DearMissMermaid
Well-known member
We did finally make it to the Keys (in May) for 11 glorious nights. I left my RV on her own for the first time ever in 7.5 years. Also first time I haven't slept in my bunk in all that time too.
We loaded up my friend's Pleasure-Way van (Class B) with my dog, my bicycle, and his bicycle. After checking around the clock nonstop at state parks before our sudden trip, I finally cobbled together 11 nights in 3 spots in the same state park (John Pennenkamp in Key Largo). I was hoping to get us to other parks, but it just wasn't happening.
We were celebrating Don's 70th birthday. He had spent his teen years working in the Keys, then later spent most of his life on boats. He was thrilled that his favorite Restaurant in Marathon was still in business. They welcomed my little dog who sat under the table with his bowl of water patrolling for fallen scraps. He talked so much about being there in the past, they gave us discounts each time we stopped in.
The Keys are very bicycle friendly. We did lots of touring. Loading up the bikes on the back of the van was the hardest part of our trip. His bicycle is a recumbent and mine is a comfort bike that is longer than most bicycles. Both have big seats with seat backs. When we finally got it figured out, we took pictures so we could remember how to do it to come home again.
The 6 pound dog packed more than either of us. He took wet food, dry food, snacks, vests, poop bags, leashes, bed, pillow, blanket, towel, shampoo, food bowl, inside water bowl, outside water bowl, collapsible bicycle water bowl, bicycle basket, squeaky toy, bouncy toy, frisbee, teddy bear, bo-bo, tether, outdoor chair and rain coat. He had a blast because he toured on the bicycles with us. He was rarely left alone except when we swam at John Pennekamp which refused him entry on the beach.
Sadly the state parks are anti-dog on beaches, a super shame. We ended up driving the van to other beaches that were dog friendly and strangely not crowded or busy. At one we arrived first thing in the morning to secure parking and found a spot facing the ocean. We ran the generator all day. We swam and picnicked and hiked. There were restrooms and outside showers available, it was free to park. Don kept getting birthday phone calls. He was tickled to tell them we were parked at the beach celebrating all day long.
We toured Key West but declined the $20+ parking because it was so super hot that day, we didn't feel like walking much and we aren't much on shopping. Finally found a dog park across from a beach and parked there to enjoy the shade and let the pooch run wild. Met some delightful folks. Oddly most every where we went said NO RV parking, but the van was our only transportation. No one gave us any grief.
We managed to get out and hear a few bands, plus dine on the most awesome seafood enchiladas I have ever had. Don is a retired musician, so he was thrilled to be part of the audience for a change.
We toured quite a few RV parks but didn't find anything we liked, as they had cut down all the trees. We did love the Bahia Honda State Park, so next spring we have 14 night reserved in the same spot, so we won't have to shuffle around like this year.
Looked at some real estate and RV lots for sale and the prices are out of sight. Even looked at rentals and I wonder how and where the workers live! It must be hard for them to make ends meet or maybe they live 4 to a bedroom.
On a funny note, John Pennekamp State Park is directly across from the largest adult store I've ever seen. Also the Dollar Tree was super well stocked and doing a booming business. We were in bicycle range to the many stores including the grocery store, take-out foods, liquor store and bars.
We dined in some and ate out some. We picked out lots of places we would buy if we could. Tons of day dreaming! Even met up with a realtor looking at an empty lot.
On hot days I enjoyed traversing the overseas highway just drooling at the blue waters that remind me of home in the Caribbean.
I got a deep dark tan without even trying because of all the bicycle riding.
I had not seen the keys in ages, so this was one fun trip! We are returning next May for 2 weeks and thinking about just doing the van again, since that turned out to be loads of fun. We did take outside chairs, table, umbrella, hammocks, so we could spread out and not be indoors much. Even took my rocking chair and dog has to have a chair too. Easier so he doesn't get stepped on or tripped over.
Life is long, death is short.
Do it while you can!
Go now. Go small.
