Florida Keys.....

[Ironheadziggy76]

My trip to Myrtle Beach in May got canceled due to my upcoming Jury Duty so we are heading to our old standby in Daytona this October. After getting there I thought a couple of us might take a side trip down through the Keys to Key West. I have never been and have always wanted to cross all those bridges. I don't know why, I can't swim!:eek:

Anyone have any advise as to what to look for when traveling down. Places to stay once you get there (cheap motel, or camping), and by all means, must eat places.:p It's only about an 800 mile round trip, but you know how it is when you get somewhere you have never been. You end up spending a lot more time than you originally intended. :) Let me know, and thanks.

[motomac]

There is camping in Homestead and one of the Keys is a big campground. Lot of wild chickens running around Key West, so be careful you don't run over one of them. There is a camp ground in Key West. The SO and I didn't stay down there so I don't know what all you want to see and do, but she was ready to get back on the road once we got the Mile 0 and Fartherest Point South pictures.

[Trekker]

A few years back my wife & I drove a cage from Miami to Key West. It was a beautiful February day with clear blue sky. The drive on US-1 was cool. But.... be careful! There are signs indicating the number of days without a fatal accident.... and we saw the remains of one that reset the counter. Any major accident could have an impact on the traffic flow since there is only one road in & out. That said.... I do not intend to alarm you. ;)

The bridges were for the most part short, except for seven mile bridge.... that was something!

It is my intention to ride back out to Key West someday (it's on my life list). I never stayed at any campground while there, so cannot recommend any. But I do remember someone telling me to never trust your gear will be there if left unattended.

While Key West was a cool destination, the other Keys looked like they had a lot going for them too. I bet with a little research you could find some very interesting places to camp & eat. Any broken down shack selling seafood is worth checking out! Ambiance ya know. And conch is overrated IMHO.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Thanks guys.

Motomac, we are just looking to grab the 0 mile marker pics and maybe eat lunch at Sloppy Joe's then head back north. We might stop along the way back and camp if we hang around too long.

Dave, funny you should mention broken down shacks, they always seem to have the best food. I love finding the Mom and Pop places to eat while out traveling. I would like to take a trip someday heading to the West Coast across whats left of Route 66 just looking for these types of eateries. Kind of like Alton Brown without the film crew. I'm not a fan of Conch either.

[Trekker]

Sloppy Joe's ! Everyone goes there! ;)

Here's a restaurant I can highly recommend (my wife reminded me of this place). The Blue Heaven.... the dining area is the back yard, and the food is awesome. A very eclectic menu...

http://blueheavenkw.homestead.com/Blue_Heaven_Restaurant_Key_West.html

Very easy to find as well. It's in a kind of residential area... so they kinda like the engine revving kept to a minimum.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Sloppy Joe's ! Everyone goes there! ;)

Here's a restaurant I can highly recommend (my wife reminded me of this place). The Blue Heaven.... the dining area is the back yard, and the food is awesome. A very eclectic menu...

http://blueheavenkw.homestead.com/Blue_Heaven_Restaurant_Key_West.html

Very easy to find as well. It's in a kind of residential area... so they kinda like the engine revving kept to a minimum.

I figure Sloppy Joe's is kinda like going to Boot Hill Saloon in Daytona, ya gotta go just once.:p

Thanks for the link, I checked out the menu and it had me drooling.:)

We are planning to leave about 3:00 in the morning, and leave the loud pipers in Daytona.:D

[Mellow]

Rick and I took a Florida Key West Trip (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=820) and when I was doing research on campgrounds in Key West and they were crazy expensive so we bypassed that option. We just went there and back from the Ocala area. It was a long day but fun. Now that I've done it, I have no reason to every do it again. LOL

[Ironheadziggy76]

Rick and I took a Florida Key West Trip (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=820) and when I was doing research on campgrounds in Key West and they were crazy expensive so we bypassed that option. We just went there and back from the Ocala area. It was a long day but fun. Now that I've done it, I have no reason to every do it again. LOL

Thanks for the link Joe, I really should use the search feature a little more shouldn't I?:o

