wbwood
Troutman, NC
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Been reading some posts on the Florida Keys, specifically Bahia Honda and Curry Hammock. I have a couple of questions.
1) Things to do. Besides kayaking, playing in the water, are there other things to do there? I know there is Key West, but I would imagine it would get taxing driving in to Key West from the state parks on a daily basis to do things. I'm just wondering how bored a 10 yr old girl would get being there a week or two.
2) Gas. Whats the distance between gas stations out there? Are they common or do you need to fill up on the mainland? Are there grocery stores out there? I imagine Key West has something. Does any of the other islands?
Brian
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JRS & B
Florida/Michigan
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Gas stations and grocery stores are readily available. No real need to stock up on the mainland. The further you travel toward Key West, the higher the gas price gets. But there is no shortage of supply. All along the Keys there are Winn Dixie or Publix stores, but they may be a 30 mile drive depending on where you stay. Small grocery stores and camp stores are outrageously expensive. It is worth the drive to shop at a major grocery store.
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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You will have more fun being near Key West. Everyone knows that and that's why you pay more the closer you get. Just the sunsets alone are worth it, as everone goes to Mallory square and readies for the sun to hit the water and a beam of light spreads accross the water surface. Street intertainment is present every night. Ft. Zacary Tayor is on the point where the Ocean and Gulf meet. It is a Federal day park and has a snack bar. Travel to the Keys is best done after morning traffic going out and comming back before traffic heads back toward Miami. That's because many that work there and deliveries are rush traffic just like major cities.Make sure your rig is in good mechanical condition, and don't travel if high winds are expected.
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Jim Shoe
Amelia, OH
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On my one and only visit to the Keys, I was surprised to see that sandy beaches are imported. The "unimproved" beaches in the keys consist of sharp coral that would cut bare feet. Here's a link to a site that describes the beaches and which ones have been enhanced with imported sand.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.
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Klueck
Florida
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We just got back from the Keys recently. There were plenty of gas stations, but very few places to refuel a large diesel motorhome. The only place we found that would work (there may be more, but we didn't notice any) was just past Sunshine Key Resort. You could get a large DP in there. There are no Walmarts though!
As far as a 10 year old. At our CG, (Sunshine Key) they had a game room. There are lots of places to bicycle.
I'll bet she would enjoy the Everglades. We enjoyed Shark Valley very much.
Check out my blog starting the end of December if you want to see lots of pictures of the Keys. We kayaked a lot though.
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JRS & B
Florida/Michigan
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There are a few beaches where the sand was trucked in but you still cannot swim because the sand ends at the water's edge. The bottom there is kind of a muck that you sink into. People paddle out on air mattresses but never stand up in the water. So you need a swimming beach, not just any beach.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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There isn't much to do in the Keys besides drink and fish and snorkel and kayak.
If you are picturing long walks on long sandy beaches, it isn't going to happen. Hardly any beaches; just broken shells and coral.
Restaurants are over priced, traffic can be very trying, a drive from Bahia Honda to Key West can be 90 minutes or three hours, more if there is a wreck.
There are three Publix (Key Largo, Marathon and KW), one Winn-Dixie.
She will get her eyes full in KW; is she ready to see a grown man in a Speedo (hopefully) in full body paint to look like a Coconut Palm?
On roller skates?
And when the cruise ships come, you can barely walk without bumping into somebody.
There is a reason Disney is so popular.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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JRS & B
Florida/Michigan
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Key West is certainly gay friendly, and it is most obvious around Haloween when the festival takes place. But I just think of it as being cosmopolitan. It becomes more ordinary every year as the time share condos over take everything in their path.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Well you got the down side from all the disgruntled travellers. I do not think there is a lot to do for a 10 yo girl. Bahia Honda has one of the best beaches in the keys but it can be hit and miss depending on seaweed accumulation at times. It is all about the water in the keys and the vistas crossing the bridges is spectacular. If you like laid back relaxing there is plenty of opportunity there. Sitting in your campsite at the waters edge at Long Key State park with a light breeze blowing and a beautiful view is priceless to me.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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JRS & B
Florida/Michigan
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I highly recommend seeing the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. Don't let the "BIKERS WELCOME" on their sign throw you. Most all of the bikers in the Keys are on Medicare. It is a good organization and you can pay extra to get in the water with dolphins after the organized shows end.
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