Ok, okay! I got grief for not keeping up my blog. I'm sorry. I couldn't tell if anyone was reading it or not. I couldn't write it from my iPhone. I couldn't find computers. I got tired of telling my tales. And on, and on, she moaned.
So where did I leave off? So I see that I really didn't write much about my experience of biking through the keys, did I. From Florida City, I took the Card Sound road out to Key Largo. The traffic was light and the shoulder skimpy, but by this time I was used to biking with little or no shoulder. I would make the cars go around me, by biking out into the lane. Whenever I stayed close to the white line, they seemed to think that we could go 3 abreast when there was an oncoming car...and it got really tight. When I stayed out in the lane, they had to wait until the oncoming car passed by before trying to get around me. It pissed off a lot of drivers, but made it safer for me.
I had heard about this restaurant that was right before the bridge to Key Largo, Alabama Jack's, I think. A funky outdoor bar/restaurant. But I hit there late morning, too early for lunch, so I just got some ice water and a bit of a rest. There were people there drinking and eating already. Their biggest frustration there was people feeding the birds, or worst yet, the birds just helping themselves. Yup, diving in and grabbing food right off the plates or out of peoples hands. I didn't get to view this particular acrobatic event, but there were a lot of signs up warning people not to feed the birds.
After a brief respite, I hopped back on to attack one of the Florida hills: a bridge! Where Card Sound road enters Key Largo is into a wildlife preserve so the roads were quiet and there was little traffic. The ocean was a beautiful sight and I pulled over just to enjoy the view. I have found biking is even too fast a way to travel. I have to watch the road for obstacles (nails, glass, truck tires, gravel, etc.), watch the road cars approaching from both directions, there's not much time for sightseeing. So whenever I really wanted to look at something, I stopped. I had to.
Card Sound Rd. hooked up with Route 1, the main highway down the keys, but the quiet continued for many more miles before I really hit the heavy traffic and the fun biking was over.
Now it turned in to your typical beach strip of malls and shops, and cars coming at me from all directions. I spotted a sign that said "Gyros" and decided to stop for lunch. Mmmm, pretty good gyro too. Or maybe I was just hungry. I asked a guy about the bike path I'd heard about and he
said it was that sidewalk on the other side of the road. Turned out there is quite a good bike path down through much of the keys. Problem is that it starts and stops and shifts from one side of the road to the other. I would often find myself biking along and look over to see that there was a bike path, but with no way to get over to it until the next intersection. How long has that been there and I didn't see it? And just when I managed to get over and get on it, it ended! And crossing Rte 1 was not an easy proposition with a loaded bike after I was stopped.
As I continued on that first day, I wondered what I was going to find for sleeping accommodations as the day wore on into evening. I found a place that had a large meadow-like space with a long driveway back to a couple of houses and boat launching area. I wandered back there, scoping out several places to camp near trees in this meadow-like space. The main house had no one home. I thought the smaller one probably was a rental unit so I did not approach them. I went back up the drive and stopped where I thought would be a good spot, and waited to see if anyone arrived before it got dark. Once it got dark, I was going to go ahead and set up my tent. A car came up the driveway. I chased the guy down and he said I should ask his in-laws that own the place and live in the smaller house. So I did. And they said, "Our neighbors will complain or we'd let you. We tried having camping here and they got all upset." So I had to move on. Oh, well. So much for asking permission. They never would have seen me after dark.
The next spot I found was in a wildlife preserve off the edge of the road, tucked back in the brambles. All the plants in Florida want to scratch and bite you. It's not a very friendly environment. Also, guess what, the keys are made of coral. You can't stake a tent on any of them. I didn't know that. My tent won't stand without staking. Good thing I had a little hammock with me. Not a hammock tent, no just an open hammock. Not too good for keeping the mosquitoes and no-see-ums off me, but at least it let me get horizontal for a few hours. Rough night, but I did manage to get some sleep.
That night was so cool, too, because my nephew, Skye, had a project for school he had to do where he had to interview someone about their life and he wanted to interview me. So we set
up a time for that evening when I'd be sure to be able to spend time answering his questions. So here I was sitting on a coral bank to some sort of water source (lake, pond, canal - I don't know), telling my life story. How cool is that? Too bad his presentation was going to be before I returned home so I wasn't going to be able to attend. Boo hoo.
