A Sunset and the Dock, 11/05/2018

While staying here in the Keys, we have gotten into the habit of enjoying the sunset every night from Jolly Roger RV Park, where we are staying for the month. 

Tonight the dock provided a lovely post-sunset view, too.

Gorgeous!

Exploring Crane Point Hammock, 11/05/2018

About 10 miles south of our RV park is Crane Point Museum & Nature Center in Marathon, FL. In 1989, the non-profit organization, Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust, purchased Crane Point to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the area. This blocked the development of private homes and shopping malls here.

We began our visit at the Museum & Nature Center. 

The exhibits provide interesting info about the flora and fauna of the middle Keys. Below is an osprey (bird of prey), Key deer (a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer), great blue heron. as well as an extensive display about the coral reef in the Keys.

Next to the museum is a display of two large fish caught in the area suspended over  the “lagoon.”  You can purchase fish food ($3) to feed local fish in the water here (which we did). The first is a Mola Mola (aka Ocean Sunfish) that weighed 725 lbs, 9’ long, and was caught by hand! The second is a Goliath Grouper (450 lbs, over 6’) speared in 40’ of water. 

A canoe crafted from a single log is on display, too. They were used from the 17th to th 18th centuries by Native Americans in the Keys. 

We viewed the orientation film (9 minutes) about Crane Point while waiting for the guided tour to begin. 

A pair of African tortoises reside here (we have seen these before at an RV park in Galveston, TX). Not exactly sure what they are doing here, but they are interesting to see.

A tour in an open-air tram (seats 8) is offered and led by a volunteer. We learned about the biodiversity of the area as well as the cultural history of Crane Point with stops along the way. There is also an amphitheater where educational programs are held. 

I am fascinated by the strangler fig (aka banyan) trees. They begin life as an epiphyte on a host tree. Eventually, they extend roots to the ground and envelope the host tree, eventually “strangling” it. Also shown is a red mangrove (stilt-like roots) and a thatch palm with red fruit. The preserve is one of the las remaining thatch palm hammocks. 

Francis and Marian Crane purchased this property (hence the name, Crane Point) in 1949. They built the first modern home in the area that featured large windows, balconies, and overhangs. Hurricane Irma damaged the house that is now closed to visitors. Today, a caretaker lives in a portion of the house.

Expansive views of the Florida Bay can be seen from the house. 

The Wild Bird Center (established in 1995) rescue, rehab, and release injured birds. We saw numerous native birds (pelicans, gulls, osprey, etc.) here. 

The Adderley House is the oldest house in Monroe County (outside of Key West). Bahamian immigrant, George Adderley, built this house of tabby (made of burnt seashells) in the early 1900s. It was one of 5 houses built by immigrants escaping the economic crisis of the Bahamas in the late 1800s. About 30 people lived off the land, planted crops, and raised livestock in Adderley Village. 

Sponging was also an important revenue source for the residents of Adderley Village. George used to dock his boat on Rachel Creek near his home. 

Fragrant flowers and plants in the Butterfly Meadow attract butterflies, although we did not see any!

The Cracker House has exhibits of butterfly species, sea turtles and shells native to the area. The Florida cracker architecture is characterized by wood frame houses with metal roofs, raised floors, and large, wraparound porches. 

Admission is $14.95/adult; $12.95 senior (including tour). We enjoyed our visit to this dog-friendly preserve. The trail is a 1.5 mile loop and easily walked. For additional information, go to www.cranepoint.net.

Sun and Fun at Sombrero Beach, 11/04/2018

Sombrero Beach features beautiful sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean in Marathon. We had heard it was one of the nicest beaches in the Keys and leashed dogs are permitted. Yay!  It’s easy to find: turn south on Sombrero Beach Road (between K-Mart and Publix) in Marathon from the Overseas Highway, and continue to the end of the road where parking is available. 

It is one of the few coastal areas in the Keys that has no mangroves. Seagrass was in the ocean and along the shoreline, but this is a natural part of the ecosystem here.

There are 12 picnic areas or pavilions that can be reserved. All have picnic tables, and some have shade, grills, benches, and power. There are also volley ball courts, a playground, restrooms and showers. Additional details and reservation forms can be found here: wwwmarathon.fl.us/government/parks/city-parks-and-beaches. 

John always brings our beach umbrella to provide some shade (we both have had bouts with skin cancer). And, Sadie is always happy to be at the beach (but the sand in her coat is a disaster!). There were some jellyfish in the water, but, fortunately, no stings for us.

Exposed fossilized coral can be seen at the point. And a couple of lovely coves are perfect for wading and swimming. 

Several benches provide the perfect place to enjoy the views. These guys found this shaded spot by the water for their hammock. 

The beach was not too crowded; and, the park and parking here is free. 

The beach is a Loggerhead turtle nesting area between April and October. The females come ashore at night to lay their eggs in nests. Beach surveys are conducted daily to look for new turtle nests that become restricted areas (although only about 10% of the beach is closed during that season), until the hatchlings make their way to the water. 

This really is a fantastic place to enjoy the water and sunshine. We will definitely be back. 

Another Sunset in Paradise, 11/01/2018

The sunset views from our RV park on Grassy Key are stunning!

Halloween in Key West, 10/31/2018

Based on a recommendation from our daughter, we dressed up this Halloween as Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. Yes, I know exactly what you are thinking, are you crazy?

Well, the answer is, yes, sometimes we are. Definitely me, more so than my introverted husband. First, I snapped a photo of our doggie, Sadie, in her costume this year. At 8 years old, she does not like dress up as much as she used to...

Anyway, we donned our costumes (that we had picked up in Fort Lauderdale) and headed south to Key West. This time, we left Sadie at home in the RV. We parked on the street near Sloppy Joe’s where we got a bite to eat and some cocktails. Do you recognize me?

Due to the long drive to where we are staying, we arrived early and not that many people were dressed for Halloween. Yikes! But as the night wore on, we did see many more people in costumes. At Sloppy Joe’s we sat at a high-top table next to Hemingway’s “wall” and with a good view of Duval Street through the large open windows. It reminded me of bar in Ipanema Beach (Rio de Janeiro) that had similar windows. (I traveled to Brazil on business multiple times in the 1990s.)

We walked a few blocks to Mallory Square for the sunset. There is a street performer there with trained cats....quite a character, but well-trained felines! And Marilyn posed for a picture with the Cuban. 

After a quick stop to pose at the Marilyn statue, we headed to Willie T’s to hear some music.

Knowing we had a 1.5 hour drive home, we left Key West around 8 pm. When we reached the Seven Mile Bridge, we saw flashing lights ahead. Traffic came to a complete stand still. A serious accident involving a motorcycle had occurred on the bridge. Traffic was stopped in both directions (for about 1.5 hours) to allow a chopper to evacuate the injured from the bridge. 

The Overseas Highway is the ONLY road between Key West and Marathon, so we had no option but to wait. We were so thankful that we were not involved in the accident, but never obtained further information about those involved.

We have since learned that there are many head-on collisions on the Overseas Highway due to the many tourists that drink and drive while on vacation here. So, be extra careful when driving in the Keys!