I didn’t know much about the Florida Keys, but I JUST KNEW I HAD TO GO THERE! The first time I drove all the way to the end, Key West. Completely oblivious to all the stuff I was passing by and missing. Totally mesmerized by the scenes of ocean to one side and Gulf to the other, flats, mangrove, houses on concrete stilts, seemingly marinas every where, the changing colors of the water as clouds past over and the time of day changed, birds I’d never seen other than travel clips, nests perched high atop utility poles, remnants of the Flagler train route, people fishing off bridges and shoreline, boats going out to points unknown, lighthouses of all kinds and shapes, skidoos weaving around in small bays, palm trees and tropical foliage of all sorts, beaches with boats and kayaks pulled up on them,  RV’s of all types makes and models,  freighters on the distant horizon, seeing colors and moods of the water change on both the Gulf side and the Atlantic side, short glimpses of  resort looking areas. On and on it went for about 3 ½ hours. Finally Key West and the Florida Straits. Well that first time put me, how do some phrase it, “off the rails”, “gone native”, “off the charts”! So this is what a vacation in the Florida Keys is all about. Little did I know, I had only scratched the surface.

My experience, over these 38 years, is that one has to remember that it is plus or minus 100 miles to travel your Florida Keys vacation and these miles are NOT like getting on an expressway going 70mph and covering it all in an hour and a half. Keep 3 ½ to 4 plus hours, in mind, to drive straight thru. I’ve found that sort of hop-scotching down the Florida Keys and then back up will get the most of the experience. It would be excellent if you write down on a “crib” sheet, what TOTAL highlights you would desire to do on your vacation to the Florida Keys. You can easily adjust but, plan on doing half of them on the way down and the other half on the way back. This will give you a feel of excitement and involvement as well as a sense of relaxation and not running around with your hair on fire!  For example, if you’re into camping, do your camping on the way down. Depending on the time you have, and I’m not going to say one length of time is better than another (I’ve done it all sorts of ways),  the key is to identify types of things you want to do. Some will involve more action type of activities and others will involve more laid back or sedentary types of things. Using my camping idea, spend a couple of days in an area you would like to do "camping out" types of things. Maybe some shore fishing, a kayak tour, eco tour, maybe just some shut down time at the local beach or shopping. Do some scuba diving or snorkeling. I will provide NUMEROUS linkages to point directions I’ve already gone and plan on doing in the near and distant future, as we proceed along here. My point is that these activities require time to set up tents, or RV, cooking time, cleanup, etc.

I think you will agree your energy level is at a peak in the beginning and tends to wane as your  vacation time goes on. As you get closer to Key West, that is the time to start looking for all those creature comfort amenities. This is not to say that you should not take advantage of all the fine accommodations, restaurants, etc. on the way down if you wish. Either way is great.  But you can catch these same places on the way back up. Either way, don’t try to do everything on the way down. I guarantee you’ll be worn out when you get to Key West. Getting use to the “island mentality” is an art. You need to adapt, slow down, relax, do it when you want to do it. You’re not due at work or anywhere you’re use to going. YOU make the schedule. You may even try to schedule 3 or 4 or 5 things in one day. Don’t do it! Cut that in half if not more.