Our last day at John Pennenkamp SP

We're having a great stay at Key Largo. The weather has been great with varying temperatures, but always wearing shorts regardless of the weather. We've had a little rain, a little sun, a lot of wind and some calm days. What a mix. We never know what the next day will bring.
We took a drive down to Marathon Key a few days ago and enjoyed Sombrero beach for an afternoon. This is one of our favorite beaches in the keys along with the small beach at the south foot of Seven Mile Bridge. We went there also to see if it has re-opened after the 2017 hurricane. It has, but the bathrooms are still being re-built, and so are not opened.
Some of the small islands off the keys were flooded with salt water during the storms and all of the mangroves were killed off. They look quite barren now.
Today we went to Indian Key to kayak out to the small island 1/2 mile offshore, but thje winds were too strong. Maybe it was just as well because after we loafed in the sun and slight rain there for a couple of hours the flats were completely exposedc with the low tide. We might not have been able to kayak off of Indian Key!

The pelicans begging for handouts behind Key Largo Fishery.

The coast of Key Largo.

Spiny lobsters on ice at the fishery. These are fresh off the boat.

We love going to the backyard cafe at Key Largo Fisheries. The menu is on a billboard and you order your lunch through a window. When the food is ready you pick it up at the next window and have a feast!

A view from one of the bridges connecting the keys. Thew water is a gorgeous aqua blue.

Fun at Sombrero Beach at Marathon.

We were entertained by the magnificent frigate birds soaring over the beach. I love watching them float in the air like kites.

Another view from Sombrero Beach.

The coconut palms were just loaded.

A coral rock on shore.

This is the small beach just south of seven mile bridge. The hurricane caused a lot of havoc in this part of the keys.

Lazing away at Key Largo

After a few days at Sebastian Inlet we moved back to John Pennekamp near Jupiter. We spent more time with Mike and Carol, our neighbors from Leelanau County, and had a few more adventures around the Hobe Sound area.

On Saturday we move south to the Keys. We are spending ten nights at John Pennekamp State Park on Key Largo. This is one of our favorite campgrounds in the keys. Hoping to do a lot of beaching , kayaking and some fishing while we're here.

 

Mike Walker on the Loxahatchee River. We kayaked eight river miles one day while at Hobe Sound. 

Mike's freind Doug joined us for the river trip.

We saw several alligators in the upper stretch of the river.

Paddling through the cypress trees in the upper river.

We came to a downed tree that was blocking the river. No way around so we had to climb over it and pull our kayaks across. This part wasn't in any of the brochures!  

We went for a long bike ride on another day and saw these berries along the trial. Mike looked them up and found that they were called beauty berries. I didn't eat any to see if they worked. 

My next boat at Shrimpers restaurant.

Here we are at the end of the trail having grouper ruebens at Shrimpers on the water.

Thebikers

We waw several tortises along the trail

Here is the boat dock at John Pennekamp S P.

Starfish on the ocean floor. They turn upside down to absorb the sunlight!

Oh, what a beautiful afternoon.

Nancy having a birthday lunch at the Fish House on Key Largo. I didn't know the camera was set to Fisheye mode, but maybe it was appropriate when the wait staff brouhgt out a fish with a candle for her birthday desert!

Back at Johnathan Dickinson State Park!

We moved to the Sebastion Inlet area near Melbourne Beach last week and spent time at Long Point County Campground. We were right on the water and had an opportunity to do some fishing and kayaking. We were about two miles from the inlet and the State Park, but didn't get a chance to see what their campground looked like. We decided that next time we are here we will try to get into the State Park.
 On Sunday we joined Becky and Dave at Animal Kingdom and had a great day with them and Ben, Kate and Trevor.

Some pictures from the past week...

Kayaking at Riverside Park near Jupiter, Fla., with Mike Walker, our neighbor from Cheney Road.

Turtles on the Luxahatchee River

Kayakers on the intercoastal waterway at Longpoint Campground.

A picture of the mangroves

My sweetie, Minnie Mouse.

My other sweetie going into Animal Kingdom at Disneyworld

Just hanging out.

Mt Everest at Disney. We had a great roller coaster ride.

Ben, Dave, Trevor, Kate and Beckymouse.

Hakuna Matatta

The Lion King Festival Show. This was a spectacular show to end our night.

More Pictures from this past weekend.

Johnathan Dickinson S.P. is on the Loxahatchee River. There is a concession in the park that rents kayaks, canoes and boats. Also river tours aboard the queen.

The river is being protected to keep it natural. This is one of the few access points along the upper river.

A hut at the park. I was amazed at the internal structure that supports this big shelter.

Incredible yachts at West Palm Beach. 

Millions of dollars in fiberglass floating at the docks.

A view looking back at the beach front condos and resorts.

After walking the fair at West Palm Beach we went to the art fair at Delray Beach. Mike and Carol Walker, our neighbors from Up north gave us a grand tour of the east central coast.

Nancy found a friend at the art fair.

A band plays at the shore in Stuart Florida just north of Jupiter.

An oyster catcher on the shoals at Stuart.