Before I Forget All About the Trip

I did enjoy my trip to Key West in July, but wow, less than two weeks later it's feeling so long ago! Time to write it up, by which I mostly mean share photos, before all details are lost.

On Monday, part of the group drove to Marathon to spend the night. On the advice of the person who had done the drive before, we stopped at the Skunkape Headquarters in Ochopee along the way east across the state. The gift shop was full of fun things, and the bathroom had various fun signs, like this:

Once we were heading south, we stopped at a couple of farm stands to find one that sold smoothies (some do, some don't). Any idea what this fruit is? I was struck by the size, but the woman working there didn't speak English, so I couldn't ask.

Farther down, smoothies!

The drive down was peaceful, and of course once you get into the keys, it's water views on both sides.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Marathon, which I can now vouch for, it was good. For dinner, we went to Keys Fisheries for dinner with a sunset view.

Right after one of my friends wondered aloud when stone crab season is exactly, I looked up and saw the sign.

I guess they get asked a lot! At least they have a sense of humor about the menu:

This one was on the wall, obviously:

Down below is an all-ages eating area; we were at the bar, which is up above and adults only.

It was really nice to relax and watch the sun set.

On Tuesday, we checked out of the hotel after breakfast (Hampton Inn does a nice breakfast, if you haven't stayed in one, no extra charge), and after our visit to the dolphin place (as seen here), we went to Herbie's for lunch. Another menu with a sense of humor!

"It's not that we enjoy cooking but we love to play with your food."

"All menu items are homemade daily, and no we don't make mistakes but they may vary."

"Our chicken may appear a slight red or pinkish color from the smoking process. If you do not like chicken to appear this way, please make an alternative selection."

I got a few pictures inside:

But the one I didn't get was of the doors to the bathrooms. Labeled "Inboard" and "Outboard."

Yes, it took me a minute.

Anyway! I had a fried chicken sandwich and it was AMAZING. Definitely recommend this place if you're going through Marathon at mealtime.

From there, we drove on to Key West. Along part of the way, the old bridge is alongside the new one, and while at first it appears in decent shape, like it could at least be walked or biked on:

That stops later on.

And the remains start to look much more decrepit. 

It was a bit overcast, but the clouds were appealing in their own way.

I had to search why there was a blimp in the air over Cudjoe Key. (Short answer: radar.)

We made it to the hotel, Pier House, and checked in. They have a nice mural inside.

What they did not have, much to my surprise, was any signs when you got off the elevator indicating which room numbers were in which direction. I dragged my luggage in several directions before finding my room. Very weird. 

I found it eventually, of course, and it was a nice room--not surprising, considering the price. To be frank, from my perspective, this was an expensive hotel, and while it was nice, it wasn't that much nicer than the Hampton Inn, and it was much more expensive. Sure, I like a bargain, and sure, I chose to stay there, but still.

I didn't spend time on the little lanai, because it was so hot, and if I was outside, I was more often by the pool, but it's nice that there is one. 

And even though my room faced a parking lot and toward Duval Street, all the landscaping made it feel less like that.

If you look closely, this is actually made of paper or fabric, but from farther away, it looks more like a photo. It was cool!

Now, I'm not saying it's an el sleazo place to stay. It has its own little beach:

There's an outdoor bar, and the servers come around to you by the beach or pool to offer drinks. There's a restaurant, though I didn't try it so I can't speak to how good it is. It's a nice place! Just, you know. It didn't knock my socks off the way I expected.

This is getting long, so I'll break off here and pick up again!