That was a great ride report. I'm thinking once we take the pictures of mile 0, and the buoy we will probably want to get back to the party in Daytona.:D I guess it will be one of those rides where you enjoy the trip a lot more than the destination.:)

[mongo]

I highly recomend the 7 mile bridge diner (mom and pop). It is ont right (one of the last bldgs) before the 7 mile bridge. If you are into taking pictures, take the last turn off before the bridge and ride straight past the Knights Key campground and take some shots of the bridge from there. Some of my best PICS are from that area. The Knights Key campground is a good place to camp. If you don't like mom and pops try the Boondocks bar and grill @ mile marker 27 1/2 on the right great food and atmosphere to match.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Thanks for the info mongo, I will definitely be taking some pictures. Myself and the guys that will be going live for the Mom and Pops places. Boondocks sounds like a good place too. I can tell that this is going to be a two day trip already.:D

[mongo]

Thanks for the info mongo, I will definitely be taking some pictures. Myself and the guys that will be going live for the Mom and Pops places. Boondocks sounds like a good place too. I can tell that this is going to be a two day trip already.:D

The Knights key CG is about midway of the keys and has a tiki bar in the campground, with some of the best sunset scenery in the keys right from a bar seat, gotta love it!

[Ironheadziggy76]

The Knights key CG is about midway of the keys and has a tiki bar in the campground, with some of the best sunset scenery in the keys right from a bar seat, gotta love it!

Well.......It may be a three day trip!:p

[crazymactech]

Was trying to make it in Dec 06 to the Naval Air Station at Key West (they have camp grounds and I'm retired military). Rain started pouring down like crazy about 15 miles from there and I pulled off into a KOA campground. $63 to just put up a tent for one freaking night. I had expected about $30. Hell, I could have rented a motel room for $63. If I had known the KOA would have been such rip off artists, I would have rode the extra 15 miles in the rain and camped out at the navy place for about $10 for the night. Or just pulled off and slept on a park bench somewhere.

I now carry a large tarp with my bike. Large enough to cover me and my tent. If it rains like crazy, I will just pull off somewhere safe , tell the motel/campground money hungry fools to kiss my butt, and wait out the weather. I'm not going to spend $63 to put up a tent again in pouring rain.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I'll have to remember to stay away from the KOA down there. One of my buddies and I have discussed trying to get back to the mainland to spend the night so it would be cheaper. He wants to save his money for beer and lap dances.:p I'll probably just buy another T-shirt.;)

[Mellow]

If the KOA was $63... trust me.. the hotels were MUCH more than that. That's one reason we didn't camp there last year when we went.. the cheapest I found I think was $50 for a campsite. Heck, come inland and spend half as much, even that seemed high.. LOL

Sorry about your rain luck... never fun setting up in the rain.

[Trekker]

Was trying to make it in Dec 06 to the Naval Air Station at Key West (they have camp grounds and I'm retired military). Rain started pouring down like crazy about 15 miles from there and I pulled off into a KOA campground. $63 to just put up a tent for one freaking night. I had expected about $30. Hell, I could have rented a motel room for $63. If I had known the KOA would have been such rip off artists, I would have rode the extra 15 miles in the rain and camped out at the navy place for about $10 for the night. Or just pulled off and slept on a park bench somewhere.

I now carry a large tarp with my bike. Large enough to cover me and my tent. If it rains like crazy, I will just pull off somewhere safe , tell the motel/campground money hungry fools to kiss my butt, and wait out the weather. I'm not going to spend $63 to put up a tent again in pouring rain.

A tarp is a great idea.

If the KOA was $63... trust me.. the hotels were MUCH more than that. That's one reason we didn't camp there last year when we went.. the cheapest I found I think was $50 for a campsite. Heck, come inland and spend half as much, even that seemed high.. LOL

Sorry about your rain luck... never fun setting up in the rain.

I'll agree with Mellow here.... they charge that much because they can. The motels are usually higher than the mainland too. Let's keep in mind the Keys are islands, and like all island communities they have greater costs and fewer customers in total for a year.

