Finally- weeks later I've been able to get around to blogging about our trip to the keys!! It's been a year since we have traveled on a "real" vacation, so Josh and I decided to treat ourselves with some of the money we've saved up to go to the keys for a week to celebrate our one year anniversary (there's a benefit to thrifting a majority of the time.. it sure saves you money that you can later use on fun stuff!). It being the off-season, things were a bit more affordable as far as accommodations in the keys (but still more pricey than your cheap hotel you can find on the main land).. but by packing our own food and stocking up on produce we were able to save some money from eating out for every meal while staying vegan and healthy at the same time. We also took advantage of lots of free activities in addition to adventures that cost money so we could even it all out. We brought the dogs with us, which made the trip a lot more fun, as they were able to partake in about half of the things we did while on vacation. The keys are surprisingly pet-friendly so we had little difficulty in finding places to stay and activities to do that included Weiner and Manny.
Our first day, we headed down to the keys, with our first destination being Key West; the last and farthest southern key. We broke up time by staying in Homestead the day before so that we could make it to Key West by late morning the next day. (Key West is about 3 hours south of Homestead, and Homestead is about 5 hours south of Gainesville where we live).
In order to get a full day in, we had to find a dog-friendly activity in Key West or somewhere along the way since our hotel check in was not until 3. We decided to go kayaking at Lazy Dog Adventures, where you can take your dog kayaking with you! They also offer paddle boarding, yoga, and eco-tours. For $25 a person (and dogs free!) you can take either one or two kayaks. The price is for a half day (4 hours) which is plenty of time especially with hot dogs. They told us they don't keep track of time and we could stay out as long as we wanted until they closed... but the 4 hour mark just hit by the time we were ready to go back. Since managing the dogs was already a chore, we attempted to fit all 4 of us onto one two person kayak so we could both work to keep them inside the boat and also both be there if one were to fall out (which happened many times). At first it was rocky but we got a system down once the dogs were comfortable and enjoying the ride (and after both dogs fell in a few times). We endured a rainstorm where we had to take cover in a mangrove forest, paddled past beautiful homes along the canal, and explored an entire mangrove forest that was easy to get lost in; the beauty was surreal, and we got to check out a mangrove nursery with juvenile sea life including anemones, sea urchins, sea stars, and upside down jellies. It was beautiful. The dogs got to swim a little and just enjoyed the view and the breeze. Once we got back to the dock, a manatee was hanging out there. Manatees are common in Florida, but it's still a sight to behold if you get to ever see one close to shore. This guy was thirsty; although they live in the water, it's too salty to drink and freshwater can be hard to come by. This guy was getting a nice long drink from the freshwater hose at the marina.. and it was fun to watch! Manny enjoyed meeting the manatee... after all, Manny T was named after a manatee since he's such a gentle giant (and was formerly known as the "cow" at the shelter because of his black and white markings... so we figured a "sea cow" would be close enough and well suiting).
After kayaking we were able to check into our resort. Banana Bay was amazing! We got a much more discounted rate on Expedia, but once we checked in we overhead people just walking in that day getting a rate of $120/night. We had paid more on Expedia so after telling them that this was a special vacation for our anniversary and how upset we were, they refunded us our money so we could get the special rate. For a resort in Key West that includes breakfast (oatmeal and tea was good enough for vegan me!), is pet friendly (with no breed restrictions, size restrictions OR pet fee!), and has a huge pool/hot tub and private beach- we had no complaints. The room was gorgeous and we had no issue having the dogs with us there.. even in the pool area where we used the outdoor shower to bathe them after the beach and private beach area. The staff was friendly, and their soaps and shampoos they provide are vegetable based and all natural in recyclable packaging.. definitely a score for us. I highly recommend this place.
We went out and explored the town of Key West. We walked up and down Duval street; the famous stretch of town known for it's boutiques, upscale designer stores, cheap t-shirt and souvenir shops, restaurants, and lots and lots of bars. We checked out Mallory Square and the sunset festival; where they have street performers, vendors, and crowds in front of a beautiful sunset that would be only more perfect if there wasn't an island smack in the middle of it. We went to The Cafe- a vegan and vegetarian restaurant that also has meat and fish, but specializes in unique options that we were able to enjoy. Here I was able to get vegan key lime cheese cake which was amazing! I definitely recommend going here for a meal if you're in Key West.
We went to Ernest Hemingway's house for a tour; I went there years ago when I visited Key West but I forgot most of what I learned (or it's possible I wasn't really paying attention back then..) and we learned a lot of interesting things about his life, and got to meet the menagerie of six toed cats that are real decedents of Hemingway's own cats.
We went to the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory; of course, even though I work at a butterfly museum, it's still nice to get a taste of other ones and this one I haven't been to for a while. They have 2 resident flamingos there now that were rescued from up north. Beautiful as always and has a great butterfly gift shop, well worth checking out.
