One of the best places to visit over in that "red state" and no longer
run by lil' brother are the Florida Keys. It's a breathtakingly scenic
drive due south along the Overseas Highway, a 100 mile stretch
between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Nothing but blue
skies, fluffy billowing cloud formations and blue waters as far as the
eye can see.
We started in Key Largo at Mile Marker 99.5. Before our final
destination we opted to visit Key attractions along the way. One of
them, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the only coral reef
on the continental U.S. provided the chance for a morning of
kayaking through Mangrove forests . Mangroves are trees native to
the southern coastal shore that thrive in the salty water conditions.
They have exposed root systems and look like as if they walk on
water. Various bird life feel safe to nest their young in their tree
limbs.
Florida's state park system defends a unique and delicate
ecosystem and it's the extraordinary preservation efforts that keep
the Keys protected from Florida loving land developers.
To keep track of your journey you can count descending mile
markers until you get to your ultimate destination at MM 0 in Key
West. But before that you'll pass through many a town with Key in
its name. We stopped in a place called Islamorada for a boat ride to
the off shore island Lignumvitae Keys but because of windy
conditions they canceled tours that day. Hurricane season officially
begins again after Memorial Day weekend and the locals have their
fingers crossed that it won't be the tropical onslaught of years past.
We flew through most of the Keys but pulled into Ann's Public
Beach, a cute little beach just roadside where people lay claim to
gazebo like shelters built along the boardwalk for barbecuing and
partying. We took a nature walk on the boardwalk where we spotted
blue claw crabs, cranes, pelicans and lots of exotic flora and fauna.
After the 6.8 mile crossing at the famous expanse, Seven Mile
Bridge, we pulled off to enjoy one of Florida's most beautiful
beaches at Bahia Honda, a 452 acre island. Sandspur Beach is rated
#5 because of it's pristine location, crystal blue waters and white
sand beaches. There's also a bird sanctuary trail, camping, bike
riding, ocean kayaking, wind surfing, parasailing, anyway you get
the picture.
We continued on key after key when we finally reached the end. Key
West is very tourist-y to say the least -- but a fun day it was. We ate
at Pepe's Cafe & Steakhouse, est. in 1909 by a Cuban fisherman and
the oldest restaurant on the island. The catch of the day Ð Mahi
mahi - fish sandwich was a winner and so was the prime rib steak
sandwich. After lunch, we walked Duval St, but it wasn't to do the
Duval Crawl, which requires that you stop in every bar along the
way for a drink. Instead we shopped and only stopped for drinks
when the buzz wore off.
A must for souvenir shopping is the Official Conch Republic Store,
whose lofty motto, "We seceded where others failed, " is legend.
The story goes in 1982, U.S. Border Patrol began searching cars
leaving the Keys for drugs and illegal immigrants. The roadblocks
caused massive traffic affecting tourism, so in true American
revolutionary spirit, the Conch Republic was born and seceded from
the U.S. in protest. It lasted one day and the republic surrendered
then requested a billion dollars in foreign aid. Since then the natives
refer to themselves as "conchs" pronounced "conks" and have had
to take up cause on 2 separate occasions or whenever U.S. policy
aims to tamper with the Key West lifestyle, which is laid-back and
free.
The last thing you want to do is check out Sunset Celebrations, the
official sunset at Mallory Square where crowds dance, drink,
applaud and worship the end of the day. Tourists and revelers alike
are everywhere enjoying the "one human family" spirit that makes
Key West, the southern most tip of the United States, a cool place to
visit.
If laid back is not what you are looking for and glamour and glitz is,
you belong in South Beach. Art Deco style, Latin flavors and Euro
sexy make up this city by the sea. You can find food and fashion a
la NYC on Lincoln Road, Architectural splendor on Ocean Drive and
Collins Ave and it all spells M-O-N-E-Y. For opulence up close we
visited, The Hotel Victor, next door to the Versace mansion, an
example of 1930Õs Art Deco influence with its elegance. It also
houses trendy restaurant with a jellyfish tank.
The ocean front hotels over looking the beach scream lifestyles of the rich and
famous. Since the season is over, we didn't see the obligatory
models or their wealthy suitors. For lunch, no glitzy restaurants
either, but they abound. Instead we tried, with no regrets, the arroz
con pollo at Cuban fast food joint, Pollo Tropical. Muy deliciouso!
Miami is a large metropolitan city comprised of lots of little towns
and neighborhoods. Coconut Grove, known simply as "the Grove" is
one of them, a charming village bordering Biscayne Bay where
yachts float in the harbor was a trip pleaser.
Known for it's artist's colony and the famed Coconut Grove
Playhouse, this neighborhood is a creative central with plenty of
street cafes, stylish boutiques and galleries. Sipping a sauvignon
blanc and noshing on Middle Eastern tapas at Coco's Cafe waiting
for friends, we people watched as the fashion forward, eccentrics
and families strolled by.
On the roads, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and
Bentleys rolled by in this equally posh area of the city. Coconut
Grove is a fun, relaxing alternative to the more flamboyant South
Beach where you can dine, shop, stroll and enjoy the natural beauty
of another hip neighborhood.
It's certainly obvious why South Florida remains one of the top ten
travel destinations in the U.S.
Until next time, felicidades!
