Florida Keys, a subtropical paradise
Midway in our recent road trip through the Sunshine State, we spontaneously decided to visit the Florida Keys, a series of islands extending into the Gulf of Mexico for 127 miles, traversable via the Overseas Highway and ending in Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S. We stayed on Marathon Key and enjoyed the crushed-coral sand, turquoise water, and palms of the beach pictured above.
Lush vegetation and showy, vibrant flowers made the islands seem more tropical than subtropical. This is powder puff shrub (Calliandra haematocephala).
Yellow hibiscus
Coral hibiscus
The palms were lovely too
A closer look
We drove all the way to the bottom of the Keys one afternoon for a sunset dinner in Key West. Afterward we strolled down Duval Street to people-watch. Sloppy Joe’s Bar is one of the tourist attractions on that street; Hemingway is said to have frequented the place. The bar-strewn avenue reminded me of Austin’s own 6th Street.
The Keys are beautiful, laid-back, and fun. But time was short, and after two days we headed north for Naples to see the new botanical garden there. I’ll have pictures soon.
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
We drove from Cape Canaveral to Key West once. That was a long drive! Amazing how much of that drive was spent on the keys. I wanted to stop the car and jump off the bridge and go swim in that surreally blue water.
Did you get to visit the museum of shipwrecks and lost treasure?
Nope, though we saw it as we walked to dinner. We only had time for a stroll up and down Duval St. and watched a few street performers on the wharf before we had to head out. —Pam
Beautiful and warming on a snowy Denver day!
I would love to visit there someday. I love the double petals of the Coral Hibiscus.
Wonderful photos. I have been to Sloppy Joes etc. I liked Marguritaville better. tee hee…
Beautiful! Glad it sounds like you had a fun get-away!
Florida is one of our favorite states. We used to go down several times a year, when my mother-in-law was alive and living in the Palm Beach area. Beautiful landscapes. Things we treat as houseplants, are grown outside there. It was similar, on our Mexico trip. Still editing those photos.
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the Naples trip.
I was in Florida for a couple weeks last month and it always amazes me when I am there about how many different plants they have that we do not have in So. Cal.! You would think with mild climates we would have similar plants, but I guess the humidity (they have it, we don’t) makes a big difference!
We recently saw friends just back from Key West, so it was nice to get your perspective on the Keys, as it is a place we’ve thought about visiting. Gorgeous color — almost as good as your poppies!
We had a memorable time on a trip through Southern Florida when our son was about 12~We rented mopeds and biked around~It was a real treat in the middle of winter! The beach, good eats, breezy weather and very different gardens are great ways to spend time on vacation. gail
PS We rented the mopeds in Key West~Not the south of Florida! gail
That makes more sense, Gail. In the south of Florida you’d have been mopeding in swamps. 🙂 —Pam
I went there once.
Winter is the busy time of yr. Sis-in-law was in charge of condo type rentals, like starting near 1,000.00 a night. Of course we didn’t pay that. I couldn’t believe it. This was in Marco Island. They took us on a boat ride around the Island. Nice.
Those must have been nice condos. We found a cute, little 50s-style motel in Marathon for around $100 a night on short notice. It’s good that there’s a range of accommodations in the Keys. —Pam
Ever since reading a fiction book, that took place there, I have wanted to visit the Florida Keys. Your photos are terrific.
I am wishing I was down there today enjoying those tropical breezes and all the wonderful flowers.Instead its to be rain and cold. Glad you had a great spring break and thanks for brightening a gloomy day.
Very nice for me too…yet another unseasonable wintry storm and 30F NOW in ABQ!
I guess “tropical” and “subtropical” depends on where one draws the line. I don’t think the lower Keys / Key West has ever had frost, so that sounds tropical. But others say many truely tropical plants cannot take it down to 45F…some tropicals cannot take much below 65F!
What a great detour. It brings back memories of a trip I took with my family there back in the 70s. The drive to Key West has got to be one of the Great Scenic Routs!
Even though spring has arrived here, I would love to visit a tropical isle, especially Key West, I have always wanted to go there. I look forward to seeing your photos from Naples.
Pam, I have not been to the Flordia Keys, but would love to go……I have spent time in Naples and it is beautiful down there. I have a blog and live in Texas and would like to add your blog to my list. Please come and visit and follow along.
Barbara
Hi Pam, I didn’t know you were traveling Florida. It was home to me for 20 years and I spent a lot of time in the Keys. So glad you got to enjoy it! And this is birding season too. Did you see Ding Darling refuge? Corkscrew Swamp? Everglades National Park? Look forward to more Florida photos.
I keep my travels quiet until I’m home, Kathleen. 😉 Florida was fascinating. We did see the Everglades, and I should have some pics up tomorrow. —Pam