We stopped at the very tip of Key West; the southernmost point, only 90 miles away from Cuba.
We visited a dog beach; a nice small beach area with a rocky shoreline in between two lots, but it was just too small and close to the road so we were nervous to leave them off leash. It was also next door to a restaurant with outdoor deck seating and Manny and Weiner chose to run towards all the people eating on the deck instead of playing on the beach which ended in disaster... so we headed to a nature trail that led us to a private beach where dogs could go off leash. Weiner enjoys searching for dead stuff and rolling in it.. so she stayed on her leash and Manny enjoyed roaming into the warm shallow waters playing fetch with a coconut that had fallen on the beach.
We went to Fort Zachory Taylor State Park. We did some great snorkeling right from the shore and saw assorted tropical species of fish. The beaches were nice, and there were trails including a walk to the historic fort. Beautiful state park and best place for a beach trip in Key West.
On our last day in Key West, we checked out the Eco-discovery center which is a neat little natural history museum that talks about the history of the keys and the natural habitats. We even watched a film on Mehgan Heaney-Grier, a famous free-diver and conservationist. We then checked out the Key West cemetery which is overrun by invasive iguanas, and is a really neat site to just walk around. We stopped at a health food store and restaurant called Help Yourself on our way out where I got an amazing bagel with cashew cream cheese, avocado, and tomato YUM! We got some tasty vegan snacks for the day too.
Our next key to check out was Big Pine Key, nearby Ramrod Key where our next resort was located. Since again, we had the dogs for the day before we could check in, we took them to the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine on our mission to find some endangered key deer, a miniature version of the common white-tailed deer that is found just in the Florida Keys. We found a few on our drive down to the refuge that were crossing the road. We checked out a pretty site called "blue hole" and did a hike at the end of the key that consisted of limestone, heat resistant plants, quick-sand like mud, and a wasteland at the tip that led out to a beautiful blue ocean. It was hot, and we got lost for a short time out there as the trail wasn't well marked and we were sure that ourselves and the dogs were going to die from the heat even with an ample water supply. We checked out the Visitor Center which is located in the Winn Dixie shopping plaza, well worth it for some education and fun gifts. They were really kind and let us bring the dogs in too. We later drove over to No Name Key, a nearby island connected by bridge that was overrun by key deer down every single residential street. We probably saw over 20 on each road, and they came right on up to our car looking for handouts. It's against the law to feed the deer since they are endangered and protected- with the fear that they will lose their ability to forage in the wild. They also become a nuisance to residents and they aren't allowed to do anything that can harm the deer even if it's in an effort to save their landscaping and plants on their property. Rule of thumb here-- you may look, but do not feed the key deer! They may even lick your hands.. no rules broken though if you don't have food :)
The resort we stayed at in Ramrod key called Looe Key Reef Resort, offered boat rides out to the protected Looe Key Reef with diving or snorkeling. We were well overdue for a dive (it's been a year since our last one, which was when we were certified!) so we figured we should take advantage of the opportunity. Looe key reef is protected which is why it's one of the largest living reefs left in the keys. It was so beautiful.. such a diversity of fish, sharks, eels and rays. Snorkeling or diving, the reef was beautiful! We had some issues with our room and when they apologized and asked if they could do anything for us I suggested possibly letting us have a free dive trip on them.. and they agreed! They even watched our dogs for us in the dive shop as it was after our check out time. We got in a total of 3 dives, and used the last dive opportunity to snorkel in the reef just to get a different perspective. So beautiful, I definitely recommend diving or snorkeling in this beautifully preserved underwater natural ecosystem.
There is a tiki bar at the Resort, didn't offer much for us to eat, however they did make us special veggie tacos during their $1 taco night. If you're into meat and seafood, then it's a nice local hangout spot and they provide live music every night. For our other meals we packed lunch, and headed to a Chinese restaurant in the Winn Dixie plaza down the road, since not only are there vegan options, but we could quickly get some tasty food to take out and eat on our porch area of our hotel, and it was affordable. Some other amazing vegan cafes we stumbled upon in the keys include Good Food Conspiracy in Big Pine Key, and Food for Thought, later during our trip in Marathon. They both had amazing healthy food options, a smoothie bar and a full market of health foods. It was heaven. A little pricey on the island but still worth it if you want to keep up with a healthy/organic lifestyle. At Good Food Conspiracy, I got an amazing sub style sandwich on whole grain bread, with Avocado, homemade pesto, an assortment of veggies, melted vegan cheese and topped with sprouts. I will never forget that tasty sandwich- one of the best I've ever had. We stocked up on some more organic jelly for our daily sandwiches. At Food for Thought, Josh and I shared a portobello burger with the most amazing sauce in the world, and a wrap of lentil meatballs and veggies. Both with tasty side salads, and followed by a pint of coconut milk ice cream in chocolate mint, nothing could have been better for a full packed lunch before a day of exploring the wondrous world of Bahia Honda- our next stop.
