With a hotel booked in Key West, this was another day of commuting.  I made an attempt to visit Everglades National Park, but weather and timing worked against me.  So against my general policy of actually doing things before claiming the stamps, I just got the stamps and kept moving.

 

Gulf Coast Visitor Center – Everglades National Park.  Essentially the ‘water’ entrance to the park.   Best thing to do would be to take a boat tour.

Shark Valley Visitor Center – A paved route amongst the Everglades.  Tram tour or rent a bike.  Didn’t have time for either one.

Ernest Coe Visitor Center – Just outside Homestead, this is the beginning of the road toward the last one – Flamingo Visitor Center.  I had considered doing some hiking, but after talking with the ranger and how she mentioned most of the hikes were thick with mosquitos, I thought better of it.  As she put it, it’s not even repellent and clothes, there’s just so many that you inhale them and they get in your ears.   No thanks.  Plus it was raining – not my idea of fun.

Needed to get gas, so pulled over.  Next door was a Cuban bakery where I grabbed a Cuban Sandwich Special and a coffee.

Fortunately, things picked up on Highway 1 to Key West.   Still wearing half my rain gear, it wasn’t exactly pleasant, but the sun was out and it was a very nice change of pace.

Highway 1 before the Keys

On the bridge looking out at the old bridge?

Sunset in Key West!

 

After checking into the hotel, I walked over and down Duval St towards the docks for a bite to eat.

Key Lime Martini

 

White Clam Chili

Shrimp Salad

After the martini, I did want a slice of Key Lime pie.  But I was full enough that a walk was in order.  I made my way over to what Chowhound said was the best pie in Key West – Kelly’s Caribbean Grill

Havana Red Ale – brewed on premises.

Key Lime Pie with chocolate crust.  Not entirely traditional, but delicious.

Wandering back to the hotel along Duval Street made me realize how much better the music was in Memphis.  There was plenty of life acts – so a step above 6th St in Austin, but the music wasn’t really my style, so I called it an early night.