Southeast Florida

Key West Marina

In late June and early July, Allison and I traveled to southeast Florida.  We visited Miami, Key West and Key Largo before ending our trip in Hobe Sound with Allison’s father over the Fourth of July.

South Beach, Miami

Our first stop was at Miami’s South Beach.  After checking into the modern and stylish Gale Hotel, we walked along the beach to a restaurant in the heart of the lively Art Deco District.  We ate dinner at a  table on the sidewalk, watching a parade of revelers bathed in the district’s iconic neon glow.

Miami's Art Deco District

The next day Allison and I lounged on the beach, surrounded mostly by Argentineans and Brazilians escaping the southern hemisphere’s winter.  We were soon surprised to find ourselves in the midst of a television production set; a Latin American variety show was filming an episode on the beach!  Comedians, bikini-clad models and one very special little DJ amused us for hours.

Filming a variety show on South Beach

South Beach out of the (beat) box!
(click for video)

From Miami we drove south through the keys on Route 1, crossing miles of bright blue water interspersed by low-lying islets.  After several hours of scenic driving we arrived at Key West, the quirky and boisterous “Conch Republic.”

The Southernmost Point

In Key West we first walked to the Southernmost Point, where a monument marks the southern extremity of the continental United States.  Allison and I snapped a few quick photos in oppressive heat and humidity, then window shopped our way up Duval Street to Mallory Square for the sunset.

Sunset at Mallory Square

I dove the next day while Allison relaxed in the sun.  I had planned to dive with Lost Reef Adventures on the USS VANDENBERG – a sunken satellite tracking ship – but strong current prevented dives on the wreck so we explored two local reefs instead.  Afterward Allison and I wandered the waterfront, then returned to Duval Street for a delicious Italian dinner and evening walk among the raucous crowd.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

In the morning we had breakfast at the Southernmost Beach Cafe, then began our drive back from Key West at Mile 0 on Route 1.  In the hot June sun, Allison and I remembered that the temperature had been well below zero in January when we were at Route 1’s other end in Fort Kent, Maine!  After a lovely drive through the Keys, we spent a relaxing evening in Key Largo before heading further north to spend the Fourth of July with Allison’s father Jack.

The end  . . .

 

. . .  or the beginning?

Jack lives in Hobe Sound, on the Atlantic coast near West Palm Beach.  His home is close to a beautiful beach at the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge.  Also nearby is Jupiter Inlet, an important passage from the Indian River into the Atlantic.  During our visit I took a dive trip out of Jupiter Inlet with Jupiter Dive Center, viewing sharks, sea turtles, and the huge goliath grouper (each weighing hundreds of pounds) which frequent the area.

 

Goliath Grouper (each approximately 5' long)

In southeast Florida, Allison and I explored new places and also returned to some familiar favorites.  We combined sightseeing, relaxation in the sun, watersports and time with family.  And we visited the southernmost point in the continental United States as part of our journey to America’s corners.  It was fitting to end our trip with a celebration of America’s birthday!


Nurse Shark