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Old 03-27-2017, 07:32 AM   #1
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A Drive to the Keys?

Hello everyone! It has been a while since I have posted...has been a kinda dead 10 months for airstream use (for many reasons I will not get into)....but we are still kicking and have plans!

Anyway, I have a question about a possible trip we are *considering* for 2018.

My wife and I have a 10 year anniversary this June, but for financial and logistical reasons, we decided to make 11 years our "big to do".

We are planning a 9 day trip (like a Friday evening start perhaps, then going till the next Sunday). We live in Birmingham, AL.

My wife wants to take the trailer to the florida keys. The internet say that is about 15 hour straight drive for me....so figure two days of driving each way. 4 days of driving and 5 days of sitting around at perhaps an awesome campsite in the keys?

I just am wondering if it is worth that amount of fuss give those time constraints?

We are totally ignorant about that trip at this point, and are seeking some feedback.

We would be going sans kids by the way
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:09 AM   #2
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We live in Huntsville AL and never been to Keys.
Getting an new 26U and would like to make that pilgrimage one day as well.
I would be interested as well in campgrounds, etc.
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:12 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by PharmGeek View Post
Hello everyone! It has been a while since I have posted...has been a kinda dead 10 months for airstream use (for many reasons I will not get into)....but we are still kicking and have plans!

Anyway, I have a question about a possible trip we are *considering* for 2018.

My wife and I have a 10 year anniversary this June, but for financial and logistical reasons, we decided to make 11 years our "big to do".

We are planning a 9 day trip (like a Friday evening start perhaps, then going till the next Sunday). We live in Birmingham, AL.

My wife wants to take the trailer to the florida keys. The internet say that is about 15 hour straight drive for me....so figure two days of driving each way. 4 days of driving and 5 days of sitting around at perhaps an awesome campsite in the keys?

I just am wondering if it is worth that amount of fuss give those time constraints?

We are totally ignorant about that trip at this point, and are seeking some feedback.

We would be going sans kids by the way
Welcome back! Remember it's over 100 miles to Key west from Miami, just for reference. Reservations a year in advance will simplify things. Have fun.
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:18 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PharmGeek View Post
...

My wife wants to take the trailer to the florida keys. The internet say that is about 15 hour straight drive for me....so figure two days of driving each way. 4 days of driving and 5 days of sitting around at perhaps an awesome campsite in the keys?

I just am wondering if it is worth that amount of fuss give those time constraints?

...
We have been (a lot further than you have to go) and IMHO it is worth the trip - once. I'm not sure that I would go back again as we prefer the white sand and clear water along the FL panhandle. All of the sand on the beaches in the Keys is brought in by barge as the storms keep washing it away. We found the water turbid and not the nicest for swimming (although warm.) Depending on the time of year you are planning, you could find that it is a popular spot for spring break and not conducive to a relaxing holiday. If you SCUBA dive or snorkel there are lots of charters.
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:25 AM   #5
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Summer in the Keys (I live in Miami) can be right toasty, especially if you get a few days with no wind. It is also mosquito season but the county does spray pretty aggressively. Key West will be fairly dead -- it is the off season so not a lot of live entertainment, theatre...

You might consider Ft Desoto county park over by St Pete or Gamble Rogers State Preserve on the northeast coast. Less driving, better beaches...
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:25 AM   #6
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I would say that a drive thru the Keys and to Key West is absolutely worth it.

It is an absolutely beautiful drive, and Key West one of those kind of funky places that is fun to see and experience.

Ditto on getting your reservations made now, and take your time from Miami on down as it is a 2 lane road and there are lots of restaurants and places that especially your wife might be interested in stopping at.

My late hubby and I were there twice....once in a car, once in the Interstate.

Sounds like a perfect place for an anniversary, and I would suggest leaving the kiddos with trusted caregivers.

Have a great time!


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Old 03-27-2017, 08:33 AM   #7
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We live in Dadeville and have plans to make the trip next month. Time should be ok IF you are Ok with long driving days. Sites will be small but there is a lot to do there for sure. My wife and I did a Niagria Falls trip last year for our 15th anniversary, 2400 miles 10 day loop. It was AWESOME.
Dadeville to HUNTSVILLE
HUNTSVILLE to Lexington
Lexington to Jackson Center 2 days there ( arrived on a Sunday did the tour Monday)
Jackson Center to Niagria Fall CA. 3 days there. ( that was plenty of time there)
Niagria Falls to Virginia
Virginia to Asheville NC
Asheville to Dadeville
So quick long trips are part of what we do because we have 2 kids ( 8 and 13) and have to take personal time when we can. And don't want to wear the grandparents out to much.
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:59 AM   #8
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OK...so no one so far is saying "no do not bother"....that was my central concern is that folks who have actually made that rip regretted it..sounds like no one really so far "regrets it".

