MAKING A ROAD-TRIP ALONG FLORIDA’S GOLD COAST TO KEY WEST IS A DREAM LIFE EXPERIENCE
It has been a dream of ours to take a roadtrip down to Key West for a long time and we finally got to do it. We absolutely love to travel and, for us, the journey is as important as arriving at the destination. Every part of this trip was A M A Z I N G and we can’t wait to pack up and go again…did someone say “let’s buy a camper and hit the road??!”
After a driving 187 miles, the first stop on our journey was Delray Beach and it was magnificent. You can stroll along the seafront taking in the Atlantic Ocean views, which has easy access to the beach, or, head to the plentiful and welcoming restaurants and boutiques. We enjoyed a meal and cocktails just steps away from the 2 miles of sandy beach. Well worth the stop along route.
Driving along the Gold Coast Highway A1A, it was only a short journey of 33 miles to Fort Lauderdale from Delray Beach, this was going to be a working stop but what a fabulous place to pitch our tent and sell our artwork. The word for this place is Glamorous with a capital “G”!
Fort Lauderdale has everything, arts, beach, stunning views, plentiful restaurants, bars and cafes. You can promenade along the stunning beach front or, take a stroll under the shade of elegant palm trees along the meandering path north bank of the New River and seeing all the expensive yachts docked as you pass by.
We were there to attend the Visit Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival with our man Lord Honey, Chef Jason Smith himself. Jason was there to judge the Big BBQ Battle and to do a food demonstration, he was also with us, in the official Chef Jason Smith tent, exciting his fans by signing the artwork we created for the Chef Jason Smith Art Collection. What a blast we had too meeting and greeting Jason lovers, especially when Food Network star Nancy Fuller paid us a visit, she was absolutely everything we imagined, such a warm and kind person.
After packing up our tent and artwork, it was time for the next leg of our journey, Key West here we come!!!!
As soon as we hit the Overseas Highway it felt like we had already arrived, leaving the city traffic behind, and enjoying the views of the ocean on both sides of the road most of the time. We were in awe.
Our first stop was The Florida Keys Visitors Center, 106240 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, Fl 33037. It was definitely worth the stop, picking up lots of useful information, the staff were very helpful and we made use of the restroom, which after a long drive was a relief.
One of the highlights of our roadtrip was driving the Seven Mile Bridge, we had really been looking forward to this moment and it did not disappoint. It is still one of the longest bridges in the US, it’s actually 6.7 miles but whose counting and, if you are heading to Key West by car, you literally can’t miss it. We relished every moment and with Jimmy Buffet playing we were living the dream.
It was a 200 mile drive from Fort Lauderdale and it was one of our most enjoyable journey’s, right up there with Maui’s Road to Hana but for different reasons.
Having arrived in Key West, we dropped off our bags at our B & B, freshened up and headed down the the infamous Malory Square in time for our first sunset…WOW, it was everything we had imagined. The square was totally packed, especially with a cruise shipped in dock but that just added to the atmosphere. After watching the last glimpse of the perfect sun setting, we followed the sound of a live band playing in the distance, we grabbed a couple of daiquiris and danced in the street. Yep, this was it, Key West good vibes at their very best.
Duval Street is filled with bars and restaurants, we walked from one end to the other try to decide where was next on our list. All that walking and dancing made us hungry and we finally decided on Sloppy Joe’s for some sustenance, which was delicious and a couple of cocktails to wash it down of course. More live music and a great atmosphere, afterwards we danced our way back to our B & B feeling how lucky we were.
The next morning we were woken at dawn by the rooster crowing outside of our door, not only that it actually banged on the window and, after drawing back the curtain, we revealed there were a few hens and other roosters waiting for us to rise. After our chorus of roosters, we headed down for breakfast, freshly made Belgium waffles topped off with fruit, again the rooster was there waiting to see if we dropped anything. With our stomachs satisfied it was time to explore Key West in the daylight. With only one full day, there was a lot to pack in. Firstly heading down to the southern most point of the continental USA, then stopping for the famous Key Lime Pie at the Beach Cafe, Hemingways House and the historic seaport. Having pounded the streets from one side of the Key to the other, enjoying all the arts and crafts along the way, and clocking up 20,000 steps in the process.
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After soaking up the Key West vibes it was time to head to our next destination, Islamorada.
It was an 80 mile drive, again on the Overseas Highway, we decided to stop at Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada en route, we had done our research about Robbie’s, which has been voted No.1 place in the Keys to visit and we were not disappointed. We loved it. It is such a interesting place, authentic Keys with it’s world-famous tarpon feeding, we loved it because of the pelicans and unique atmosphere. Having lunch on the deck overlooking the marina is a must, watch your food though, the birds are hungry and not at all afraid of people.
Robbies is located at 77522 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036.
Having had our interaction with the pelican’s it was only fitting that our last stop was Pelican Cove Resort and Marina. After all the walking at Key West we were ready for some rest and relaxation at Pelican Cove. It could not have been better, everything we wanted was in easy walking distance within the resort, whether at Pelican Cove or it’s neighboring sister, the Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina. The staff were extremely helpful and welcoming ensuring that our room was only steps away from the pool, beach and bar, with a view of the ocean from our balcony, it even had a panoramic photo of the Seven Mile Bridge over the bed, perfect.
Pelican Cover Resort & Marina is located at 84457 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
We spent an entire day stretched out on sun beds on the beach, or swimming in the pool, the sea was a tad to chilly for us but the pool was heated and felt wonderful.
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Strolling to pick up our breakfast it felt magical seeing wild manatees swimming peacefully by, not something you see on a regular day, but that’s the Keys for you. Magical.
We really felt that we had chosen well with both our Key West and Islamorada stays, being in the heart of Key West and now in a resort with easy access to all we wanted to enjoy. Each night there was live music at the Tiki Bar with gorgeous views from any seat, heavenly cocktails and of course dazzling sunsets.
Before we knew where we were it was our last night and time to make the 300 mile drive home the next day, was it worth it? YES, we would do it again in a heartbeat we want to package up the feelings we had on the Keys and keep them always.
Until the next time….
