Saturday
We left Sanibel around 9:30 am. We had reservations in Key Largo for tonight. I wanted to checkout the bird sanctuary, Corkscrew Sanctuary, before you get to Naples. It is located 15 miles off of I-75. We did not go through the sanctuary but good to know where it is located. Painted Buntings are supposed to be abundant here so we will return. We took the back roads to I-75 through Immokalee then turned on US 27. We struggled finding a place to eat lunch., but finally, found a deli type restaurant called Panna. As we parked, the skies opened up and it absolutely poured rain and were soaking by the time we entered the restaurant. We both ordered paninis and they were good. The rain followed us most of the way until we hit Highway 1. The aqua median on Highway 1 was interesting. Right after we checked into the Hampton, it started raining again. Bummer. Our hotel room was nothing special but nice. We walked down to the beach, hoping to get a drink at the beach bar that was under cover but all the chairs were taken around the bar. So, we headed out in the car and stopped at the Key Largo Marina where we had drinks at Skippers Dockside. The boat used in the movie "African Queen" is docked here and we saw it as it came into the canal. Also, the boat tied up next to the bar was flying a Texas A&M flag. Hard to escape the Aggies!
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| Boat from African Queen |
After drinks we went to a liquor store and then Publix to buy refreshments for the next few days. After returning to the motel, we researched our dinner options and decided on Mrs. Mac's Kitchen. It was a good choice. We shared conch fritters for starters and I had grilled shrimp and Greg had mutton snapper. While my shrimp was very good, Greg's snapper was awesome.
Sunday
We had breakfast in the hotel. It was very busy and finding a seat was not easy. Our breakfast excitement was an apple falling from the pyramid of apples sitting on the table straight into my glass of OJ. A perfect landing, splashing OJ everywhere. If it had fallen a fraction of an inch in either direction it would have gone from a splashy mess to a disaster. We had a good laugh. After checking out, we began our drizzly drive to Key West. In Islamorado we stopped at Bass Pro Shop's World Wide Sportsman where we made a few purchases. okay a lot of purchases.
At Ramrod Key, we stopped for a late lunch snack and a Bloody Mary at Boondock's Grill and Draft House. We sat outside where they had 8 football games going on the TV's. At Mile Marker 50, we went in search of Sombrero Beach. It is hailed as the best beach in the Keys. It was narrow but fairly long. The area was well developed with nice bathroom facilities. and it was a pretty beach.
We arrived at our B&B around 2:30 and was able to check-in. Azul Key West is located on Truman, not far from Duval Street. Our room is on the 2nd floor which surprised us because we had booked a poolside King room. We do overlook the pool but not on the ground level. Room is fairly large with a very small bathroom. Room during the day was fine, not so much at night. The blinds on the 4 large windows did not keep out light and the drapes are simple white, thin sheers. Outside is lighted like an armory and the noise from the street was very loud. A private conversation from anyone outside could be heard in the room. The heavy road traffic was very loud even though our room did not face the road. Last complaint, the AC cycled on and off every minute or less very loudly the first night. Sleep did not come easily. The positives, Tippi, who checked us in was very friendly and helpful. She marked our map with restaurants she suggested and places we were interested in seeing. Breakfast was light but good every morning.
After settling into the room, we headed off to Hemingway's Home. Admission was $14 each and included a guided tour.
We walked back to our room and had drinks sitting outside on the deck. It was not raining but very cloudy so no sunset opportunities. After our drinks and a bit of rest we headed in search of the restaurant that Tippi suggested. El Siboney serves Cuban food. We both ordered grouper fillets. Fish was very good but it tasted more like snapper than grouper. Didn't complain because it was very fresh and good but don't think we got grouper! We walked back to our room and sat outside until it started raining on us. It rained most of the night.
Monday
We went down to breakfast a little after 8. Since it was raining, there wasn't enough places to eat inside. Tippi brought more chairs out and we sat around a low coffee table. We went back to our room, waiting for the rain to stop. Rain finally stopped and we headed out around 11:30. We parked the car in the parking lot with the Westin hotel. Cost was $4 per hour or a max of $36 a day. We walked through Mallory Square,
saw the Carnival Triumph in port and visited the tourist shops. Stopped for lunch and a Bloody Mary at Sloppy Joe's.
After lunch we toured the Truman White House.
More stores to visit including Margaritaville
and an art gallery where we bought a Key West print, then stopped for drinks at the Flying Monkey based on recommendation by Lindsay Hatter. We both had a Piña Colado. We then headed to Mallory Square to find a spot to watch the sunset. No green flash but a nice sunset.
Dinner tonight was at the Conch Republic Seafood Company which was located by the harbor. No waiting to get in but the restaurant was very crowded. The food was good. We walked back to the parking garage and headed to the B&B.
Tuesday,
We slept better because the AC never shut off and the loud noise blocked out the road noise. Breakfast had the same offerings but again it was plenty and we were able to eat outside since it was not raining. We went back to the room and was about to head out and it started pouring. Luckily, it was an isolated shower and then we were off. First step was the southernmost marker, where we found a large crowd.
We were able to park very close, take a few pictures and head to Mile Marker 0. This photo op was not as crowded.
Again, we snagged a close parking space that wasn't metered. We left the car here for most of the day. We walked Duval Street, wandering into shops, stopping at Capt Tony's for Bloody Mary's,
and lunch at Onlywood Pizzeria, a hidden gem. They have great brick oven pizza. There was only one other couple eating and they said they said it was there third time to eat here this week. That says a lot. Our waiter was very friendly and it was a nice, relaxed lunch outside in a secluded area surrounded by large trees.
After lunch we headed back to the car and drove to Fort Jackson State Park. Cost was $7 to enter the park. We walked the beach and saw the Carnival Ecstasy leaving port.
We went through the fort
and then checked out Smather's Beach. This beach is on the Atlantic and was very windy but the beach was pretty.
We decided we had time to go to the aquarium. We parked in the same parking garage that we used yesterday. After the aquarium, we stopped for drinks on Mallory Square. The Carnival Dream was docked here and was leaving after sunset. We headed back to the room to get ready for dinner. We made reservations at Bagatelle's for 7:00 for our anniversary dinner. Even with reservations we were not seated outside when others who arrived after us were seated outside. Frustrating. Our waitress moved us outside when a table opened up, midway through dinner. We shared mussels for a starter. I had Ahi tuna and Greg had filet and lobster. Food was very, very good. By this time, the restaurant was mostly empty so we had one more drink and enjoyed the setting. After returning to our room, we sat by the pool for a bit then headed to our room. Nice way to celebrate our anniversary.
Wednesday
Breakfast downstairs and we were able to eat outside again. We packed, loaded up, and headed out. We stopped in Key Largo to get a magnet. The Shell Store was very nice and we ending up buying our Christmas cards, a couple of things for the kids for Christmas as well as our magnet. Enjoyed the setting at Skippers on Saturday, so we went back there for lunch. Had a nice relaxing lunch overlooking the water. Back on the road, heading to Ft Lauderdale to pick up Barbara. We got to the airport about an hour before the plane's arrival so we parked the car and went inside to wait. After Barbara's luggage came off the carousel we headed to The Boatyard Restaurant. We have eaten here twice before but it had been a few years. The restaurant had been remodeled, updated to a very upscale place with waterside seating. It was very busy with very important looking people, or at least people who thought they were important. We moved from our first table because it started raining and lost a good server. Food was good to just okay but very, very expensive and in the end service was weak. We arrived at the condo around 10:30 pm.
Other random pictures from the Keys:
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| Islamorado |
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| Lighthouse across from Hemingway House |
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| Conch Train |