Up at sunrise, and off for day 2 on the keys. And now I'm going to have to scratch my memory to figure out what I did on this day. Old age is hell, and the mind is the first thing to go. Same old, same old. Old business, small roads leading left and right to beach houses, mostly small and dusty and dated. Fabulous views of the water on both sides, usually when I crossed the bridges. And the color of the water was almost unnatural. So aqua that I thought it had to be dyed. I do recall...ah, yes now I know what I did this day. I sat on the beach. Anne's beach. On Islamorado Key. One thing I learned that I didn't know before (I used to ask my kids this question at the dinner table at night) was that there are few beaches on the Keys. Coral not sand. But someone had mentioned Anne's beach, so I stopped there. It was sandy with mounds of seaweed washed up and left at high tide. There was a boardwalk with platforms for shade and picnic tables. I plunked myself down near one of the platforms and the Cuban family there celebrating someone's birthday plied me with food and drink! Language was a barrier so I didn't learn much about them but it was fun watching them play and listening to them party and sing. I was working on my tan.
I wanted to find moments when I could put on a suit and get color on greater areas, eliminating the "farmer" tan I feared I was getting while biking. In fact to minimize the funny biker tan, I bought a string bikini top that I wore when I road. It also kept me the coolest while on the bike. I also pulled my bike shorts up from the bottom and down from the top to reduce the area unexposed and also create a greater cooling effect. "Biking hot pants!" I think I've got my million dollar idea.
While laying on the beach, I put together a plan for the evening. There was a state park, Long Key State Park, just 10 miles down the road and a quick call to them let me know I had a place to stay. I called them back and found out there was a restaurant just a half mile before there. This restaurant was one that I had read about it someone else's journal about biking the Keys and they loved the place, so I was psyched! I arrived when they were just opening for dinner and I had the place to myself. Find the outlet and sit down to charge my i's (iPod, iPhone). I should have just stuck with the salad bar, but I let the guy talk me in to pasta and I was not pleased with the sauce. The German Chocolate Cake was old, but the coffee tasted good. Oh, well, not everyone likes the same restaurants.
But what a treat Long Key State Park turned out to be. Primitive camping was on platforms on the beach. Much nicer than where the other campers were along side Rte 1. I was able to get my tent staked using sticks of wood jammed between the platform slats.
There was a roof over the platform and picnic tables on each one. And they were all connected by a boardwalk. We even could use the hot showers in the general camping area...and all for $7/night! Best deal on all of the Keys. I'd go back there in a NY minute. When I checked in, the ranger said there was another woman biker camping there. Marie was from Montreal and this was her 4th loaded tour. She'd biked across Canada, down the West coast, and done a loop tour through western states.
This trip she started in NJ on the same day I left home driving south. We may try to hook up to do a bike trip in Europe some day. She had been to Key West and was headed back to Miami to fly north. I gave her the tip of the Everglades Hostel.
In the morning, after packing my bike to take off, I said to myself "Why?" You're in no rush. This place is beautiful like your own deserted island. And you have it all to yourself. So I stayed. I rested, sunned, hiked the nature trail, biked to the store, and just enjoyed my island. Loved it.
This place and the Everglades Hostel in Florida City were my 2 favorite sites on the whole trip.
Ok, enough rest, keep biking to Key West. At this point I was about 65 miles away still. Two days. Remember, I was on vacation. No need to rush. Stop and smell the roses along the way.
Now let's see if I can remember anything significant about this day. Oh, yes... 7 Mile Bridge! This one had me a bit worried. My original plan was to bike up to the bridge and sleep at a nearby campground so that I could bike over the bridge first thing in the morning when it was cool and maybe the traffic was lighter. Well you know about best laid plans. I got there at about 3 pm in the heat of the day. Someone had mentioned to me that I should bike out on the old bridge to Pigeon Key and take a boat back. I wasn't sure what he meant. But I did see a sign about Pigeon Key, so I stopped in this train engine office/gift shop. The gig is they have a motor boat that will take you out to Pigeon Key and leave you to tour around, look at the museum, talk to the tour guide, and then bring you back. Last tour of the day was just leaving. Sure, what the heck. So for $11 I took this side trip.
Anything to avoid the 7 Mile Bridge. Larry and Susan run the shuttle service to Pigeon Key. They shuttle employees and guests back and forth to the island. This key is 2 miles out directly under the old bridge. The old bridge is under disrepair and has sections missing.
Many a biker bikes out thinking they can bike all the way on this old thing and get to Pigeon Key only to learn they have to turn around and bike back in to the wind and take the new bridge. There should be a sign. Pigeon Key is a very small speck of land where the workers lived while they were building the original bridge which carried the railroad to Key West. Built between 1909 and 1912.