We spent a day at Bahia Honda State Park- recommended to us by many and we could easily see why. White sanded beaches, crystal blue lukewarm waters, and the view of the old rail bridge that is no longer in use. We enjoyed some snorkeling, exploring, walking down the old bridge, and checking out their nice gift shop and concession stand. They offer delicious treats (limited for vegans) but inclusive of key lime pie- a traditional favorite. The gift shop is better than most of them I've seen and we were able to snag some organic sunscreen there. A butterfly garden and trails complete this park to be an all day adventure for families, couples, and groups of friends.
Our next key was Marathon- packed with enough to do for a single trip itself. We stayed at Blackfin Resort and Marina, which had a beautiful view of the sunset, a nice garden, and despite saying online that pets can't be left alone in the room they told us that was fine as long as they don't bark and carry on for long. Again, no complimentary breakfast but we were able to make some smoothies in the room with produce we got from a local fruit stand, and the hemp protein and spirolina powder we packed with our ninja, and heat up some oats we packed.
We explored Curry Hammock State Park and Long Key State Parks- both beautiful natural areas for walking around and water sports but not much beach. They didn't compare to Bahia Honda, but we wanted to check out every natural area possible just to get to explore different natural habitats in the keys and of course take advantage of our annual state park pass.
The best beach area in Marathon is Sombrero beach, a free local beach that is also pet friendly. We went here twice while in Marathon and us and the dogs enjoyed it! Clean and gorgeous, this is an essential stop while visiting the keys. There is also a dog park nearby but we didn't need to go there since ours got their exercise on the beach!
We visited Crane Point, which is a historical protected site filled with nature and wildlife. One of the only preserved areas left on the keys it's nice to learn about it's history while getting a personal tour of the entire area. On the property is a Wild Bird Rescue facility where birds of all kinds are rescued, treated, and rehabilitated from injuries varying from fishing line entanglements to permanent blindness. Most of their birds get released into the wild after they recover from treatment but those that don't become permanent residents of the sanctuary. The main visitor center and gift shop also has a natural history museum.
Another place worth checking out is Pigeon Key, but for lack of time we didn't get to go. It's a key only accessible by ferry, since the 7 mile bridge that leads to it is currently under construction. We did check out the visitor center though which had some cool stickers and other souvenirs. That night we walked part of the 7 mile bridge, an amazing view for the sunset.
Our last stop in Marathon, the top of my personal to do list for the whole trip, was visiting the Turtle Hospital. The Turtle hospital rescues, rehabilitates and releases sea turtles in the Florida keys. They offer tours throughout their facilities which provide an informative presentation, show the hospital, and of course the area where they keep the sea turtles where you can meet each of their patients. Most turtles get treated and are then released once they are better... some of which can take up to a year to be symptom free before being released. Some turtles with permanent injuries such as being hit by boats which can cause an air bubble under their shell, will cause the turtle to constantly float, and can only survive at the hospital's facilities where they add weights to the turtle's shell and assist them with eating so they can survive. The main cause of most of their patients though, besides "bubble butt" (floating from being hit by boats) and cysts is ingesting things that are NOT food, such as plastic bags, balloons and fishing line. These wasteful items wind up in our oceans and sea turtles easily mistake them for food (especially because they closely resemble jelly fish, a staple food for many species of sea turtles). ways in which you can easily help is by NOT using plastic bags (use reusable totes instead!), do not buy or release balloons! Dispose of fishing line properly and don't leave it on beaches, boats, or in the water ever. This is deadly to sea turtles and other animals too.
On our way out of the keys, we stopped at Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park to do a quick hike, a few scenic spots along the sides of the highway; just surrounded by beautiful blue, and at Robbie's in Islamadora, another recommendation from a few friends where we did tarpon feeding, and walking around their shopping area with vendors and artisans. You can also go kayaking and fishing at Robbie's. Both places were dog friendly so they were perfect places to explore with Manny and Weiner.
Our favorite fruit stand of all time has always been Robert Is Here. They are a big tourist stop offering tropical produce, a gift shop, a huge zoo/farm out back, jams, jellies, hot sauces, honey and dressings, and milkshakes in over 50 fruit flavors including key lime. We stopped on our way down and back, but realized there are a lot of more affordable small scale produce stands in Homestead right around the corner down Krome Ave. where we got amazing bulks of produce for a fraction of the cost at Robert's. However, for the experienece, Robert's is well worth a stop. If you're not satisfied with something you can tell Robert or bring it back- he will make good because he's great with wanting to satisfy his customers.
Overall our trip was incredible- one to always remember. A tropical paradise only a day's drive away for us, and worth the farther commute for others that don't live in Florida. A hidden gem in the southern most part of the United States, and well worth exploring. I hope if you ever visit the keys you'll take some of these recommendations with you on your trip! We were able to save money and still had an amazing time doing many outdoor adventures and nature seeing trips, most of which included our 4 legged children.
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