Thursday Jan. 21: I rode 28.8 miles to Key West and then tooled about in Key West checking out the bars and such. It was a balmy 75º in Key West while back home in Virginia, it was a balmy 16º. With lots of rain coming in to the Gulf coast, I decided to end the trip on a high note in Key West. They even had blowing snow in Clearwater! I can have all the snow I want back here in Virginia. After, pedaling around in KW, I headed to the airport and rented a car. I wanted to stay late in KW and catch the sunset. I had a couple of margaritas in Sloppy Joe’s and then a beers at Capt. Tony’s. I walked around Mallory Square waiting on the sunset. Big disappointment, the sunset was completely clouded in. Nada. Back at Casa Clarin – Paul, Debby and I had another great dinner and some more visiting. Then on Friday, I drove back to my grand-niece Jen’s house in Gainesville. She, Andy and her son Nick treated me to a big ol’ hamburger dinner at Applebee’s. More great conversation back at her house and then on Saturday morning, I headed back to Roanoke with Heyoka stuffed into the back seat. All the roads were in great shape considering the amount of the snowfall. Everything was copacetic until I tried to plow my car up my driveway. Nope! I ended up with the car sticking out into the road. I couldn’t get it out and had to leave it there with my bicycle strobe light flashing in the rear window to warn off any cars zooming through the neighborhood. I asked Katharine to let Louie, my dog, know that I could use some help. The next morning, trotting up the driveway was a couple of Louie’s doggie pals with his owner Shannon tagging along pushing his snow blower! He cleaned my driveway off and helped get my car unstuck. What a great neighbor, and thanks Louie for sending your dog brainwaves to your pals.

So, another fun bicycle trip checked off. Where to next?

Here’s the map from the Key West ride and lots of round-up photos and movies:

Leaving Paul’s, I spotted a blimp. Saddle Bunch Keys Stock Island The Welcome to Key West sign.

Some Key West chickens. They’re all over the place. Someone told me they were feral remnants from the days of gambling on cock fighting.

Riding along the Atlantic coast in Key West

 

In the queue to take my picture standing next to the obelisk denoting the southern most point in the U.S.  The goal of the trip! The chickens wander all around the roads. They’re considered to be protected wildlife.

 

Albert Key, the conch blowing greeter. Died in 2003.

This is Ron from Illinois. I think he said this was his third trip. He was riding with a self-contained adventure cycling group.

 

Seems like mile 0 would be the beginning?

Near Mallory Square where all the sunset celebrations happen.

 

The beach on the Atlantic side.

Outdoor sculpture at the Key West Museum of Fine Arts

Some frolicking nudes

Man waving holding a bag
A cruise ship getting ready to leave port An Australian Cattle dog. Maybe a dingo ate chor baby?

Here’s Mike & Barbara Magill. He retired early, many years ago, sold everything, bought a camper and hit the road with their two teenagers. Barbara homeschooled the kids. They first thought they would buy a sailboat and live aboard. Took a sailing class, got sea sick, plan aborted. One time they were in Texas and their truck, camper and everything was stolen. Can you imagine walking out of your hotel to discover everything you had was gone? Mike said that even with a tornado or fire, you can still parse through the wreckage to find some closure. They recovered quite nicely though and are back on the road again enjoying life. This was taken at Mallory Square.

Watching the cruise ship sail away.

There was a big regatta going on while I was there. At the end of the day, all the sail boats came back into port. It was interesting watching them stow their giblets or whatever they call them.

More video of the cruise ship leaving. Like watching paint dry.

Some stowing of giblets. Next was the turkey roasting.

Another cruise ship leaving.

Paul, Debby and Driskell

Tried to get a selfie with all of us, but old fat head obscured Paul’s face a bit.

And here’s my car stuck at the driveway.

Welcome home!

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