Okay, no more dawdling...get biking over that bridge. Wow! what a view! Nice wide shoulders.
Not a bad ride at all. Let's see what we can find for a place to sleep tonight. Always a worry. Always a concern. I'd read about Big Pine Fishing Lodge and since Bahia Honda State Park was full (always full), I decided to try for the Lodge. I pulled in there about 6:30 pm. $41 to tent! What! Are you kidding me? Let me see the sites. Solid coral. I can't put a tent up here. No place to even swing the hammock. Nope. Not gonna stay. I'll bike on. In the back of my mind I'm thinking: to where? But gutsy girl, off I go. I even ponder the thought of biking all the way to Key West this night. About 30 more miles. Would be dark when I got in, but I know the hostel has room. Let's go for it. And then I bike through a village of Big Pine. Could I find a place here to camp? Behind some professional building? Nope, opens up to street behind.
No stealth place here. What about up this residential roads? Nothing there. Gotta be some place I can tuck in where my tent would go up (lawns are good for that) and no one would see me. Just as I decide to leave town and near the bridge to the next key, I see a brushy area off to the left with a gate across the road saying "No motorized vehicles". I'm not motorized. Let's see what's back there. Could I put my tent up in that sand? What about hang the hammock from those tall bushes? I'm out of view. Well, except for that guy in the boat who's watching me. I'm gonna stay here. I'm too tired to keep biking and this is as good as I'm gonna find tonight. Now where's my bug spray? These no-see-ums have painful bites. Did I leave it at last night's site? I can't find it. Oh my gosh! These bugs are going to eat me alive. Get my windshirt on. (It's nylon and quite sweaty, but they can't seem to bite through it.) Get the hammock up. Get in it. Oh their biting my legs. Get in the sleeping bag. There. Hot, sweaty, melting, but no bites. Now sleep, girl! Toss, turn, sleep, wake. Long night. Is that someone on a bicycle passing by? Who cares? Wish they'd turn off that bright light on that house over there. It's shining in my eyes. So close them. Ah, morning, finally. Get up, get dressed, slap the no-see-um's, get packed, get going. Oh, they're eating me alive. I can't pack fast enough. Get out of here!
Down to the gas station. Get some coffee. If you had a chair and some reading material, we could call this Starbucks. Oh, you do... that white plastic chair is for me? And a book about Jimmy Buffet. This will do. Do you mind if I sit here and enjoy my coffee? Thanks.
Key West here I come! The views! The water's so blue, the houses so colorful and bright, the flowers so full. I feel good!!! I arrived in Key West when this bike tour arrived. Stopped and chatted with them. They biked from Key Largo with support and staying at inns along the way. One night in Key West and they'll bike back to Key Largo. Poor guys. Into that wind won't be any fun. I like knowing that I'll be leaving Key West on the ferry in a couple of days and not have to bike back up the Keys into the wind.
First I need to find some sunglasses to replace the pair I lost at Big Pine Fishing Lodge. Then I need to find a bike store to replace the bike lock I left behind this morning packing up too fast and not checking the site well. Then, find the hostel. That's astro turf for grass under those tables in the hostel courtyard. How clever. Doesn't get worn down, I guess. The bunk rooms were rather prison like, but there's an outdoor kitchen and washer/dryer. But one bathroom to share amongst 5-6 women. This should be fun. Do laundry. Unload bike. Go for a ride around town. No helmet. Flip flops. Skirt and top. This is biking as it should be. What a cute town when I get on the back streets. A little lost at first, but eventually I figure things out. Southernmost monument. Mile zero. Duval Street. Mallory Square. (Have to come back here for sunset.) What's that cute eatery. Organic? Healthy? Outdoor seating. I like it. Liked it so much I ate all but one meal here over the 2 days. "Help Yourself" on the corner of Fleming and Margaret Sts. Mmmm good.
Must do Mallory Square at sunset.
There was this acrobat that could do 25 handstand pushups! Have to show that one to my guys at CrossFit! Lots of flame jugglers. And art vendors. But the sunset stole the show! Since I'm not a bar girl, it was home early to bed.
Next day I took in the Hemmingway house (and all the cats), the Mel Fisher Museum, and some shopping...not that I bought anything. But reading a local paper, I read that there was going to be a play opening at the Waterfront Theater that evening, so I decided to get tickets. "The Musical of Musicals, the Musical" was a very funny musical production spoofing the various musical directors of Broadway. And I finally met some people from Key West, which always the highlight of visiting any new place. In fact, the stage manager, Trish Manly, and I hit it off. She told me that she lived on a boat docked in the harbor, so I asked if I could come visit her the next day. Better than sightseeing to me. She said she wants to hike the Appalachian Trail some day and I told her I'd help in anyway I could.
