Key West

[Freeda II]

We will be at Port St Lucie RV Resort, Florida in February. Once we leave this area we will be heading to Ocala North RV Park, Ocala. I would like to take a trip down to Key West. We have about 10 days to do this trip and was hoping to get some ideas from those MOC members as to how best to travel this route, where to stay, and what to see.

[HughM]

Boy Oh Boy do we love the Keys!! We go every year and were there for a month last October and will be back for the month of May. We take I95 to US1...easy route. No Flying J's, T&A, or Pilot's truck stops. However each service plaza has gas and diesel at reasonable rates. Note that they exit to the LEFT on I95 and it's in the median so both north and south use the same pumps.
On Grassy Key is Jolly Roger campground. Some campsites are right on the water. They face the gulf side. There is a sidewalk next to the water and right behind the campers. Each evening at dark you can see dozens and dozens of huge lobster coming out from under the sidewalk. Marathron Key is not far away for restaurants. Good food in Marathron Key where you eat on the water and feed the fish at the same time. It's north on 35th street to the gulf.
Everything in the Keys are by milemarker and oceanside or gulfside.
The farther you go in the Keys the more expensive camping will be.
In Key West go to the roof of the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza (take 2 elevators) for a view of the entire Key. It is beautiful. Also the Sunset Festival in Key West...bring your camera. Don't forget to go to the Southern Most Part of the U.S.
On days that a cruise ship doesn't dock at Key West you can rent a motor scooter or golf cart to tour. Parking is at a premiun. Late in the day...offer less than the going price..they'll take it for the golf type carts.
Good State Parks in the Keys are Curry Hammock, Bahia Honda. Hard to get into but worth the effort.
Hugh

[sailer]

Send a PM to exnavydiver as he is almost a native down there from years past;;sailer

We have stayed at fiesta key and at blue water key rv resort at mile marker 15 in 2009 in may $80.00 a day
sunshine key resort mile marker 39 ,,,,any place is crowed on friday and sat nite as lots of kids from fl try for the other 5 days sailer

[sailer]

in ocala we stay at the wandering oaks rv park ..they are a passport park and very large sites..
this year instead of the keys sharon wants to go to St Augestine ,FL for a week in may Bluewater key rv park is like heaven as its all blk top and paver brick with huts its top notch sailer

[Exnavydiver]

You don't need to PM me I am right here, if you are retired or active military you can stay at NAS Key West for 20 bucks a night, 2wks FHU, 2wks boondock. If not then it gets a bit expensive the farther south you go. In the upper Keys you will pay from 60 to 90 dollars a night during high winter season (from now till April). Farther towards KW the higher it gets. There is only one CG in or around KW and that is Boyd's on Stock Island. 4 miles from KW. Here is a link to their rates. A lot of bucks... Good Luck... Dave

[8.1al]

A must is Mallory Square in Key West at sunset

[Parrothead]

One of my very favorite places. Do the Conch Train first thing - this will give you a view of the whole island and a lot of history. Agree with Charlie - got to celebrate the sunset. Go a little early before sunset - lot to see. Hemmingway home is very interesting even if you are not a fan. There are several great museums. One of the best things we have done is the PT boat ride. It is down where the cruise ships come in. You see a lot of the island and history and it is a lot of fun.
Have a great time - I envy you.
Happy trails.......................

[HughM]

Another must is Mel Fisher's museum in Key West. Lots of history and you can hold a 400 yr old gold bar. It's encased in a protective case...sticky fingers eliminated.
Hugh

[adelmoll]

We are just on our way back to our place in Ocala from Key West. We got as far as Naples where we are right now but will be leaving here on Tuesday. You can read all about it on our blog below... Lots of pictures too.

Helen

[sailer]

Well Helen if you are in Naples and then going north to Ocala you should turn around and go back to the keys as it is a cold week,,frost tonight;;;sailer

[mgdg]

The easiest way to Key West from Ocala is to take I-75 south to 951 south toward Marco Island. Turn left at 41 and take the back roads. I`ve been through I-95 to Miami etc. and it sucks, taking 41 is stress free. You will go through Homestead and Fla. City. I forget the Highway heading south off 41, but a Casino is on the left where you turn. At the end of this road you will make a quick left then right and will be on Highway 1. I`m heading that way March 12-26 2010 but staying on Marathon Key this time.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Don't forget to do some Para-Sailing, much fun. Other have listed great ideas. Carry lots of MONEY. GBY....

[Freeda II]

Great information. Thank you all for all the info.
Andy

[dsprik]

A winter coat might not be a bad idea right now... High of 60 there today. Having a little trouble with Old Man Winter trying to spend a little bit of R & R in FL. Miami is under a winter advisory tonight and tomorrow night - frost... Much of this weather is pushing into Key West for a week or so...

Forecast for Monroe/Lower Keys
Updated: 4:00 PM EST on January 4, 2010

Tonight
Increasing cloudiness and becoming windy. Lows 48 to 53. Northwest to north winds increasing to near 20 mph.

Tuesday
Partly cloudy and breezy. Highs 55 to 60. Northwest to north winds 15 to 20 mph.

58 for highs through this week. End of Feb SHOULD be a much better.

[scductman]

We stayed at stock island app 100$ per night but it a beautiful trip down and back and a fun place to see. we would love to go back.
bobby