Page 14 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter/Spring 2022

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MONROE COUNT
Y TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
Get Your Island Groove —
THE FLORIDA KEYS WAY
BY KARUNA EBERL Awell-known paved road that
the locals call “the Stretch” is the
famous Overseas Highway that con- nects the U.S. mainland to the Florida Keys.
As you roll down your car windows and feel the lush tropical sea breezes along the Stretch, nature shifts from sawgrass meadows to tangled mangrove shorelines during your drive to the Keys.
From Key Largo to Key West, the Keys has a whole different energy. Friendly. Remote. Offbeat. These islands are sure to get your island groove.
KEY LARGO’S DIVING
Near Miami, but a world away, Key Largo is famous for reefs. Hop on a boat or snorkel from shore into John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for angel and parrot fish sight-
lobster statue, luring shoppers into Rain Barrel Village for local crafts. Paddle to the ruins at Indian Key. Feed giant tarpon at Robbie’s Marina. Eat with your feet in the sand at Lorelei’s or sip a rum-runner cock- tail where it was first concocted at the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar.
MARATHON’S TURTLES
Now that you’re halfway down the Overseas Highway, grab a to-go sub at Marathon Liquor and Deli and spend the day watching wildlife. Explore wooded trails at Crane Point. Help Hawkwatch count migrat- ing peregrine falcons at Curry Hammock State Park. Meet the sea turtles rehabbing at the Turtle Hospital. At Pigeon Key, take a ferry to the old railroad settlement.
fish at the Hogfish Bar on Stock Island’s fishing docks.
KEY WEST’S CULTURE
It’s the end of the road and you are now closer to Cuba than Miami. Though Key West is best known for Hemingway and the bars on Duval Street, there’s so much more. Grab an authentic café con leche or a Cuban meal from El Siboney. Explore Vic- torian architecture, side alleys and secret gardens by foot or bicycle. Find sunken Spanish treasure at the Mel Fisher museum. Enjoy a sunset cruise on a his- toric tall ship. At the legendary Chart Room bar, sip a cocktail where Jimmy Buf- fett and Jimi Hendrix played before they were famous. DS
ings, and see the submerged Christ of the
LOWER KEYS’ BEACHES
Abyss statue. Topside, ride the movie boat
On the far side of the scenic Seven Mile African Queen, eat freshly-caught yellowtail
Bridge lies the peaceful kingdom of the on the dock at Sundowners and dance the
Lower Keys. The tidal sandbars and man- night away at the historic Caribbean Club.
grove islands of the backcountry beckon fishermen, birdwatchers and paddlers. ISLAMORADA’S FISHING
Lounge on the picturesque beaches of Bahia
Islamorada is famous for offshore sport-
Honda State Park. Snorkel with goliath fishing charters. Look for Betsy the giant
grouper at Looe Key reef. Eat coveted hog-
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more travel information about the Florida Keys, please visit fla-keys.com.
14 DREAMSCAPES WINTER/SPRING 2022