The Keys-We blew out our flip flops

Before getting to the Keys, we stayed at a Harvest Host. If you are following our blog, you know that’s it's how we keep in budget. Harvest Host spots are free to stay, but suggest a small purchase that's not enforced. We stayed at https://www.accursiofarms.com in Homestead, Fl. Great pit stop before the Keys. As soon as we pulled in, a couple pulled in behind us and asked where they should park. We invited them in for a drink (2;30ish) and they stayed to eat and drink until 9:30pm. JW and Cory were full-timers. He was a 52 year old veteran from the Gulf War and she was a 46 year old paralegal still working on the road. When we stay at Harvest Hosts, we always meet very interesting people.

We hit the jackpot with the RV campsite (actually resort) we stayed at in the Keys. Way over our budget but well worth it. https://koa.com/campgrounds/sugarloaf-key

They were closed for 4 years after Hurricane Irma and everything was brand new and spotless. Beautiful pool area with bocce (Kathy beat Brad 21 to 8 woohoo), corn hole, hammock garden, cafe and bar.

Day 1 Friday We drove into Key West and shopped around Duval St. They had some really cool shops. Stopped at an outside bar with music and started our Key West lifestyle.

Day 2 Saturday

We went to the Southernmost Point and did the typical tourist photo. We drove through Mallory Square to see the sunset, but parking was nonexistent and there were too many clouds anyway. We finally found a parking spot near the Smokin Tuna Saloon. Had a couple drinks and walked to a Thai restaurant for dinner where we had the freshest sashimi.

Day 3 Sunday

You all know what we do on Sundays. 🏈. At least the game didn’t start until 4, so we had some time to go to Smather’s beach (there largest in the Keys) and soak in some rays. We decided to leave the car parked at the beach and drive our bikes to watch the Eagles game at the Sandbar Sports Bar and Grill. That didn’t start out so good, but it turned out to be fun and a good way for Kathy to get used to driving her bike in traffic. Here’s the bad. We take off on our bikes and about a quarter of the way we realize we forgot the bike lock. Go back, get the lock and take off again. After a 20 minute ride we get to the sports bar and what next, we forgot our wallet In the car. Yep, we had to drive back to get it but made it back to the bar at 4:05. Not too bad, even though we had to drive home in the dark. Another learning experience. The speed limits are 10 and 20 mph and the cars are very courteous to bikers.

Day 4 Monday

Kathy’s day to pick the agenda since she suffered through football on Sunday. First stop Bahia Honda State Park. Wow was that a beautiful intimate park.

Second stop, we went to Castaway restaurant in Marathon for lunch. JW and Cory (the couple we met at the Harvest Host) invited us to join them there on Sunday night but again you know what we do on Sundays. We enjoyed our sushi and glad they recommended it. Oh, and Brad got his Key Lime Pie fix. http://www.jonesn4sushi.com/Castaway/CASTAWAY_WATERFRONT.html

Third stop was Robbie’s https://www.robbies.com/ . Brad wanted to feed the Tarpon. They had shops, restaurant, water sport rentals and some stalking Pelicans. The Pelicans wanted the fish you tried to feed the Tarpon. Brad got a bit sentimental and added a dollar to the wall or maybe it was the Mojito,

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/b79b56_c72801c2ca904809ac578c6ce982a9b2/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Last stop was dinner at Tonio’s Seafood Shack and Tiki Bar https://www.toniostiki.com/ . And that’s a wrap for the day.

Last day

We decided to take advantage of the campsite since it was so awesome. We went food shopping to stock up for our next stop in Ochopee which is right outside of Everglades City. Good thing our fridge is residential size. We cook most of our meals so we stay in budget and stay healthy. Beside the fact that Brad is an awesome chef.

Next stop is the Everglades which Kathy is not at all that excited about. We'll let you know how that works out. Thanks for reading our blog.