The early means of getting to Key West was a railroad which was built in 1912. However the labour day hurricane of 1935 damaged the railroad badly and there wasn’t the money to sort it out. The railroad bridges were then converted to roads which were replaced with what is there now in the 70/80s.

 

On the way back to FLD we called into the Everglades National Park. That was really interesting. Like all wetlands it under threat and is not as it was 50 years ago. The water levels have fallen and bird life has been reducing in recent years as a result of competing water  needs of farmers, local residents and tourists. Runoff rich in nitrates and phosphates has caused algal blooms which has caused local wildlife to suffer. Anyway we went off walking on the trails seeing gators, vultures all sorts of wading birds. Its an amazing landscapes dominated by sawgrass plains and hammocks tropical forests.

 

The wind driven boats are not part of the National Park so that wasn’t an option.  There are lots of canoe trails so maybe next time that would be an objective.

 

The drive back to FLD was on Hwy 1 but we chickened out when we got to Miami avoiding the downtown area. After seeing Miami FLD looks positively provincial.

 

The Sun Doesn’t Always Shine Here

 

The Quartermaster Checking our Stores

 

Seven Mile Bridge

 

Seven Mile Bridge the Old Railroad Bridge on the Right

 

The Remains of the Railroad Bridge

 

Typical Key West House

 

Key West

 

Historic Marina

 

Marina

 

Sunset from Mallory Square

 

The Museum at Pidgeon Key

 

Our Anchorage at Las Olas Bridge