When we were planning this winter trip and decided to head for Florida. I told Jim we gotta go to Key West. The planning would land us there for New Years. Now that just sounds like too much fun. They say the drive to Key West is one of the most unique.  110 miles, the Overseas Highway also is US1 has 42 bridges. The most famous bridge is the 7mile bridge. There are two bridges, the original built in 1909 to 1912 originally built for the railroad. A 1935 hurricane damaged the railroad. Refurbished for automobile use again the bridge was damaged in 1960 and a new one was built. Portions of the old bridge are used for fishing, running and cycling.

A lot of interesting sights on the way to the Keys. A very large lobster and huge Osprey nest on top of telephone poles and some poles set deliberately for them to nest on.

The next morning we hopped on the bikes and rode into town. This was going to be a great place to ride. It is the most efficient way to get around. We stopped for breakfast at the Six Toed Cafe. It’s name comes from the cats that are descendants of Hemmingway’s cat. One he got from a captain of a boat. Polydactyl is the trait that these cats have, 6 toes that looks like they have mittens.

Cruising around we rode to an area called Mallory Square. Street vendors and performers  are here, but the most impressive sight are the cruise ships.

A couple, Danny and Carol from Louisana are camped next to us. They invited us to go into town to listen to a particular band. We follow Danny all through the streets to get to SloppyJoe’s to watch The Doerfels. This band is awesome. There are 10 kids in this family. They all play however tonight there are 5 on stage. As they play you learn a little bit more about them. Originally from New York they moved to Key West and play all over the Key. I actually met their mom in the  restroom, after talking with her I gave her a hug. I love bass and to watch this  kid rock and roll on a bass was soo cool.

December 31st, New Year’s Eve .We are up and out the door to wander. Riding about 20 miles a day. We have found to get into the city we will ride the perimeter. It is easier than going up and down the streets. Duval which is the most famous street is nothing but stop and go. The real challenge is the pedestrians. Today we went to the Hemmingway house. One of the most famous incidents at the house. Earnest  was a corespondent during the Spainish American war, his boxing ring behind the house was replaced with a swimming pool by his second wife,  Pauline Pfeiffer. She found out about an affair he was having with a fellow war correspondent, Martha Gelhorn. The pool built in 1934 cost  a hefty $20,000.  When Hemmingway came home and found the pool, he supposedly flung a penny at her, ” Pauline, you’ve spent all but my last penny, so you might as well have that. She embedded in the concrete near the pool. By the way he divorced and married Martha.

We stop for lunch at the popular Sunset Bar and watched the boats go by.

Off for New Years in Key West. Again the bikes are the way to go. Carol, Danny, Jim  and I are headed to a Cuban Resturant. Wow, what great food! Tonight Duval street is blocked off to vehicles. At Sloppy Joe’s the have a Conch Drop, Pepe’s a Cigar Drop,  Burbons Pub a Stiletto drop with the Drag Queen “Sushi” sitting in it,  Sunset Pier a Lime Drop into a Martini Glass, and at the Schooners Wharf a Wench Drop. We chose to watch the Conch drop. We had about 2 hours and hung out in the Lazy Gecko by Sloppy’s. They tossed beads and the crowds gathered. Lots of people watching and drinking. Finally the new year is here. We wander back to the bikes and make our way home.

A few more shots of New Years on Duval street.

The first day of 2016!  Carol an d Danny let us use their kayaks. It was a tunnel going through the mangroves. We kept thinking something was going to drop down on us. We eventually got out into open water. Much to my surprise I really enjoyed it.

The next morning we wanted to see the end of the line for Highway 1. It really is a non descript place  compared to the southern most point. Which people dutifully stand in line to take their picture beside the massive bouy. Which incidentally really isn’t at the southern most point.

We bought these bouys to hang on the front of the fifth wheel so no one would run into the hitch.

Grilling again. Surprisingly  we have many meals at home.

It  rained last night and the road out of our camp sight has quite a bit of water in it. We drove over to a place for breakfast called Hogfish. Great place. Their sign says ” Great food, if you can find it.”  There are chickens all over Key West. there is a corny joke that starts  ” Why did the chicken cross the road ?” Well in Key West they are always crossing the road. Or hanging out by the local  bars. They always love to chill out at the beach.

One the things we’ve wanted to do is to able to pull the pups in a trailer. Jim went and bought a used trailer. Sure enough he is pulling the trailer. Starting out Doogie runs on his leash for a while,then when he wears out he will crawl into the trailer. It’s fun to have them going on adventures with us. Carol and Danny are on their way home. We have made our reservations for next year. Key West has been more fun than we thought. The weather did turn rainy and we were not able to take a snorkeling trip to Dry Tortugus. That will be on the list for next year.

Today we hit the road back up to Venice and the Myakka RV Resort. Up early we are entertained by a beautiful sunrise. Settled in at the Myakka RV Resort we are really comfortable here.

It’s Friday night, when we are home we join friends at the Rockfish Bar. While we are traveling we send them a photo where ever we are on Fridays . Tonight we are home relaxing. Gosh the time goes by fast. We are planning our trip over to Big Bend with a stop over in Galveston to join Mike and Judy for the Mardi Gras there. Also  we will be visiting home for a couple of days. In the meantime great sunsets and relaxing.

OMG! It’s Friday  again. A Photo op at the Myakka bar and grill. This time the gang at Rockfish sends a photo back. Miss you all. We see you at the end of the month.

December 9th finds us at a fish fry in Williston Florida.

We met several couples here. Again many who have been traveling for many years back to this RV Park. They is almost a town unto itself. The major form of transportation is golf carts. Most of them are decorated for the holidays. They will have a paradeatsome point. I looked for bike trails in the area and was happy to find many a available. We are not sure of the roads Here for  cycling so with maps printed up we are on our way to ride.

The first trail we ventured out on was the Nature Coast Trail. Tree covered and some prairie land. We road into a quaint little town called Trenton. We stopped at the Suwannee  Cafe and had a soda. Nex to it is an old building that housed a Coca Cola building from 1925. The Suwannee Valley quilt Shoppe is now there. There also is an old train depot in the same area. Down the road we stopped under some old trees covered in Spanish moss to eat a lunch we had packed.

Going back along the trail we decided to take another leg of it. This was cool. We crossed the Suwannee River by riding over an old Truss Bridge. This trail follows the old  Atlantic Coast Railway. Great day of riding with a little over 40 miles!

The next day we drive out to a city called Hawthorne. There we would set out to ride to the  University of Florida town Gainsville. What a pretty ride. A lot of these rail trail systems are tree covered. You ride through tunnels of tree limbs. Getting to Gainsville you knew you were in a university town. There is an energy the towns have. You can see it in the places and the people on the street.

December 14 is our last night in Williston and we decide to have Bar B Que  at “Bubbaque’s ” pretty darn good.  Tomorrow we drive to Venice Florida. Jim’s sister Shari and her husband Pat live there. Venice is close to our hearts. Jim’s mom and dad  bought a place there in 1986. Till his mom moved back close to family in Indiana our Christmas was always spent there. Can’t wait! The drive will be short 190 miles.

Today will be an easy drive. It is only 190 miles to the RV  Park we have reservations with. It is called Lake Myakka. We have stayed in a variety of RVparks. They are all different and unique. This one is like a small little village. Where we are across the road is the owner of the park, Sharon. Next door is her sister.