So Thursday, my last day in Key West, I pedaled on over to Cow Key where Trish lived. Big sailboat. Glad we didn't take it out. No there's a pared down life style. 10 months in Key West, 2 months in MN. Hopefully we'll be able to put trip plans together for something. Kindred spirit she was. Now, a little beach time at Higgs Beach, visit Nancy's garden (a small spot of wildlife in the middle of Key West), pick up dinner at Help Yourself cafe, and get over to the ferry early.
What do you mean you want me take all my bags off my bike here? And haul them where? Can't I leave them on the bike to get them over there? It would make much more sense. Security scan at the ferry. Finally someone who's thinking intelligently. Thanks for helping guys. Not a fan of boats. Get seasick. Should I take something? Two tablets? No, I think I'll just take one. Don't want to be too sleepy. Just want to take the edge off. Hi Paul and Michelle. On your honeymoon, huh? You have a truck parked at Ft. Myer's Beach and could take me home to Sarasota tonight? Let me think about that. Hmmmm?????? Nope, not done with this bike trip. Really want to bike all the way back. But thanks anyways. Appreciate the offer.
Where do I go now that we've docked? Get my lights on: blinking red on the back, headlamp on my helmet. Pedal on back to Ft. Myers Beach. Take Martin LeBlanc up on his offer of staying at his homeowners association's gazebo on the beach. Only 4 miles away. Hot night. Don't think I'll put up my tent. Just lay out my pad and bag and settle in for a good night's sleep. Ahhh...what's that? Bright light. In my eyes. Sit up. Shake my head. What's going on? This is private property. I have the permission of one of the homeowners, Martin LeBlanc. I don't know that name. He doesn't live on our street. I just got off the ferry at 10 pm and needed a place to sleep til dawn and he said I could sleep here. I'll be gone at day break. Back to sleep. He goes and walks on the beach with his girlfriend. Walks back through gazebo. Shines light on my bike. Back to sleep...well, trying anyways. Sensitive to lights. More lights up by street. Sit up. Guys coming up sidewalk. 911 got a call that someone needed medical attention. No, I'm fine. A bit sleepy is all. Told my story. Said it was probably that guy who wasn't happy I was here. Ok, if you don't need medical attention we'll be on our way. So will I, 'cause I can't get any sleep here.
And that's how my longest mile day ever began. Start pedaling. How far back to Sarasota? 80 miles? Can I make it in one day? That's a long ways. Might as well try. Into afternoon. So hot when I stop biking. Smothered by the heat. Can't bike in sun for more than a couple of miles. Need shade. Cold drink. Rest. Cool down. Go for another couple of miles and rest again. On and off the bike all afternoon. So tired. Just rest here by this tree. Sleep against my bike. Ma'am. You okay? Will people never stop waking me up? Thank you officer. Appreciate the concern. Just resting. Getting enough liquids? Yup, plenty. (Found a good trick. I would stop at restaurants and have them pack my water bottles with ice and top them off with water. One bottle is a liter hiking bottle and I kept it stowed in my pannier where it would stay icy and chilled for hours.) Is that an ice cream place? If I get a break in traffic, I'm stopping. Otherwise, it's not meant to be. There's a break. Go for it. Root beer float. Taste so good. That will give me energy to finish this ride. On and on. Mile after mile. 5:30 pm. Call girlfriend. I don't know if I can make it. I'm so tired. My butt is numb. My crotch is raw. My legs are beat. A hot shower? A real bed? Sure beats camping in the bush another night. If you don't hear from me, I'm still pedaling. On to the Legacy Trail (rail to trail between Venice and Sarasota). I know I can make it now. Getting dark. I can bike in the dark. Put the lights on the bike. Keep pedaling. Streets of Sarasota. Can I remember how to get to Kim's house? Think I know. What's the odometer say? 99.26. I want to break 100 before I stop today. Take a bit longer loop as I get close to the house. There it is! CONGRATULATIONS banner across the driveway! 100.02 on the odometer. I did it! Over 100 miles, one day, 95* heat and humidity, loaded bike! One tough girl!
The ground out at Clear Creek was what I expected, not stake-friendly. And my tent requires stakes, 6 of them to stand up. But there were rocks aplenty. So that was what I used. Rocks and my bear line. But since I don't want to cut my bear line, that requires me to go from point to point making ties that aren't cut. Somehow it worked and my tent was standing...all night. 
