Florida Keys - June 2022

The trip to Key West is 475 miles. There are over 67 keys in the archipelago.

The 100-mile drive from Key Largo to Key West is one of the most relaxing drives of all time. The scenery is magnificent and between the scenery and atmosphere, drivers seem be overcome and chilled by it all. Few places in America can one observe cars mostly doing the speed limit or even driving under it. On this drive, everyone is chilled and soaking up the atmosphere of the ever-changing Key’s scenery. Few are driving over the posted limit and those who are not by much.

Each island is unique. The bridges connecting them unique. In places, old bridges have been turned into fishing piers. In others, they are part of a walking and bike trail. In one case only a part of the bridge has been refurbished and it leads to a little island which has a restaurant.

The first afternoon in Key West we lunch at Waterfront Brewery. It has decent pub food and craft beer. We decide on Cuban cuisine for dinner dining at El Siboney which is excellent. 

A popular gathering place with good views is Sunset Pier.

Dinner our second day is at Santiago's Bodega. This is a tapas restaurant with great food and an even more impressive selection of wines by the glass. We share 8 glasses of wine from around the world; all excellent!

We wished we could have gone to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson but one must book significantly in advance and this was a spare of the moment get away.

We drove to the Keys through Orlando and Miami. We return through the Everglades across the Tamiami Trail. Unfortunately, we do not have time to stop for tours.

With an overnight in Ft. Meyers, we return on US 19 through St. Petersburg and Crystal River.