{ glad you stopped by }
Lazy Lakes and Key West were good to me, but it’s time to go. On the way back I came across Bahia Honda State Park. I had read a review that called it the most beautiful state park in Florida, so I decided to stop and see for myself. If all of the campsites weren’t taken, I would have stayed the night. Instead, I took the pictures you see here and headed on, without knowing exactly where I would go next or where I would overnight.
Today I biked from Summerland Key to Key West, explored the area, and then rode back. This stretch of the Overseas Highway, as it’s called, is very bicycle friendly. For most of the distance, a separate side road was available for cyclists and pedestrians.
The wind was fierce. A strong tail wind on the way gave me illusions of grandeur. But I was put in my place on the way back by the headwind.
Enjoy the pictures.
I woke early this morning at 5 a.m. and drove from Pembroke Pines to Key Largo. I stopped at a Starbucks at mile marker 100 to work a few hours before driving to my campsite at Summerland Key. This is the campsite, overlooking Lazy Lake. This is the first time I have stayed at a campground on this trip. I have full hookups (electricity, water, and sewer) as well as wifi. Tomorrow I plan to bicycle the 20 miles to Key West and explore.
I’m heading down to the Keys tomorrow after I finish some work. It was hard to get a good camp spot for Friday and Saturday, but I found one for Thursday and Friday so I decided to take it. I hope to leave around 10 or 11 a.m. It’s 150 miles to where I’m staying – according to Google it’s a 3 hour drive. The campground is about 20 miles east of Key West.
The experiment continues. I don’t know how much I’ll like this way of living, but by the time I return to Birmingham on February 14th I should have a better idea. Today was a totally non-touristy day.
I worked remotely via wifi at the very comfortable Starkbucks in “The Shops at Pembroke Gardens.” Afterward, I prepared my lunch using the propane burner in the Roadtrek. I got a flu shot at a Wallgreens. Then I worked out at the Y you see in the picture. After a long, hot shower, I had a veggie-delight at the Subway inside the Y.
The most pleasant part of the day was meeting Carlos Gonzalez-Rosquet. He pointed out the best attractions in the area, along with interesting pieces of history that went with them. More on that later.
I don’t know where I’ll overnight tonight, but I have a couple of possibilities in mind. I don’t want to repeat a stay in the same place more often than every 4 or 5 nights.
I might get used to this stealth camping in the Roadtrek. I’ve slept at National Parks and National Forests, parked on the street, and in the parking lots of hotels, apartments, travel centers, hospitals, and various other establishments. Tonight it’s a Whole Foods Market near Ft. Lauderdale. I have the manager’s permission.
Goodbye Pensacola. Last night Andy Marr whipped up a wonderful veggie lasagna. Had a great ime with Terri Holley, Crystal Marr, Andy, and my new 3rd cousin Desmond. On to Miami / Ft. Lauderdale.
