Monday 1/18/16

The last night camping in the Keys was the most unrestful. Extremely high winds rattled the tent all night. I think the clinking of metal zipper pulls are still ringing in my ears. We arose early just as planned and began tearing down camp, even without our morning coffee. The girls were troopers and each did their share of the work. Rolling bed rolls, packing tents, deflating kayaks, de-junking the van, and cleaning up the campsite.

I went to the campground office to let them know that we would be vacating our site this morning. They were super understanding and returned our prepaid cash back with no questions asked. We highly recommend Boyd’s Campground, if you plan to camp in Key West. It is pricier there, but it does include some nice amenities, like a heated swimming pool, large screen TV, camp store and boutique, super clean showers and restrooms, a game room, plenty of laundry facilities, and several scheduled activities.

Our really sweet neighbor, Huck, (that did not steal electricity, and turned off his radio at appropriate times) gave Sean a much appreciated hand in packing up our kayaks and bicycles. They tried to strap everything down especially tight since we were going across the white knuckle seven mile bridge in 30+ mph winds.

We traveled slow and steady till we were just too hungry to continue. Next stop on the map was the Grassy Key Outpost. The parking lot was packed which is always a good sign and inside was packed even tighter. Right as we walked in four spaces opened up at the bar. After a glance at the menu, I knew we made a great choice. Before too long, I was enjoying the best rib eye sandwich I’ve ever had.

We continued to crawl up Rt 1 till we reached Robbie’s at Islamorada. Several friends suggested that we stop here to feed the tarpon. For only $1 entrance fee to the dock and $3 for a bucket of fish, this was by far one of the most economical  and fun attractions. We were told that due to the cold weather, the fish were not as active as they usually are. They prefer the warm waters at the bottom of the ocean. But Sean and Ava still laid on the dock and fed as many as they could. Kyleigh, being a vegetarian, had no desire to hold a dead fish. When the bucket was empty we pushed onward till we were out of the Keys..

The entrance to Everglades National Park is only about 30-40 minutes north of the Keys. We followed the signs to Long Pine Camping area and found a vacant spot and started setting up camp in hopes to have everything up before dark. Sean and the girls put up the tents and I scavenged the area for firewood from wherever I could find. Our neighbor came over and offered us a fire log. We have found that the camping community where ever we go are just a super friendly bunch of people.

Before arriving, we did not make a trip to the grocery store to replenish provisions…well we did go to the dollar store last night, but that was for junk food to last us till we return to Tybee.  I told the girls, no more pit stop snacks, they just are not in the budget. The rest of the road trip junk had to come from this one trip to the dollar store…totaling twenty one dollars. Now I know this is a ton of junk and I hope we don’t eat it all before we’re home, but at least we won’t be spending and more money on junk. I did buy a 3 pack of cup of noodles. These combined with hot grilled cheese sandwiches tonight was the perfect way to end the day!

Kyleigh gave up early and once her bed was made, we never saw her again. Thankfully her rash has subsided, but the allergy still remains a mystery. She has been quite a trooper, since camping is not her favorite pastime.

Ava is our true outdoorsy one, she tended the fire till the three hour paper log was gone.

Sean was dozing off before me. Finally, he was able to relax. I think the stress of traveling in high winds with all our gear on top has taken its toll on him for the day.

We have no power, Internet or cell service in the Everglades so each of my posts will be delayed till we reach a connection again.

Good night all…