The morning was overcast and cool. (It's relative, you know. Low 70s.) Nice breeze. The campground was on the southwest side of Miami. DL dropped me off in Homestead at a pre-selected location that could, if it needed to, accommodate Mel and Roxy. I left a little later than usual for what I expected would be another warm day--0740.
The route was a few blocks away. I was on the ECG that parallels one of the bus lanes that I mentioned yesterday. Nice. I am not sure I remember even one bus passing me by. I did encounter a few pedestrians. Everyone was friendly. Always nice to start the day with smiles.
It was not long before the Greenway dumped me off onto US-1, and I was quickly greeted with US-1 being blocked off. All traffic was being routed onto the Card Sound Road. I didn't know much about the road, but I feared there was not a bike lane. Two law enforcement vehicles were stopped to block US-1. I pulled up, and the officer was quite friendly. He said US-1 was closed until 10am for a road race (he indicated runners). I asked if Card Sound Road was a safe alternative. He said two cyclists had just come off and said the road was terrible, and that there was no shoulder for cycling. He told me that officially US-1 was closed. That I might be asked to stop farther up the road and wait for the race. But that US-1 was definitely a safer road. I alerted DL to the traffic disruption so that she would delay her journey start until after 10am.
Which road did I take? US-1. I was due to be on US-1 for approximately 20 miles. Guess what? 20 miles with not ONE vehicle in my lane from Homestead to Key Largo. I did see some cyclists, one runner, and a few vehicles northbound. But it was deserted for miles and miles.
Then a sign I was happy to see.
There was a lot of road activity as I approached Key Largo. The roads were still divided for the race, and pylons were being picked up. A policeman helped me safely across the lanes of congested traffic to get to the side path. Very nice indeed. I was on a side path for almost 100% of the ride to the campground. Passed the entrance to Pennekamp, a wonderful jewel of a park. We spent time there for my 60th birthday. It was the first place I saw Magnificent Frigate Birds. I didn't see any today.
The campground is basically an RV park that allows overnights. I was waiting for DL, Mel, Roxy, and Jack to get there. The winds were about 15mph gusting to over 20. The tide was high, and it was splashing over the cabana area at the park. I just hung out enjoying the view and getting an occasional splash.
I talked with a guy who comes down a lot. He said almost all of the travel trailers that had been at this park were ruined and moved after Hurricane Irma. They brought in new, hurricane-worthy park homes. A few seasonal folks still bring their big rigs down. But the rebuilt dock and cabana area is nice.
After Roxy was situated, and the AC on for Jack, DL and I rode back up to the North end of Key Largo to hit a place we had gone several times when we were here for my 60th. The Buzzard's Roost is still going strong. It had been raining hard, but we were able to grab a table under the covered porch area.
Thank you David Kolb for the refreshing cocktail. I enjoyed every sip of it! DL's beer in the pic as well. DL remembered the smoked fish dip from this restaurant, and that is why we came today. My food was good as well. We expected no less.
On the way out, I had to get a pic with the Buzzard. That's what I do.
As we were walking away, we spotted our new acquaintances, the two women cycling from Jacksonville to Key West. They had not stopped to ask the road block folks if they could continue on US-1. They said the road was horrible, and they had been tense the entire ride. They just happened upon this place for lunch out of the rain. They'll be staying at Pennekamp for a rest day. They deserve it! Turns out they'll also be at the same campground at Key West on our last night. So we intend to raise glasses together. Super cool.
Back at the RV Park, we did some usual maintenance things. Showers, laundry, trying to stop a faucet leak. Then, after chores, we walked back down to the dock and cabana and sat for a while.
Took these shots. The sun was out enough to see the aqua of the water. Still breezy, but not anything like earlier.
We thought having a drink on the water sounded good. There is a resort only two-tenths of a mile south. What a great bar and dining area on the water. Was perfect, and we watched the sun beginning to set. When we arrived back at the RV Park, the sun was just below the horizon. However, still made for another nice shot of the water. (You know, you'll probably see a few more of these types of shots!)
Cool enough not to have the AC. That makes a perfect day to me.
30.93 miles / 964.44
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