Roadtrip Series

A RETURN TRIP TO THE FLORIDA KEYS IS BACK ON THE BUCKET LIST.

Sportsman outlet in Islamorada, the marina and outdoor tiki bar/dining, two floors of shopping. A shark swims around dock pilings. The water is clear. Wear a hat, because trade winds blow and blow. It's magic.

In the store sits Ernest Hemingway’s “Pilar.” You board the replica boat and poke around. There's a typewriter in it. Wendy and I can’t stop talking about the Bass Pro Shops heading to Key West. We bought stuff, for sure.

At its core, Key West is history, the conch houses and architecture, the flavor of it. The North had captured the South's blockade-runners in Charlotte Harbor, for instance, auctioned their boats and crews in Key West. Housing stock from the late 19th century remains. A neighborhood tour seems smart, with enough time.

But Key West has adapted, presenting itself as loose and easy fun, the famous Duval Street strip lined in drinking and tourist shops. Absurdities in Minnesota or Kansas are nothing in Key West. It's freeing. Which has the hustlers standing out like weeds. Be aware and you're fine.

Ernest Hemingway's downtown mansion this night is closed, a private party within. It's certainly worth a visit.

It's up to you in Key West on what tickles your fancy. But research and ask around rather than showing up. There's too much going on to randomly hunt and peck.

Back At The Resort

We had visited Herbie's Bar & Chowder House in Marathon Saturday, a locals' hangout with great beer and food. And of course we had to visit Robbie's in Islamorada, watch kids scream dropping bait fish into the jaws of a lazy old tarpon.

We're on the road home Sunday morning. We had agreed that Fiesta Key

RV Resort & Marina is great for R&R, self-contained with a store and bait, laundry, a decent diner and bar. We had laughed as two boys fish the seawall, another kid catches snapper, dipping his four-hook line and producing as many fish in one catch. The two boys spill spoiled bait on one another, fake barfing. We laugh ourselves silly.

It is carefree and relaxing, what we wanted … and needed. Our only complaint at the resort is at the pool: kids on an otherwise peaceful Saturday, tradewinds bending the tall palms, run the apron and scream like cats, others dodging them. Maybe an occasional visit by management? Kids are kids, we tell ourselves. Grrrrr. Also remember the sun is intense in the Keys, so protect yourself.

We wander back north Sunday on the Overseas Highway. We're delaying Schmonday. Wendy rides shotgun. There's little talking, both inside our own heads. A return trip to the Florida Keys is on top of our bucket list, we agree crossing onto the mainland for the ride home.

This time, however, we've new plans. There's that much happening for the wandering pirates of the Overseas Highway. FCM

ROUNDUP:

Fiesta Key RV Resort & Marina rvonthego.com

Gilbert's Resort gilbertsresort.com

Coral Restoration FoundationTM coralrestoration.org

Bass Pro ShopsWide World Sportsman basspro.com

Florida Keys Sculpture Trail keysarts.com

Herbie's Bar & Chowder House herbiesbar.com

Robbie's Marina robbies.com

Key West cityofkeywest-fl.gov