I am totally fine with a couple days of driving...I am kind of a "Driving machine" really...without kids (which again we WILL be without kids), it is like a vacation in of itself taking our time making it to the vacation...with kids it is sometimes flat out annoying (yall know what I am talking about).

We could leave very early Sat. morning, and get to a spot on day 1 in FL and probably spend a nice afternoon and evening enjoying at least part of day one...or alternatively driving much further on day one, then a smaller amount on day two and enjoying most of day two....either way, that sounds doable.

We have our own kayaks...actually, wife has been continually stealing my plastic touring kayak (16.5 ft capella) and I am picking her up her own this coming weekend and we will be bringing the kayaks (we drag a big canoe and kayak most all the time now airstreaming!) - kayaking, snorkeling, and beach bumming will be central on such a trip!! I have seen some amazing photos of people kayaking in and around the keys. This is truly a bucket list type of trip I suspect.

I have absolutely no idea when we would go....I know someone mentioned summer, but is there a "best time" really to go?

I have heard that the drive across some bridges down there is a bit white knuckle...sounds interesting. wow, 100 miles from Miami to the keys...so are you pretty much starting at amazing blue waters that whole drive?
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Old 03-27-2017, 09:11 AM   #9
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We went in late June 2015 with 2 other couples. One in AS and one rented a house in KW. The campers parked at Bahia Honda SP. Nice enough park...a lot less than the private campgrounds. Beach not so great at the campground and there was a lot of sea vegetation washed up and decomposing (could be a temporary and infrequent event???). Smelled pretty bad.

BUT, we weren't spending a lot of time at the CG anyway, since the one couple had a house, we swam at their pool, and explored KW from there for several days. It's a HOOT!
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Old 03-27-2017, 09:52 AM   #10
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Great to hear from you. It is worth the trip. One of our favorite campgrounds is Bahia Honda State Park, Great place but need to plan well in advance for reservations. ENJOY
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Old 03-27-2017, 10:22 AM   #11
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A couple of months ago we drove from Miami to Key West - in a car. All the roads seemed just fine for towing a trailer, no scary bridges, per-se, though they are spectacularly long. I would, however, choose to go earlier in the year.
As another member posted above, it gets hot and muggy down there, and Feb-Mar is probably one of the nicest times to be there. That said, make camping reservations well in advance - like starting now - if you can.
As another member has also observed, the Keys are not famous for their expansive white sand beaches - for good reason. It is lovely and there is a nice beach right on Key West, but the natural shoreline is not sandy beaches - its mangroves.
Key West is a very cool place, with lots of great restaurants and hangouts, as well as one nice beach park. Many of the other Keys on the way down are also nice which is good, because the campgrounds are on those other keys (not 100% sure, but don't think there is a campground on Key West). After our last visit, we definitely thought it would be a fun place to camp, and we'd love to try it some day. Have fun!
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:03 AM   #12
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As a Federal employee you can stay at the Key West Navy campground on a space available basis. No reservations are excepted for non active duty. Take your VA employee ID. Odds are you will be sent to the dry camping area for such a short stay. If you have a generator big enough to run your AC that would make things more comfortable for the wife and kids.You might luck out and get a spot at the main campground with full services.

Just as a side note. If you decide to not drive all the way to Key West Ceder Key is a lot like Key West was 40 years ago. Very laid back, relaxed and not overflowing with drunk tourist. They have a couple of old school family campgrounds. It has some of the best kayaking and canoeing you will find anywhere. Delicious fresh seafood and friendly locals. Beautiful beach right down town with easy put in and take out.
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:10 AM   #13
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Key West

DW and I are headed down this Saturday from our home in the Orlando area. This will be our third trip in as many years.
After 1 April many of the winter residents have headed back north, so it's not quite so congested and, depending where you stay, the rates go back down, too.
We stay at about mile marker 13. Close to Key West, but not too close.
If you're interested, we can offer courtesy camping down by our pond. That would leave you about 7 hours from Key West.
The Keys offers a frame of mind you should experience at least once, and some really great seafood. Read Watson'sWander.com; Tim and Amanda have been in the Keys for the last month. Great pictures and vivid descriptions.
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:20 AM   #14
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Key West isn't for everybody- it's quite the partyin' town. Pretty much it's entire reason for existence these days. If you're a conservative type, the denizens could be very off-putting. I had fun for a year down there, but when I left, I was really ready to leave!

