Day 8 - Marathon to Key West

Today was our last day of cycling.  In total, we logged 58 miles today and had 3 flats. It was all good - we've turned into a little nascar crew fixing flats now! :)

Our day started on Marathon, just north of Seven Mile Bridge.

This morning's sunrise did not disappoint.

We packed and didn't even get out of the campground before I had a flat.  Thank goodness, this time, it went much better than the ones we had several days ago!

Off we rolled across 7 mile bridge.... Beautiful morning!

The old historic train bridge built in 1908 that is now used for pedestrian traffic and fishing.

Then we stopped to visit Bahia Honda State Park.... I would love to come back and camp here.

Onward we roll.... As we stop for a snack, we met this sweet bird.

We cross bridge after bridge after bridge.

This sign is meaningful in more ways than one! :)

Flat tire #2..... While Gayle and Noelia work, I'm taking pics. Lol. Look how pretty the water is in the distance. 

Yes, we finally arrive on Key West and enjoy the last bit of riding on A1A.

We take a few minutes for the tourist pics!  We rode to the southern most point of the US and had to have our pics at mile marker 0. 

Then, just as we head back north to our condo for the night, we have to reckon with flat #3. Once again, I'm taking photos.

We finished our trip off with a well deserved soak in the hot tub!  It was an awesome adventure and I'm so greatful to be a part of it!

Day 7 - Key Largo to Marathon

Today was another gorgeous day! We rode 58 miles and 0 flats.  We started our morning very early as the garbage men emptied the dumpsters nearby.  As luck would have it, we had coffee and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and watched the osprey at their nest.

The camp sight / marina that we stayed at was lovely.

We rolled out early and headed toward the smaller keys. Here is a picture from Flounders Park on Islamoralda.

Snake Creek:

We stopped along the way to see the coral reef and mangroves at Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological state park. Here we saw some old corral reef, hiked through the mangroves and met a falcon.

Water surrounds us all day as we cross these tiny islands. 

The old train tussle now turned into a pedestrian / fishing bridge.

We stopped at Long Key State Park to see the sights.  Here we saw lots of fish and hermit crabs.

We finally made it to Marathon, setup camp, ate dinner at the cafe here,  and watched the sunset as a couple got married!

I can't believe we are just one day away from Key West!  It's been an incredible adventure!

Good night from Marathon.

Day 6 - Coral Cables to Key Largo

Once again (this never gets old), we had another great day for cycling! We trekked 62 miles with 0 flats!!! We started at Coral 

Gables, home of the University of Miami Hurricanes. We rode through several beautiful neighborhoods before heading southward to Homestead.

As we neared Homestead, we rode nearly 10 miles on the roads built just for buses.  Homestead was quite the contrast to the wealth and riches of north Miami. Not even one Lambourgini there.

Along our travels, we met some cyclists heading Northbound. They recommended taking Card Sand Road over to Key Largo instead of US 1. This added a few miles but had less traffic. along the route, we enjoyed lunch at Alabama Jacks, great atmosphere, music and food!

After lunch, we finally crossed over the bridge to Key Largo! The water looks beautiful....

We rode along Northern Key Largo until we got to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  There we took a swim and enjoyed the sights...

Then as it was time to set up for the night, we looked for our camp ground, as the sun was beginning to set.

Our day ended with a quick dinner from Publix, enjoying the island breeze and swimming in the heated pool. :)

Goodnight from Key Largo!

Day 5 - Lake Worth to Bal Harbour

Well another great day of riding, 0 flats and 60 miles logged before a huge storm blew in.  I must note that there was a lot of traffic at many areas today, therefore I wasn't able to get as many pictures. Ft Lauderdale and southward was very congested.

We left camp at 7:30, it was a bit warm but cloudy.  Really a fantastic morning!

Along the way we passed many beautiful homes & yachts!  In fact, the us 'Miss Michelle' was even waiting on me! 

Nice place... The boat even matches the home!

While riding in Boca Raton, we even passed Louis Garnaeu riding bicycles with 20 or so others. Louis lives there and sponsors a cycling club! They were riding northbound and had the wind at their backs, lucky ones!

We made it all the way to Bal Harbour before calling it quits today.  We opted for a taxi and hotel for the night due to all the rain that came in late in the day.

Tomorrow we head off to Key Largo, I can't wait!