The Road To Flamingo

So it looks like there are multiple revisions of the Most Scenic Drives in America.  I have to admit my copy is the original 1997 Version , so I might miss a comment or so from the newest editions but if I see anything amiss I'll let you know. 

There is even a Kindle version available from Amazon.  That might come in handy, my daughter is dying for a Kindle Fire.

 

Heading back from the last post on the Keys, this drive is basically the main road for Everglades National Park.  Flamingo is a small stop with a campground in the heart of the park, several years ago, on New Years Eve this is where I proposed to my wife Lisa.  This is a great area and we visit whenever we are in south Florida.

 

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Since the Everglades National Park is a major park, there is an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle to get in.  Like they say, you should probably check with the National Park Service website to make sure my information isn't out of date.  I haven't been there today after all.

 

After the Visitor Center, the first big stop is Royal Palm.  This area is the best single stop in the park.  It's fantastic for wildlife viewing, the prime season being the "dry season", winter.  Alligators are abundant and are very accessible, very close.  Later in the spring baby gators make their way onto the shores of the Anhinga Trail.


Gators on the Anhinga Trail

 

Back on the road, heading toward Flamingo, its fascinating to watch the terrain change as the elevation changes just a few short inches.  The grassy glades change to cypress and then pine forests. 

 

The Pay-hay-okee overlook makes a good spot to stop and see the Everglades grasslands.  My other favorite stop is the boardwalk along the Mangroves at West Lake.

River of Grass

Flamingo itself can be a bit of a disappointment as a destination, with a ranger station and gift shop.  It is still a bit of a mess from a major hurricane years ago.  Be sure to continue down toward the campground, Eco Pond is worth a visit.  It is a great place to capture pictures of south Florida birds and it's a nice gentle walk around that isn't too far.

 

If you're lucky it's starting to get dark on your way back toward Homestead.  Dusk affords a good opportunity to see some of the park's mammals, particularly deer and bobcat.

Overseas Highway

Might as well start in the back of The Most Scenic Drives in America, Spectacular Road Trip #120 is an awesome cruise through the Keys on the Overseas Highway.  I have to say I've never taken Card Sound route to the top of Key Largo, but typically take US1 from Homestead.

 

We like staying in Homestead when we are in South Florida, it is central to most of the areas we visit; Miami, the Everglades and the Keys.  Once you get to Key Largo, heading south, the views are fantastic.  The bridges from island to island make for a stunning drive.  The traffic can be a little bit of a hassle, keep in mind US1 is Main St. for every key. 

 

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The Dolphin Show at Theater of the Sea

In Islamorada (Mile Marker 84.5) is the Theater of the Sea.  This is a nice tourist attraction with dolphin and sea lion shows, yet on a much smaller scale than SeaWorld.  Theater of the Sea's size makes it a little easier to get up close to the attractions and the crowds are smaller so it's easy to see it all.

 

 

The old way

All along the islands are various State Parks and nearly every bridge has a pull-out for scenic viewing.  The best of these begins in Marathon.  Marathon makes a good stop for food or gear, then as you leave the island be sure to stop before the seven-mile bridge.  Here a section of the old bridge remains that you can walk out onto and enjoy the view.  The bridge itself is a great ride, taking you as the name implies about seven miles to Knight Key.

Bahia Honda State Park

Immediately after the seven mile bridge at mile marker 37 is the best of the key's state parks, Bahia Honda State Park.   This park has fantastic beaches on both the Atlantic side and the Gulf side, we tend to prefer the Gulf side ourselves.  There is an entrance fee and it can fill up during the heaviest part of tourist season.  Those subs from Marathon's Subway make for great picnicking on the beach, but there is a small concession stand.  There is also a little education center to learn more about the surrounding reefs. 

Leaving Bahia Honda, its not too much further to Key West.  In Key West there is plenty to do, especially in the "Old Town".  Not to be missed are:

• Smathers Beach
• Southern Most Point - Key West is the southern most city in the continental United States.
• US1 Mile 0 - a must see for any road tripper
• Duval St - bars and restaurants
• Mallory Square - the Sunset Celebration occurs every night at sunset  
• Sunset Pier - Yes, the sunset is quite nice from here too



Southernmost Point

Since the weather's great in the keys, not nearly as hot or cold as mainland Florida, I'd recommend taking a tent and camping out.  Bahia Honda has great spots right on the beach, but you'll probably need a reservation.  Near Key West there is a KOA on Sugerloaf Key that has nice spots and is, of course, right on the water.


Sunset from the road





The Most Scenic Drives In America

120 Spectacular Road Trips


Recently I received a copy of this book, The Most Scenic Drives In America, by Reader's Digest as a gift.  This is a great book, it details 120 different scenic drives across the United States.  Since I love to travel, I figured it would be an interesting read. 

It turns out that many of the trips listed in the book I've already taken, so I decided I would take some time and use this blog to add my comments on the various road trips. 

There are also some of the trips that will make summer road trip wish list.


So stay tuned, I'll be adding posts on each trip soon.