Travel Journal From October 2006- Miami and the Keys

[Littlejem]

I just finished (FINALLY) my anniversary scrapbook from October 2006, which was our trip to Miami and the Keys.  Here is the travel journal I used to do my scrapbook.  I had originally planned on submitting this to Budget Travel Magazine but never got around to it....

 When my husband and I married in 2002, everyone advised us against going to Miami/The Keys for our honeymoon.  "It's hurricane season," they said, "You can't go there!" So we went to Cancun instead... but that's another story.

This time we decided to revisit our trip idea for Miami and the Keys.  We lucked out with our transportation plans- my mother-in-law had 50,000 unused frequent flyer miles.  So we flew to Miami for the first night.

We started our road trip the next morning in Miami at the Art Deco Welcome Center.  The center has an excellent gift shop of art deco items and souveniers.  They also offer guided tours on certain days and self-guided audio tours.

We then headed to Little Havana, whichj is a section of Miami centered around part of SW 8th Street.  After visiting several art galleries and going to one of the better barber shops for my husband, we go eat at El Pub, a local resturant serving Cuban cusiine.  I enjoy the fricase de puerco (pork casserole) with plaintains, red beans and rice, while my husband has the El Pub Special Sandwich. I order a "colada" thinking I was getting a frozen drink only to receive a Cuban espresso.

After filling our stomachs, we drove 20 miles south to Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead.  Near the entrance to the Everglades, a $19 ticket buys animal shows involving snakes and alligators plus an airboat ride.  Our tour guide Manny was full of info concerning the Everglades and its inhabitants and handed out bird feed for all airboat passengers to hold up in the air.

After this excursion, we loaded up on take out from Mario's Latin Cafe and also bought some liquor and headed to our bargain find of a hotel, Travelodge in Florida City.  Booked using Yahoo Travel for $89 we thought this room was a steal since it included a microwave, refrigerator, pool, safe, and other features.

The next morning we go to Rte. 905 OS to Hammock State Botanical Site.  Over 40 species of plans are protected here on this nature trail. 

We then drive on into Key Largo where the super nice folks at Largo Lodge let us check in early, giving us a larger room than we had booked at no additional cost (not guaranteeing this will happen to you though!)

Tucked away in a woodsy corner we find Key Largo Coffee House.  Formerly Frank Keys Cafe, the Coffee House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is also a Wi-Fi hot spot (although we try not to glance at the computers inside). I try the Key Largo fish wrap made with mahi-mahi and a peach smoothie.

After a nap we are off to John Pennekamp State Park.  Key Largo is the "dive capital of the world" so scuba and snorkeling are the main attractions here, however we decide to take the 2-1/2 hour glass bottom boat ride instead for a look at the reef.

The FL Keys Gift Co. is a good place to stop afterwards for gifts by local artists. We buy a cat windchime for my mother-in-law.

For dinner we head to Fish House where we have a special called Monterey, which is shrimp and scallops served with linguine, sun-dried tomatoes, black olices, and artichoke hearts.  The entrees here are huge, but there is only a $2.50 sharing fee.

The next morning we drive to Islamadora, where we have brunch at Bob's Bunz.  They specialize in home fries and breakfast items.  My husband orders Blue Crab eggs benedict, and I order the special, cinnamon raisin french toast.

After getting a glimpse of the Hurricane monument at MM 82, we drive to Robbie's Pier where $3.79 a person gets you a bucket of food to give to the tarpons around the pier.  We ended up giving just as many to the pelicans as well!

After driving around for a while, we check into Sands of Islamadora.  Not only did they upgrade us to their best cottage for our weddnig anniversary that day, they also bought in a HUGE bottle of champagne for the room at our request.  We enjoyed their pool and said hi to their pet birds, dog, and cat.

We then headed back to Robie's Pier again for the 5pm Sunset Cruise.  Captain Chris took us and one other couple on a boat around the Keys, giving us a glimpse of background history, architecture and real estate, and local wildlife including mantatees and dolphins.

On Friday we stop at 7 Mile Grill, which is right before you reach 7 Mile Bridge.  Open since 1954, the eatery claims to have the Keys best key lime pie, but after our meal we are too full to try it. 

We then drive to Bahia Honda State Park, MM 37, where we are signed up for the 1:30 snorkeling tour.  This lasts until 4:30pm.  Bahia Honda also claims to have the best beaches in the Keys so we slip our feet into the sand before resuming our car cruise into Key West.

In Key West, we check into the Douglas House, which was also booked online for $129 a night.  This is a walking or scooter/bike city, so we trek over to Camille's for supper.  I have the veal, and my husband has the crusted red snapper.

On Saturday, we first visit Hemingway's Home, where there are plenty of cats amongst the tour.  We wander through Bahama Village towards Angela/Duval and Flamingo's Cafe afterwards.

We choose Old Town Trolley to see parts of Key West.  It first takes us to Mallory Square and the Truman Little White House.  This is an excellent tour and gift shop dedicated to Truman and other presidents that have stayed at this residence.

My search for the perfect key lime pie brings us to Blond Giraffe.  They put a key lime pie on cookie dough crust, put it on a stick and dip in chocolate. Sublime.

Our last trolley visit is Southernmost Point and Mansion, landmarks of Key West.

After stopping by our hotel to rest, we head back to Mallory Square for Sunset Celebration.  No trip to Key West is complete without seeing these performers and artists, as well as crowd-watching. I get my tarot cards read and a henna tattoo for $15.

Our last night in Key West we splurge by first going to Martin's Cheese and Wine for an appetizer, then we eat at Pisces.  I have the scallops, and my husband has Surf and Turf.

Our last day we drive back in our silver convertible to Miami to fly back home.  What a trip and what a great way to spend our four year anniversary together!

 

[selena32]

Nov. 4, 2007 at 8:09 PM This is a awesome travel journal!

[MomW773]

Nov. 4, 2007 at 9:58 PM Very cool!  I love Miami but I've never been to the Keys.  Sounds like you had a lot of fun!

[Stlmomt]

Nov. 8, 2007 at 5:49 PM

Hey girl, way to go... I'm a travel agent & I would love if we can talk about your travel portral its awesome, maybe we can chat & I you can share your trip with my monthly newsletters that go out everymonth, I would to use your story to reach millions. Let me know. Teresa

T