catching a ride on a tour trolley bus.  Key West seems to be very densely populated.  Lots of houses very close to each other with many beautiful plants and flowers - not a lot of lawn to mow. 

After a late lunch downtown, we finished the narrated tour and retuned to Marathon just after sunset.

Hemmingway's House

 

End (or Start) of US1

 

 

Most Popular Key West photo

 

Tuesday we stayed in Marathon, but kept on playing tourist by going through a T-shirt shop and touring the Sea Turtle Hospital, see http://www.turtlehospital.org/.  We saw many turtles and learned about how they work to get them healthy.  One of the most common ailments is called "bubble butt" caused by an air pocket under their shell which prevents the turtle from diving down to get food.  They ultimately starve if not treated.  Many turtles are treated with Metamucil and Beano to clean their intestines and eliminate bloating and weights are put on their shells to help them dive for food.  They are released once they get rid of the infection and can dive for their own food.   

It is for Real, one of three

OR with simulated patient

Recovery Room

We spent the afternoon enjoying the lawn chairs and the view from our back yard.  Tonight it's out for supper - no cooking on vacation!!  Guess the vacation will be over tomorrow - back to normal?!