Debbie & I rode down to the Florida Keys. Here are the photos...



 
About a third of the way down the Keys is Islamorada, where you'll find Keys Cycle, owned
and operated by Larry Lewis. Of course, we had to get a couple of Keys Cycle shirts, but if
you find yourself cruisin' the Keys and have a problem with your scoot, it's good to know Larry.


 
This photo of Larry (on bike) is from "The Horse" chopper magazine. Besides having great
parts and service departments, Keys Cycle also rents Harleys, so nobody has to go bikeless!
I should mention that Larry has posters, paraphenalia, tin H-D signs and all kinds of cool stuff.
Keys Cycle's at mile marker 82.5, Phone (toll free): 1-888-324-3162 Email: LbLkeys@aol.com



We stopped for a late lunch at The Cracked Conch, and liked it so much we thought we'd give
it a plug. The food was excellent and reasonably priced, and Nancy and Becca (above) were
just as nice as could be. The Cracked Conch features a full liquor bar and is open till midnight.
They even make their own key lime pie! Owned by Joe and Boyd and in business for 22 years,
you'll find it at mile marker 49.5 in Marathon Key.  Phone 305-743-CAFE www.conchcafe.com
  

Here's Debbie standing in front of a very typical view of one of 42 bridges along US1 in
the Keys. The only thing unique here is the height of the bridge, taller for ocean passage.


 
It would take months to see all of the many homes in all of the various keys. The one
in the background here is on a relatively small key, but as you can see is quite nice.


 
We were about thirty miles from Key West when I shot this sunset. Views like this
are common every night. Those are mangrove clumps scattered around in the water.


 
Here's our room at the Caribbean Village Motel, located six miles from Key West, and out of
the noise and crowds that are inescapable there. We were very happy with the room and the
price, and as you can see, parking was very secure! Also, there's a Circle K across the street.



After showering and changing duds, we headed for Duval Street in Key West, where all the
action is. We were surprised at how many people were there on a week night, but still happy
it was nothing like the crowds you'll find on winter weekends or the annual poker run.


 
This is a north view up Duval. Most of the buildings are made of wood and very
old, and the whole island has a charm and flavor like nowhere else in the world.


 
We stopped for a bite at Papa's Cafe where a solo Jamaican steel drum
player was playing tunes we've never heard attempted on a steel drum.


 
Next day:
Of course, no trip to the Keys is complete without getting your picture taken at
the Southernmost Point. As you can see, I'm starting to get pink; Deb's already
got her California tan happening, so the Florida sun's a walk in the park to her.


 
We decided to take the bike and go explore some of the Lower Keys. This was the second
road that just ended suddenly, but at least it stopped at the ocean, whereas the first one
dead-ended in the middle of the woods after a winding five mile journey through the trees.


 
This isn't anything special, just a palm tree by the ocean, but a nice picture anyway.


 
On our way back south to Key West, we stopped at Mangrove Mama's, a bigger-than-it-looks
bar and restaurant on Sugarloaf Key. The menu is varied, the food is good and the place is
quaint in that island sort of way. It's located at mile marker 20 and the number is 305-745-3030


 
Back in Key West, one of our stops was the Hemmingway House, unremarkable in itself (but
a very popular tourist attraction). These are two of the six-toed Hemmingway cats, snoozing.

Click here for Part II