Looking out from our hotel
Started out this morning very overcast and as you can see in the picture, there were storms out in the Atlantic. We had a quick breakfast and headed out to have another look at the inter-coastal waterway in daylight. The main road goes over the waterway via a draw bridge and as we watched from our balcony a tug pushing a barge came up and the bridge opened to let it through.
After the show we packed up the car and headed south – but not before a short delay setting up the in-car camera.
Art Deco building
We headed south along the main strip which joins Fort Lauderdale and Miami. There are rows and rows of hotels and highrise apartments all the way. As we got into Miami, we turned to “cruise” the main strip and watch all the “beautiful people” having their Sunday brekkie – with a range of Lamborghini’s, Mazerati’s etc lining the curb in front of all the Art Deco buildings – and with a few “vintage” American cars parked for show – with big “do not touch” signs on them.
At the end of the Miami Beach strip , we headed inland across the causeway into Miami proper – to more highrise.
7 Mile Bridge – New & Old
Just south of Miami, we hit very black clouds which had come on shore and we had torrential ran for about 15 minutes or so. It eventually stopped by which time we had reached the top of the “Overseas Highway” – highway 1 to Key West.
The start of Highway 1 heading north
We also hit the traffic coming in the opposite direction – and comprising THOUSANDS of motor bikes. I do not jest – this weekend was the “Key West Harley Poker Run” – apparently an annual event that attracts all the bikers. They have to stop at 5 checkpoints along the Keys and collect a card. At the end of the weekend, the biker that has the best poker hand is declared the winner.
We are just so glad they were coming back when we were heading down ! The traffic heading north was just wall to wall cars and bikes and as you would guess, wall to wall, police cars.
When we arrived in Key West, there were still hundreds of bikes around and all the pubs and bars lining the main street – Duval St – were full. Yesterday they had the street closed off completely.
Just a few of the Harley’s still in Key West
We arrived about 2pm and luckily our room was ready so after dropping our luggage we headed out for a walk around town. We walked Duval St part of the way but headed off to an adjoining street which was a bit quieter. This street took us to the house where Ernest Hemingway lived for many years and wrote a few of his books.
We found a nice place for a late lunch – the Grand Cafe – and sampled some of the local fair – Adrienne had Lump Crab cakes with Key Lime mayonaise and I had a Blackened Chicken sandwich. Liam devoured a plate of Shrimp!
It was a very convenient stop as the rain poured down outside again as we ate.
Private Beach at Pier House
After lunch we headed back to the hotel and Adrienne and I went for a swim at the private guest beach. The water was very warm and it was a very picturesque spot. (Liam kept the wifi working back in the room).
We then headed for a walk around the waters edge to check out Mallory Square. This is where the crowds gather to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. We were a bit early and there were not many people around at this stage – although a few seemed to be settling in at a couple of the bars along the boardwalk for the wait ! And given the weather so far in the day “sun” had not been on the weather map.
Sunset from Mallory Pier
But back in the room we noticed a few sun beams appear a little later so we went back again just after 7pm to a pretty good sunset show. The crowds had also come out in force along with a number of street performers plying their wares.
As the sun disappeared to applause from the gathered crowd, the performers took over and put on a show (for the tips afterward of course). We watched one guy who was quite a comedian as he did a bit of a juggling act on a ladder and a tall one wheeled bike he called his “suicicle”.
A bit of light entertainment enjoyed by the crowd
His show was quite good and the competition amongst the performers was pretty fierce in trying to attract the biggest crowd. This guy did quite well.
After his show we headed back to our hotel for a late dinner – the main attraction being Adrienne’s requirement to try “Key Lime Pie” – a local delicacy much like a lemon merangue pie. I think she was suitably impressed.
So the end of another day – Liam has conked out and fallen asleep and we won’t be far behind.
Tomorrow looks a busy day so it will be an early start back up Highway One to stop off at a few points we missed on the way down and then head onto the Everglades National Park.
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