The Libators go Corner to Corner: Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park

We made it to the other corner! Our farthest point away from home was Dry Tortugas National Park. We chose to spend a week on Key West. It was so nice to park the trailer and not worry about moving it for a week. Plus, I have wanted to spend time here for years, and now I am here. We did something everyday, usually one local attraction and one local restaurant. This place is dense with stuff to see and do, and we didn't even scratch the surface, but I feel like we got a good feel for the place. We found ourselves on Key West for the last two days of the Fantasy Fest, which explains why it was so hard to make a reservation for a place to stay. It also made our first trip into town on Saturday difficult. Parking was hard to come by and expensive because they had many streets blocked off for the big parade and for street vendors (lots of body painting, clothing, and art). After everything wrapped up on Sunday, it was much easier and more to our liking.

US 1 to Key West. Spectacular.

I noticed this sign while we were leaving Miami.

Our first piece of Key Lime Pie was in Marathon as we drove through.

Our spot for the next week.

Leo's Campground had a nice (alligator free) pond.

I could eat at Croissants de France everyday (we tried).

It was within walking distance of the R-Pod.

Day one in Key West... Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

I did order a margarita.

The Key Lime Pie was pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Seemed like a typical Key West business, just a little bit naughty.

Every corner of town had something interesting going on.

End of the road.

Floats preparing for the big Fantasy Fest parade.

Chicken crossing the road.

The beach park.

Birds outside of the golf course fence.

Key West Botanical Garden.

Blue Heaven Restaurant.

Outdoor seating, live music, great food.

Blue Heaven is known for their Key Lime Meringue Pie.

We made it to a different breakfast spot: Moondog Cafe.

Moondog Cafe and Bakery.

They warn you at the Hemingway House.

The Hemingway House.

One of the most remote National Parks, Dry Tortugas.

It was a 2.5 hour boat ride to get here.

Our last sunset on Key West.

The Libators go Corner to Corner: Miami and the Everglades

It's been a long time since I was last in Miami, and I wanted to at least see the museum where I went for a work function, but that was unable to actually tour, Vizcaya. I also thought Russ would appreciate the food at Versailles, the Cuban restaurant. Those two things, plus Everglades National Park, were our only planned activities for the Miami stop. We camped at the Larry and Penny Thompson Campground, which is a park as well. It's on the outskirts of Miami to the west, even though it has a Miami address. It was a good choice, as it was quiet and dark, unlike places more in the center of things. It was also a quick trip out to the Everglades for our day in that park.

Everglades National Park: the river of grass

Lots of small lakes and ponds.

Air Plants.

Looking for lunch.

Manatees at the marina.

Everything was boggy... buggy.

The blue sky and clouds made for some lovely reflections.

Ibis. Or maybe a heron.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

The courtyard used to be open but the glass was put in to protect it from weather.

The main floor.

The stone shipwreck is a breakwater to protect the house from hurricanes.

Biscayne Bay.

Looking back at the house from the boat landing.

Side view of the house from an elevated garden folly.

Frog fountain.

Versailles Cuban Restaurant.

He couldn't decide on just one drink.

Everything was delicious.