CONCH REPUBLIC
For the fascinating, yet true, history of the
Conch Republic, kindly click on the flag below.
KEY LARGO
The Northernmost Territory of the Conch Republic
Just eighteen miles south of mainland United States lies a diver's paradise, Key Largo. More than anything else, Key Largo is a place to relax and play. With an average high-temperature around 80 degrees, it's easy to see why some 11,000 residents call Key Largo their home. We've arrived for a truly magnificent sight: our first sunrise in the Keys!
For street reference on the island, mile markers along the Overseas Highway are used in lieu of street addresses. These little green signs can be found every mile and, if you know the number you are looking for, getting around the keys is very easy. Cars or boats are used most frequently for transportation. Many mailboxes have MM 110, for instance, and that way visitors can find their destination more easily. Key West is MM 0. It's 110 miles from Key Largo to Key West!
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Diving & boating are the two main activities in the keys. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park offers divers and snorkelers a wonderful adventure. The park covers 23,000 underwater acres and there are 650 varieties of fish and 1200 varieties of plants to look for. The park also offers a 30,000 gallon aquarium and glass-bottom boat and scuba tours.
Snorkels, masks & fins may be rented from one of many snorkel shops.
Anyone for some amazing scuba diving amongst the coral reefs? The catamaran awaits.
How peaceful it is under the water.
There's nothing like a magnificent sunset to end our first day in the Conch Republic.
We'll park the Chevy for the night & catch you all in the morning.
ISLAMORADA
Islamorada encompasses several of the Florida Keys including Layton, Long Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lignum Vitae Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key. Windley Key begins at MM 85. Upper Matecumbe Key is the hub. Long Key ends the area below MM 68.
Welcome to MM 84 and the Pelican Cove Resort, where we will spend the night after our busy day in Islamorada. This is a view from the ocean.
Islamorada is considered the fishing capital of the world. Below is a view of Islamorada from a parasail.
Would you like to rest on this beautiful beach?
Everyone back in the Chevy. It's time to buy bait and catch our dinner. Papa Joe's is quite famous in the area.
Time to catch our dinner ~
Our first catch and it's a bull dolphin!
Dinner at last!
These pelicans are waiting for our fish to be cleaned, but we don't have to clean the fish. Any of the local restaurants will clean & cook anyone's fish for a $2.00 surcharge to the regular seafood menu.
If you lived here you'd be home now.
The end to another magnificent day in the Keys. Tomorrow we head for paradise. Sleep well, dear Drifters.
