Key West adventure for the Don

No trip to the Keys would be complete without a sunset in Key West. From Parrot heads to Dead Heads and street performers to tall ships, you can see it all including the southern most point in the United States in Key West. After a good dinner we watched the sun set from Malory Square and headed for home.

Glass bottom boat at John Pennekamp State Park

One of the better glass bottom boats in the keys is at John Pennekamp State Park. With seas at just 2 feet, we picked the best day to enjoy the ride out to the reef. Molasses reef sits around 7 miles out from the marina and once there, you can sit on the edge of one of the two large pontoons that have a glass bottom, watching the reef just below the boat while the crew give you a detailed description of all you are seeing. With the light seas we had no issues with people getting sick and picking a mid week morning ride we had very few people. Just a great time with many good sightings including two turtles.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, 14 days remaining in the keys

Our last stay in the Keys is John Pennekamp State Park located in the upper Keys. This week Gary's brother Don joined us for a break from the MN winter, and a nice week it has been for him. On his first day we walked the campground showing him the marina area, beaches, visitor center and finally a walk through the grove to look for key limes, but no luck. Instead we have been enjoying what is now my favorite ice cream from Publics which is Key Lime pie!

The Lower Keys

Last night in the lower Keys. Bye, bye Bahia Honda

The best seat in the Keys

It's all about that bass.

While Curry Hammock is our favorite campground in the Keys, well, the bathroom facilities, not so much. It's not that they are bad or dirty, in fact, they are kept spotless by the best efforts of the volunteers, it's just that they are a little different.

In an interest to be Eco-friendly the state put in a recycling system. What does that mean? I am not completely sure but no chemicals or excess water are involved. All this is done below the structure which sits some 16 feet off the ground. This also makes this the highest spot in the park, with the best views for sunset photos The toilets are similar to vault toilets, no flushing just a good drop, plop and you close the lid, fast, so nothing can fly out. Remember this is Florida and keeping the place open keeps the air flowing, and gives the bugs, lizards and other interested parties a home for the night. And on the days when there is a breeze, you can feel it across your bottom. On a good day, they really do not smell but this year, which has been a bit hotter than past years, it has had an smell at times, not the best smell but not as bad as the conventional vault toilets either. Live and learn, that's what I say and Curry hammock is a great place to stay