End of the Road-Key West

November 19th-a day for celebrations!  I won’t say much about the riding to Key West as I’m sure Dick is covering that, but I will tell you that my (Carol’s) heart was full of mixed emotions when we arrived safely.  Of course there  was relief and happiness that we had traveled the 3400 miles with no significant injuries and that the trip was certainly all that we had hoped for and much more.  On the other hand there was the sadness that goes with the end of something special that will never be done in just the same way again.  What started out for me as a big unknown as far as whether or not I could do this trip physically and mentally, is now a known factor.  Not only could we do this but it was just not as difficult as we had imagined it might be.  Of course we had the perfect riding partners, the perfect weather and very dependable bikes to help us with this, to say nothing of all the friends and family and and friendly strangers along the way.  Thanks to all. 

Now for a  few words about Key West.  If you have not been here–do come!  It’s a great town and honestly has something for everyone whether you like peace and quiet or loud partying, burgers or good cusine, funky old motels or fancy beach resorts, art and literature or speed boats and bi-planes.  Just about the only thing Key West does not have is snow sports. 

In 1513 Ponce de Leon named the keys Los Martines (The Martyrs).  Key West has been the home of artists and writers for quite some time including Hemingway, T. Williams, Audubon, Truman and Frost.  It’s the southernmost city in the continental US and was once the wealthiest city in the U.S. There has been a great deal of sunken boat salvaging for many years due to the incredible number of ships which have been lost in storms on the surrounding reefs. 

Dick and I have generally been very lazy since our arrival 4 days ago.  We checked into the Banyon Resort on Wednesday and were given an incredibly low price for the area due to the fact that it is still low season, the air is cool and perhaps the economy has slowed things down a bit for Key West.   We’ve toured the area by bike, read, walked the town and neighborhoods, relaxed in the lounge chairs by the pool, napped, watched the sunsets and used the spa.  Of course there is the food-just about anything you might want is here.  Today we took the boat to the Dry Tortugas and toured Fort Jefferson-a really fascinating place.  We were able to swim a bit and tried snorkeling but it was very windy and the visibility in the water was not good.  Tomorrow Dick’s sister and her husband will join us for 2 days before we head to Fort Myers by ferry.  We’ll take an evening dinner cruise on the tall ship The Liberty Clipper which we spoke about touring in Boston back in September.  We had a nice dinner with owner Greg Muzzy before he left for home earlier in the week. I almost forgot to mention that we attended the Sunrise Rotary meeting at 7am on Friday.  It was held at the top of the tallest building in Key West and the room had windows on all sides.  It was difficult paying attention to the speakers.

For those of you who have been checking on us along the way and live near Davis, we are planning a rootbeer float and other desserts party on our return.  If you don’t hear from us soon after our return on December 1st, give us a call to find out just when this event will take place.  

Nothing is better than the wind at your back, the sun on your face, and your friends beside you.

Quote by Aaron Douglas Trimble

So long for now and lots of love–Carol and Dick, Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa