Sightseeing Day

Today was the first day in a week that the  clouds didn't move out with the arrival of the sun.  It rained pretty hard during the night, and when we awoke this morning, the wind was blowing from the southeast and there were heavy clouds.

We decided to tie things down and take a day trip.  First over to Key West to see what was going on there.  As usual, lots of traffic and lots of people.  We drove out to the Truman Annex and Fort Zachery Taylor to see the beach.  At the gate we were informed by the nice security guard that we would have to pay the $7 entry fee to drive in and look at the beach.  We decided we didn't really need to see it that bad, but here is an aerial view according to their web site.

 We continued back to Duval Street and wound our way around some of the other more scenic streets in Old Town. 

After that we decided to head back up US-1 toward Marathon.  There were a couple of shops there that we wanted to check out.  And I always enjoy crossing the Seven Mile Bridge.   My question is: Why do people think the MUST pass on that bridge?  I was actually going 60 MPH...5MPH over the posted speed limit.  There was a line of cars in front and plenty behind.  Three different cars felt the need to get in front of me.  Of course they couldn't get any further ahead than the few cars in front of me, so at the first traffic signal in Marathon, I pulled up right behind them.  I guess I just don't understand.

Just north of Seven Mile Bridge is a quirky gift shop with a nautical islandy theme.  A lot of pottery, Sun art, and yes, PINK FLAMINGOS!  We have been looking for a pair to decorate our RV space wherever we are, so we stopped and bought a pair.

 

These are the cheap kind, pink plastic with metal rods for legs.  Very tacky and just what we had been looking for.

On the way back we took a right off of US-1 at Middle Torch Key.  This leads to a short causeway on Dorn Road that goes north for several miles on Big Torch Key.  This has to be one of the most isolated Keys in Florida with a paved road on it.  Very few houses in this area.  I'm not sure but it looks like the ones that are there are self sufficient with their own power and water cisterns.

Not too far from the end of the road we pass a "compound" carved into the mangroves and Live Oaks.  It contains a building that looks a bit like a Buddhist shrine, and a very interesting sign on a pole near the road.

In case you can't read it, it says "Watch for Children"  "They Taste Like Chicken"!