Total Distance - 108 Miles
Be sure to click on Day Two above to see the 'rest of the story'
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Temp: 78 - 93 degrees F
Distance: 67.6 Miles
Calories Burned: 2,350
Average Speed: 13.2 Maximum speed: 24.0
Ride Time: 5 hours, 7 minutes and 2 seconds, starting at 07:42 -- finish 14:15ish
Cool things I experienced along the way:
Driving in Key Largo. Note the aqua colored median! What a hoot!!!
Awwww...
Construction!!!!! Ugh!
Looks like I won't be biking this stretch!!
Eric and I stayed at the Islander many, many years ago! It's still here!!!
Ranger station at Long Key State Park Campground
A very gorgeous campsite!
A weird phenomenon on the water as I was driving to dinner. The water had shiny patches on it... but the picture makes the sun 'glow' and look awesome!
Had a great dinner here!
A peacock was roaming the premises!
Sunrise at the campsite the next morning.
Hated to leave, but I have a big adventure ahead!
Starting out -- heading south...
First bridge of the day.
Key West only 64 miles...
My campsite from the trail. Yes, the traffic from A1A didn't make for a great night's sleep, but with the fan blowing 'white noise' I got enough sleep...
The trailer to the right of the campsite is the Volunteer site -- looks something like Sanford and Son... check out the pix in Day Two
The view over the bridges are gorgeous!
Mile Marker 64
Tom's Harbor Cut
Official Trail Signage -- not too many of these in the Keys
The line of mangroves separates the trail from the road to the left
Informational sign about the nature of the Keys
Mangroves in the water
A bench!
Entering Marathon Key
This next series of pictures is of the Marathon International Airport -- kind of distracting... ;-)
Leigh Ann's not just a Coffee Shop -- Wine and Cheese shop. Wish I had time to stop! My Maid of Honor named one of her daughter's Leigh Ann!
This wind sock is proving that I have a nice quartering tail wind to aid my journey!
An older mile marker sign
Almost went over this bridge by mistake. It only goes for about 2 miles... I wanted to go on this bridge instead...
This was the highlight of the ride -- what a great view! It took about 20 minutes to bike the bridge!
The 7 Mile Bridge journey begins...
View of the old bridge
You can see on the horizon the rise of the bridge still miles away.
I saw a sting ray in these waters and tried to take his picture. I love how clear the water is, so that you can see the reefs and depths of the water.
Snapped this one over my shoulder.
The break in the old bridge. Very glad I didn't go that way...
On top of the bridge.
Wheeeeeee... downhill!!!
Picture of my video camera (left) and bike computer (right).
25.4 Miles biked so far, going 24 mph downhill on the bridge! Wheee!
More of the old bridge after the 'break'.
Beautiful island towards the end of the 7 Mile Bridge
Line of beach huts
Pedestrian bridge using the old bridge at the end of the 7 Mile Bridge
The view is breath-taking... or am I just out of breath? ;-)
The 7 Mile Bridge ends in Ohio Key!
A couple kayyaking
Bridge on the south side
A swamp in the middle of the Keys!
Look out for deer!!
St. Peter Catholic Church
Guess they ran out of names...
Yea... protect 'em!
I wonder where North Pine Channel is... ?
Parrotdise Restaurant! <giggle>
Twenty-six miles to go!
Summerland Key... think I'll stop for some lunch!
Mermaids tend to follow me around... my view at lunch!
After lunch at the Galley Grill. Ready to finish this ride!
Thanks to John and Ginger for taking my picture!
42.3 Miles... 25 Miles to go... piece of cake!
5/6/2008 - 1:05pm -- next it said 91degrees! Glad it's not July!
Man... I love this color!
Crystal clear water!
What the...?
Oh, now I see!
Harris Channel
The trail goes over the bridge! Great!
Nice place to rest.
Information to read during my break.
Mile Marker 14...
View over the bridge
Palms all in a row..
Ahhhhh!
Oh no!!! Where do I go now??
10 Miles to go!!!
Ouch!!
So... is the "411" information on why gas is going up so quickly?
Trail under repair.
Not far now...
57.7 miles biked!
Rockland Key
Navy Base
Nine Mile Marker
Adult Superstore!!! Oh my!
Look! Up in the sky!! A fighter jet!!!
Seven Mile Marker!
Look! There it is again!
Fighter jet went right over me!!! That was loud!!!
Six Miles! Now it's getting exciting!
Signs for Florida Keys Community College and
the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center
'Ray! Key West city limits!!
Thank you! Glad to be here!
Trying to take my picture in front of the Welcome Sign...
With or without the glasses??
AAAWWW...
The trail loops around Key West -- this is the north side.
There are couple of roosters chasing each other around the front of this Pizza Hut in Key West! It was too funny! I wonder what toppings they serve??
One Mile Marker!!!!
See? Mermaids follow me around!
The old Fort
Almost there...
Hurray! I made it!!!! Wheeeeeeeeee!!!
Sixty-Seven point six miles! WOW!! A new personal record!
Well... back I go...
Naw... let's go party instead!!
The guy taking the picture of the group is the guy that took my pictures at the Zero Mile Marker signs! Thanks!
First some typical tourist stuff...
View from the Southernmost point -- Continental USA...
There were a series of these Key West history plaques around the monument.
Now that's tall!!
Gary... Lynn... recognize this hat??? <giggle>
Found it in this shop, but didn't buy it!
Almost bought this for Eric... not! <giggle>
So this is where biking 67 miles will get ya!!!
Now this looks like a great place to get a drink!
Celebratory Cuba Libre!
I got Eric's Anniversary gifts in this store. His favorite animal is a giraffe!
This was the cutest, most well behaved kid I've ever seen eat sushi!!
Had a lovely dinner here!
Look ! The sun is setting... on Mallory Square!!
If you're not familiar... Key West celebrates the setting sun every day!
It's a bit of a Happening. There are street performers, shopping (of course), glass bottom boat tours and lots of drinking involved! Following are some pix of the celebration on May 6, 2008!
This dog's name is... Cleo!!
The performing CAT!
Glass Bottom Boat tour returning
This guy picked his nose here... Man what people will do for a tip!
Boat? Helicopter? Stingray?
Cool? For sure!!
Just a sliver of a moon.
Should I??? Hmmm...
Nah...
Famous Sloppy Joe's Bar in the background.
Last stop of the evening -- Frozen Custard to give me the energy to drive back to the campsite!
Please click on Day Two below (or above) to see the rest of the story...