This is kind of a followup from last spring when I was trying to frantically find RV spots on short notice in the Keys.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,103490.0/topicseen.html
We loaded up my friend's Pleasure-Way van (Class B) with my dog, my bicycle, and his bicycle. After checking around the clock nonstop at state parks before our sudden trip, I finally cobbled together 11 nights in 3 spots in the same state park (John Pennenkamp in Key Largo). I was hoping to get us to other parks, but it just wasn't happening.
We were celebrating Don's 70th birthday. He had spent his teen years working in the Keys, then later spent most of his life on boats. He was thrilled that his favorite Restaurant in Marathon was still in business. They welcomed my little dog who sat under the table with his bowl of water patrolling for fallen scraps. He talked so much about being there in the past, they gave us discounts each time we stopped in.
The Keys are very bicycle friendly. We did lots of touring. Loading up the bikes on the back of the van was the hardest part of our trip. His bicycle is a recumbent and mine is a comfort bike that is longer than most bicycles. Both have big seats with seat backs. When we finally got it figured out, we took pictures so we could remember how to do it to come home again.
The 6 pound dog packed more than either of us. He took wet food, dry food, snacks, vests, poop bags, leashes, bed, pillow, blanket, towel, shampoo, food bowl, inside water bowl, outside water bowl, collapsible bicycle water bowl, bicycle basket, squeaky toy, bouncy toy, frisbee, teddy bear, bo-bo, tether, outdoor chair and rain coat. He had a blast because he toured on the bicycles with us. He was rarely left alone except when we swam at John Pennekamp which refused him entry on the beach.
Sadly the state parks are anti-dog on beaches, a super shame. We ended up driving the van to other beaches that were dog friendly and strangely not crowded or busy. At one we arrived first thing in the morning to secure parking and found a spot facing the ocean. We ran the generator all day. We swam and picnicked and hiked. There were restrooms and outside showers available, it was free to park. Don kept getting birthday phone calls. He was tickled to tell them we were parked at the beach celebrating all day long.
We toured Key West but declined the $20+ parking because it was so super hot that day, we didn't feel like walking much and we aren't much on shopping. Finally found a dog park across from a beach and parked there to enjoy the shade and let the pooch run wild. Met some delightful folks. Oddly most every where we went said NO RV parking, but the van was our only transportation. No one gave us any grief.
We managed to get out and hear a few bands, plus dine on the most awesome seafood enchiladas I have ever had. Don is a retired musician, so he was thrilled to be part of the audience for a change.
We toured quite a few RV parks but didn't find anything we liked, as they had cut down all the trees. We did love the Bahia Honda State Park, so next spring we have 14 night reserved in the same spot, so we won't have to shuffle around like this year.
Looked at some real estate and RV lots for sale and the prices are out of sight. Even looked at rentals and I wonder how and where the workers live! It must be hard for them to make ends meet or maybe they live 4 to a bedroom.
On a funny note, John Pennekamp State Park is directly across from the largest adult store I've ever seen. Also the Dollar Tree was super well stocked and doing a booming business. We were in bicycle range to the many stores including the grocery store, take-out foods, liquor store and bars.
We dined in some and ate out some. We picked out lots of places we would buy if we could. Tons of day dreaming! Even met up with a realtor looking at an empty lot.
On hot days I enjoyed traversing the overseas highway just drooling at the blue waters that remind me of home in the Caribbean.
I got a deep dark tan without even trying because of all the bicycle riding.
I had not seen the keys in ages, so this was one fun trip! We are returning next May for 2 weeks and thinking about just doing the van again, since that turned out to be loads of fun. We did take outside chairs, table, umbrella, hammocks, so we could spread out and not be indoors much. Even took my rocking chair and dog has to have a chair too. Easier so he doesn't get stepped on or tripped over.
Life is long, death is short.
Do it while you can!
Go now. Go small.
This is kind of a followup from last spring when I was trying to frantically find RV spots on short notice in the Keys.
http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,103490.0/topicseen.html