We pack light bags for 5 days away as we head south on our Bromptons - passing Vizcaya Estate, a beautiful historic house and gardens, to pick up the Bike route "The East Coast Greenway". This follows the linear park under the overhead metro rail. After about 25 miles the elevated rail stops and we parallel Highway 1 on the lightly trafficked Old Dixie Highway, another 10 miles to Florida City. From here there is only the busy dual carriageway to Key Largo. Online info discourages cycling this part, so we hop on the express bus. A comfy fast coach, about a quarter full of passengers, and costing us totally just $5 for a 30 mile trip! We are the only non black passengers. The height of the coach means we get a panoramic view across the south Everglades and the eastern Keys as we travel, and bonus views of both Osprey and Belted Kingfisher adjacent to the road.
The helpful lady driver drops us right outside our hotel - mid afternoon. The tiny hotel has only 10 rooms, little bungalows with a private white sand beach - we test drive the hammocks, easier to get into than out of.
Our next door neighbours are a retired couple from Bolton - he is an avid road cyclist! We chat and drink cold beer at outside tables until the sun goes down.
Location:Key Largo