[Ironheadziggy76]

For what you have to pay for rooms in Daytona during the rally I sure hate to not use the one I have already paid for and then rent another in the Keys.

[Downeyman]

I live in Miami so here is the load down on the keys:

From Homestead, take CARD SOUND ROAD, NOT US1 to Key Largo. It is a WAY nicer ride! It's a toll road but I'm sure you can afford the $0.75. At the toll plaza, stop at Alabama Jack's for the best conch fritters and coldest beer. Enjoy the live music but don't eat just yet. They have been there for 50 years or so.
At mile marker 90 stop at Craig's for lunch/dinner and have the "World famous dolphin sandwich". You will love it, trust me!
Camp at Bahia Honda State Park. It's at mile marker 36 or 37. Camp sites are right by the water and the view is phenomenal. These are usually $10-15/night and even have electric hook ups. If you are pulling a trailer with your bike, bring a fan and an extension cord if you want to sleep in the summer?Might as well put a fishing rod in that trailer once you are at it.
The 7 mile bridge starts at the gate for Bahia Honda S.P. Ride it in the morning so you have a better chance of no clouds and little cross wind. The ride can get spooky if it's windy on the bridge. You will be in Key West in 30-45 minutes. The obvious place to go is Sloppy Joe's but there are many nice mom & pop places to hang out in.
The beaches in Key West generally suck but if you have the time and money, take a boat to the Dry Tortugas National Park. It's about $120 per person for a full day (8am-5pm) of boat ride (2hrs each way), guided tours of the Fort at the Dry Tortugas, breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, bottled water and snacks, all included. Not to mention, the nicest beach in the Keys IMHO.
In September there is the Key West Bike week/poker run. The place gets PACKED with bikers and the girls wearing the beads are much better looking than in Daytona?
No matter where you eat or where you stay, you will enjoy the ride unless US1 is closed due to another accident?
ENJOY!

[Ironheadziggy76]

Thanks Downeyman for all the info. I'm thinking they will probably just want to ride down and grab some pics and shirts and head back north. From everything I've read, I think I would like to take a separate trip down and spend a few days there.

Thanks again and welcome.

[windnmyhair]

My trip to Myrtle Beach in May got canceled due to my upcoming Jury Duty so we are heading to our old standby in Daytona this October. After getting there I thought a couple of us might take a side trip down through the Keys to Key West. I have never been and have always wanted to cross all those bridges. I don't know why, I can't swim!:eek:

Anyone have any advise as to what to look for when traveling down. Places to stay once you get there (cheap motel, or camping), and by all means, must eat places.:p It's only about an 800 mile round trip, but you know how it is when you get somewhere you have never been. You end up spending a lot more time than you originally intended. :) Let me know, and thanks.

If you're going to Key West the last part of october Fantasy fest is going on and it's a real party,lots of painted on ladies.If you go to their web site you can get the dates for this year.My brother and I went down last October and stayed 3 days of the fest,got a lot of good pics

[Tx White Knight]

Thanks for the info windnmyhair, sounds like a interesting time to visit

btw Welcome to the forum

:tent3:

[Ironheadziggy76]

If you're going to Key West the last part of october Fantasy fest is going on and it's a real party,lots of painted on ladies.If you go to their web site you can get the dates for this year.My brother and I went down last October and stayed 3 days of the fest,got a lot of good pics

Oh man, will October ever get here?:D

Welcome to the site windnmyhair!

[windnmyhair]

Thanks for the welcome guys,You'll have a great time at the fest if you decide to go.

[DAD]

After living in Fla for several years and riding the keys a bunch the word of advice I would give is to be very careful when going thru Big Pine Key, it is the national Key Deer refuge and they REALLY frown on speeding! anything over the posted speed Normally 35 gets you a ticket from the Sheriff but especially from the wildlife officers, both state and national, and they DON'T give breaks!:tent1:

[Ironheadziggy76]

Thanks DAD, I'll try to keep that in mind. The last thing I need on vacation is a performance award!

[bluepoof]

Thanks for all the tips! I'll be in Key West at the end of the month and am already drooling over the Blue Heaven menu. ;)