Florida keys

[Smitty]

Looks like we may miss each other Ken. Already had reservations for some camping this weekend, but was considering cancelling to go to the G2G. Does not look like I will be able to make the G2G, so will be heading out Friday for our camping trip. Will be working Thursday, but depending on what time you get into Palmetto Wednesday may be able to do something Wed sometime after work. Palmetto is only about 30 miles from where I live. Would hate for you to be so close and not meet!

[kenz]

Wow, what a trip! Finally got the pics loaded up. So here are a few.

Here's the video of the bypass we had to take because of the rock slide that closed off I-75 just into Tennessee. At the time everything, including semi's where diverted this way. We had already passed the 'hairy' part, but this shows the rock face. There was a river on the other side, way down in the bottom of the gorge. Beautiful view though. (check out the mustang and where he was coming around the corner!)



Some wildlife we seen.






The Coral Castle.




Couple of bars in Key West.




Me, the wife, and her mother.



Hurricane memorial



The lilac's were in full bloom all the way thru Kentucky. Made for a nice scenic view.



Never know what you will see while traveling down the e-way...




It was pushing close to 70 degrees as we were rolling thru northern Tennessee, but started dropping as we were almost thru Kentucky. This is what I had when I parked the truck when we got home.



And finally the total miles for the trip.



What a wonderful trip! the Keys are a wonderful place to visit, next time it will be spent fishing! Key West was great, but don't know if I could take more than a couple days at a time. But I recommend everyone go there at least once.

We did have a side trip to Alabama, and wound up touring more of it than I planned. Traveled all the way to Montgomery for the drag races, had a great time. Got some pics of the GTG, but got to find them. I sure hope I didn't wipe them out. 

All in all an excellent adventure! Looks like the next one may be Washington DC possibly next year. Will have to see.

And finally, can't forget the Florida Keys sunset.



Here's a link to all the pics.
http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee266/krz71/Florida%20Keys/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16

[Smitty]

Glad you had a good time Ken 

[kenz]

One thing that I didn't know about the Hurricane Memorial is that there were a lot of Vets that died during the Hurricane that were there working on a new road for WPA. Something like 300 or so people, 200 of them veterans, were cremated and laid to rest in a crypt at the base of the monument. Amazing what the power of Mother Nature can do.

[Smitty]

One thing that I didn't know about the Hurricane Memorial is that there were a lot of Vets that died during the Hurricane that were there working on a new road for WPA. Something like 300 or so people, 200 of them veterans, were cremated and laid to rest in a crypt at the base of the monument. Amazing what the power of Mother Nature can do.

A bunch of WWI vets I believe. Weren't they on a train trying to get out? Think that is the story.

[Lobster]

One thing that I didn't know about the Hurricane Memorial is that there were a lot of Vets that died during the Hurricane that were there working on a new road for WPA. Something like 300 or so people, 200 of them veterans, were cremated and laid to rest in a crypt at the base of the monument. Amazing what the power of Mother Nature can do.

A bunch of WWI vets I believe. Weren't they on a train trying to get out? Think that is the story.

http://www.keyshistory.org/hurrmemorial.html

[Smitty]

  Thanks

[kenz]

"So, the next time you cross the Channel Two bridge at mile marker 73, look about 800 feet to the west (Gulf side) for the remains of eight bridge piers built by the WW-1 veterans in the water and remember this part of Keys history."

I remember seeing these in the water, and wondered if they were remains of the original bridge. We were actually camped on Fiesta Key, MM 70.

[Lobster]

"So, the next time you cross the Channel Two bridge at mile marker 73, look about 800 feet to the west (Gulf side) for the remains of eight bridge piers built by the WW-1 veterans in the water and remember this part of Keys history."

I remember seeing these in the water, and wondered if they were remains of the original bridge. We were actually camped on Fiesta Key, MM 70.

Next time I drive to the Keys I'll be taking a picture of it. It'll be a while til that happens, though. I'm hoping if the cards play out right to do a trip to the Keys in December with Jake, but probably not all the way down to Key West (that is a 5 hours drive one way from my parents' house). So much Florida history and I barely know it.

[kenz]

I guess that's my downfall when on vacation. Between the relaxing and all the 'tourist' things to do, I still seek out the past of wherever I may be. I like history, my wife not so much. But we compromise, she will do the history stuff, and I'll do the touristy stuff. In the end we both have a good time. Of coarse if we wind up in DC next, she might be S.O.L. 

[Lobster]

I guess that's my downfall when on vacation. Between the relaxing and all the 'tourist' things to do, I still seek out the past of wherever I may be. I like history, my wife not so much. But we compromise, she will do the history stuff, and I'll do the touristy stuff. In the end we both have a good time. Of coarse if we wind up in DC next, she might be S.O.L. 

I've been to DC five times and STILL have not seen everything! And every time I've gone the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial have both been under scaffolding. One day I will get out there and see everything I missed out on.

[NickC]

As i was reading some of this... i was thinking about how Donny and I used to joke around about making a trip to the Keys on our bikes or something like that.

I did some back research and i think ive found where it all originated from...

http://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-cummins-diesel/116685-gooseneck-flat-bed-trailer.html

I was cracking up reading through that thread from back in the days! 

Ken- Those are some pretty amazing pictures! Id put my jealousy factor at around a 11 after seeing them! My buddies ex girlfriend moved to the keys for 2 years and every time she comes back (my buddy still talks to her when she visits back), im fascinated to hear how the lifestyle goes down there. If only there was more of a demand for concrete driveways down there... id pack up and move in a second! 

[1ACarlos]

Definitely one of the best places to go in the US.