Definitely don't bring the Airstream on to the island, roads are very narrow. Even if you day trip down there in the TV, be sure to fold your mirrors in. The police down there kinda frown upon drunken tourists driving around, so be careful.

Probably the best camping close to KW is at the Geiger Key Marina. Reserve way in advance! Bahia Honda is very nice, but a long haul from KW through many speed traps. Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge (campground) is one key over from Bahia Honda, if you can't get a spot there. Very cute key deer will come right up to you in camp!

Summertime is brutal down there, as kelp blows in and rots on the beach. When the hot wind blows, it's kinda putrid. Very hot! Also, pretty much anywhere on southeast coast of Florida can get lots of jellyfish during the summer. Those babies will wake you right up! Look for purple flags before going swimming.

As for kayaking, it's primarily coastal paddling with a bit of mangroves thrown in. I paddle all over the state, but make it down to the Keys about every other year. Be sure to get a marine forecast before heading off shore, as the wind can pick up fast. Next stop, Bimini (or Texas)!

PM me if you want some great paddle spots in Florida.
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:20 AM   #15
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You should do it. I've made the trip from Mobile to the Keys towing my Avion five times. The most recent was November and we were only in the keys 4 days. Still worth it. Plus there are plenty of fun things to do along the way that break up the trip and also make the trip worthwhile. My preferred places to stay are the state parks. Curry Hammock is my favorite. I recommend November to March so it is not too hot. But it is harder to get reservations during that time period. I highly recommend Highways 19/27 as the route down through the central part of the state. If you end up deciding to go, I can make many recommendations along route and once you get to keys.
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:53 AM   #16
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We did this 2 years ago and really enjoyed our visit, we want as far as Marathon with the Airstream, and unhooked and traveled by TV from there for our exploring. Great bike paths along the old Flagler railroad. We would go again, but I am sure it depends on the time of year. We were in April and it was hot enough than.
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:54 AM   #17
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I've also been to all of the other places suggested. All are good. Cedar Key is quant and I had clam chowder there. But the water is too brown to remind me of key west and there really isn't much to do. Fort Desoto comes the closest to the experience of the keys since you go over 6-7 bridges and the water is much greener/blue. Lots to do in St Pete but it is about a 30 minute drive from Campground.
Last thing, don't worry about bridges in the keys. All are standard highway width and not an issue for trailering in anyway.
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Old 03-27-2017, 11:58 AM   #18
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Hey Pharm, good to hear from you, have not seen you since we hung out at the Destin rally a few years back. We are heading from Birmingham to Key West next week. 8 day trip. Heading to St. George Island/Carrabelle area first, then Silver Springs State Park, then Everglades NP, then Boyd's family campground in Key West for 4 nights. Will be paddling the kayaks in the spring-fed rivers on the way down and back. I will let you know how it goes when we get back.
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Old 03-27-2017, 12:14 PM   #19
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Camping in the Keys

We live on Marco Island just south of Naples on the West Coast of Florida. We love the keys as it is so different from the west coast and the water is generally clearer. If you have any interest in scuba or snorkeling I would suggest John Pennekamp state park. The reefs off Key Largo have some of the best scuba and snorkeling in the US. You can also launch your boats right there and the dive and snorkeling boats leave right from the campground. The campground is nice and there are great seafood restaurants near the camp as well as a couple micro breweries down the road a piece. Reservations are necessary as this park is always full year round.

Hope you take advantage of the Keys and please post your trip!
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Old 03-27-2017, 12:22 PM   #20
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Remember computer driving time is CAR time doing the speed limit 75 + I add a third and make it fun. That is a LONG way for your time.
6 days driving 3 days in the keys. Worth it???
Fort Desoto in StPetersburg Half the distance. Maybe a stop in Ceder Key an Artist comunity or St Augustine for a historic town.
Enjoy and tell us how it goes.
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