Saturday – April 23, 2011
Key West was a lot of fun and we decided that we would like to return during the winter when the weather is cooler and NOT during a holiday weekend. We didn’t have a reservation for tonight and didn’t want to pay an exorbitant rate for a room to sleep in, so we decided to leave The Keys.
View From the Overseas Highway
We checked out and drove north along the dual lane Overseas Highway. Traffic was heavy in both directions. Southbound traffic was heavier with people driving to Key West for the Easter Weekend. The speed-limit drops to 35 MPH frequently and many people sight-see along the highway and drive slowly. Again it took almost three hours to drive off The Keys.
Traffic Going Onto The Keys
We were planning to drive north on the western side of Florida and eventually reach home. It was about 12:30 (lunchtime) when we reached Florida City/Homestead. We stopped at the same Cracker Barrel that we had stopped at when we arrived at The Keys. After lunch we found Route 997, but it was so slow that we abandoned it and drove north on the toll-road Route 75, which runs along western Miami.
The Everglades Parkway
After a short time, we turned west onto Routes 41/90 and crossed the famous swamp known as the Everglades. Further north Route 75 also runs east and west across the Everglades. Rt. 75 is the most popular road with an assortment of colorful names such as: Tamiami Trail, the Everglades Parkway, and Alligator Alley.
We wanted to cross the Everglades on the lesser-known road, Route 41, also called The East Tamiami Trail. In the beginning of the road, we wondered if we had made the right choice, because it was narrow and followed a deep canal. This road was built in 1928 is about 264 miles long. On the left there were commercial air-boat companies selling rides in the Everglades.
Flat Part of the Everglades
Most of this part of this huge wetlands was flat and uninteresting. Later there were larger trees and plants along the two-lane road. We also passed several Indian villages on both sides of the road. The most fun was seeing signs warning drivers of “Panther Crossing” and “Alligator Crossing”.
Native American Village
It took us almost two hours to cross the Everglades and drive into the beautiful city of Naples, Florida. It was early evening, the sun was setting, and the broad streets were empty because it was the day before Easter. While I drove through the Everglades, Jeff consulted his iPhone to look for a hotel in town. We have had such good luck with the Hampton Inns that we decided to continue to use them. He found a Hampton Inn directly on Route 41 in Naples.
The Gulf of Mexico
We had been driving in the car all day and were were “car-tired”, but our goal today was to see the Gulf of Mexico and the west coast of Florida. We drove to the beach and found a beautiful calm coast. Then to take a break! Again the Hampton Inn came through for us: very clean, modern, free internet, free parking, free breakfast, nice people, large room with sitting area, and all for $89.00 per night. We were happy!
Houses Along the Gulf
We rested for a while then we drove out into Naples, Florida to have dinner. The iPhones are ideal to find a hotel or a restaurant. All we do is open the Maps App to the place that we’re going and type in what we want, for example: “restaurants”. Then the map lists all the local restaurants in one click!
Looking South Along the Gulf
Jeff found a well established restaurant named Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room down by the harbor. Their card advertises, “Serving Sealicious Seafood Since 1952 – Stone Crabs: October 15 thru May 15”. The Fish House was located right on the water with commercial fishing boats down a row of old wooden buildings.
Fish House Restaurant
I had never eaten stone crabs, but I love Maryland crabs, and the stone crabs were in season. They are thick crabs with black points on the ends of their claws. I couldn’t miss the opportunity, so I had “sealicious” stone crabs, as they were listed on the menu. They were very fresh and delicious! Jeff had yummy fresh fried shrimp. You can’t beat fresh seafood!
