We drove to Key Largo on the Monday of Memorial Day which was very busy with all sorts of traffic on the Overseas Highway.
Having left late we still had to have breakfast which we determined to have en route. However, so had everyone else leaving Key West. And everyone had plumped for the same roadside hostelry. It could easily accommodate a crowd which there most definitely was. But could not so easily accommodate actually making food for one.
So an hour later we were told that the husband's choice which included corned beef, was not available. Amid profuse apologies, the owner came and spoke to us and breakfast was on the house. So the husband chose steak. Not because it was on the house but because it was all he fancied, honest.
The service albeit embarrassingly apologetic, was good so they got a good tip. And we didn't give them anything else. By this time the breakfast was really a lunch.
We headed back on to the highway at snail's pace and crawled along to Key Largo. We headed off the road for a short stop at Long Key State Park and it seemed so had others. It was pleasant for a wee chill and then back on the road.
The hotel was just off the main highway and was perfectly pleasant. Situated on the water, well most things are, it had a small beach and a nice pool bar alongside. We partook of a small cocktail/beer or two and got some much needed rest after our unexpectedly long drive.
In the evening we walked next door to the local bar which was a bit of a dive before buying some of our own beer at a local convenience store and taking them down to the beach of the hotel. It was very pleasant, warm but not too hot, peaceful and pretty.
The next day we decided to head out on the African Queen, of Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn fame. The actual boat used in the film is berthed in Key Largo and does short cruises from the jetty. Barely more than a tin can, this is no luxury yacht, but a fun hour or so passed with the captain come historian regaling us with all you needed to know about the African Queen. It was pretty hot though.
We headed down towards Islamorada for some lunch and found a small bar which boasted a jam night that very Tuesday evening. So after lunch and a chill in the afternoon we headed back in the evening for a very pleasant couple of hours at the jam. No Maurice did not get up and play, but perhaps he should have. The quality of entertainment varied from very good to rather sad. It was very busy and certainly a popular place with what appeared to be locals since many knew each other. And everyone was very friendly to we visitors. The place was again right on the water and the sunset behind us was lovely.
Back to the hotel and our few beers on the beach and we had completed our pitstop at Key Largo.