Bahia Honda and Key West – our first 2 weeks in the lower keys – March 8 – 21, 2024
We originally had 19 nights booked in the lower keys – 14 at Bahia Honda State Park (not waterfront) and 5 at Curry Hammock State Park (right across from the dump station). We managed to pick up some cancellations, improving our campsites and extending our stay in the lower keys to 28 nights. We shortened our planned visit at John Pennekamp State Park from 14 days, to 2 days. We had never been there, but no other campers even mentioned it, so we assumed it wasn’t great. This post will cover the first half of our time in the lower keys. We s.pent the entire two weeks at Bahia Honda State Park
When we drove to Bahia Honda last year, it was the Saturday before Easter. We also drove through Miami. Avoiding Miami, this year, and driving on a normal Friday was much easier. We were very happy that there was no smelly Sargassum seaweed in the area (at least not yet), like last year.
We had scoped out all of the campsites last year, so we knew ours would be decent, even if it wasn’t oceanfront. It was just a short walk to a fishing area, near the bridge, which was a perfect waterfront place to drink coffee in the morning. It is a fairly large park, with lots of areas to walk or run to, including 2 beaches, a nice gift shop, a marina, 3 campgrounds and section of the Old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge restored for walking and as a scenic overlook.
During our first two weeks, we went to some places we discovered last year and also some new places. We took two trips into Key West. The first was to meet up with some Maui friends for an afternoon/evening. We went to Hog’s Breath Saloon, Sloppy Joe’s, Sunset Pier and Angelina’s Pizzeria. These are all places we went to, when we first visited back in the early 2000’s.
The second visit to Key West was on St. Patrick’s Day. We had reserved a room at an historic inn and took the bus to Key West. The bus stop was right across from the park entrance. It was only $4 and we didn’t have to worry about parking our large, HD truck overnight. It was a great way to experience Key West at night, without a long drive home. The inn was located toward the more quiet end of town. It housed a cozy little rum bar. Most people who know us, no we don’t usually drink fancy cocktails, but we received coupons for a free Painkiller at the bar. They were delicious!!!. They used fresh ground nutmeg and a very smooth dark rum. I plan to attempt making these at home.
We learned that the big St. Patrick’s Day celebration, including the parade, was the day before, but there was plenty of activity in town. We were not disappointed at missing the craziness. We walked around town, had a great mexican dinner, listened to some live music and met some very cool people. We especially enjoyed walking around town in the morning. We had a great breakfast and went to the Hemmingway Museum. We hopped on the bus and returned to the campground before town became really busy again.
Driving across the Seven Mile Bridge toward Bahia Honda State Park. Yayyy, we’re back!!! On the right is the old bridge, part of which has been restored as a hiking and biking trail.We wanted to max out our useable space in this campsite and we did! The slideout missed the fence by less than a half inch. We had a space of an inch or two in the back. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a shot of the entire campsite. Bahia Honda State Park, site #28Ibis enjoying the puddle at our campsite. After it rained, we had a waterfront site, afterall. Bahia Honda State Park, site #28This is one of our favorite places – great view, friendly staff, nice breeze, great food and great live music on the weekends. There is limited seating so over 21 only, but dogs are welcome. (Lots of seating for families on the lower level) Keys Fisheries Upstairs Bar, Marathon, FLKeys Fisheries Seafood Market and Restaurant is very popular. It is our favorite place to buy seafood in the area. There is often a long line of people, stretching into the parking lot, waiting to order lunch or dinner.Keys Fisheries Upstairs Bar, Marathon, FLStone crab claws with mustard sauce at Key’s Fisheries, Marathon, FLMorning coffee at a fishing area at Bahia Honda State ParkThis section of the Old Bahia Honda Rail Bridge was restored as a walkway and scenic lookout in Bahia Honda State Park. Calusa beach is in the background. In the distance and to the left is the campground.Sand sculpture near the nature center at Bahia Honda State Park. Most of this, except for the Lego man, withstood a couple of torrential rainstorms.Mural near the beach at Bahia Honda State ParkThe daily blowing of the conch shell ceremony at sunset, near the bridge at Bahia Honda State Park.Sunset at Bahia Honda State ParkBeach day at Loggerhead Beach, Bahia Honda State Park. During our stay last year, this beach was closed because the Sargassum Seaweed resulted in high levels of bacteria. This side of the park smelled terrible! This year, there was just the usual seagrass.Live music at Dockside, Marathon FL. We went there often to enjoy the extremely affordable happy hour and listen to music. We also met many very cool people there.At Mallory Square in Key West, with friends, Dan and Julie. We drove in to Key West, one day, to spend and afternoon and evening with them. We met them in Maui a couple of years ago. They live on the west side of Michigan. Mallory Square has changed since our visits there in the early 2000’s. It used to be fairly busy, with many different street performers. Now, there is a parking lot, large crowd and only 2 street performers.Speakeasy Inn and Rum Bar, Key West, FL It was home to a rum-runner during Prohibition.Speakeasy Inn and Rum Bar, Key West, FLCaptain, the resident cat at Speakeasy Inn and Rum Bar, Key West, FLOur first ever Painkillers at Speakeasy Inn and Rum Bar, Key West, FLOur room at the Speakeasy Inn and Rum Bar, Key West, FL. It also had a private bathroom and kitchenette.On St. Patrick’s day, we listened to a very talented band at Hog’s Breath Saloon Key West, FLWe have been streaming Pirate Radio Key West WKYZ, since we were here last year. We have been listening to adds for the Cuban Coffee Queen, so we had to check it out. When all of Key West was quiet in the morning, there were people lined up there.Very tasty cafe con leche and breakfast sandwiches at the Cuban Coffee Queen, Key West, FL. Now we know what all the hype is about.Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West, FL We are pretty certain they use variable pricing for entry fees. We did not visit last year because it was extremely expensive (town was very busy).Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West, FLErnest Hemingway’s writing studio Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West, FLPolydactyl cat paws. The descendants of Hemingway’s polydactyl (many-toed) cats still live at his home. There are about 60 cats. The are all clearly, well-cared for and content. Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West, FLPhotos of Hemingway’s boat, Pilar, at the Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West, FLThe famous Southernmost Point in Key West. From there it is 90 miles to Cuba. To get a photo next to the buoy, you must wait in line for 20 minutes or more.Near the Southernmost Point in Key West. In the background is the Naval Air Station to the left and the Southernmost House, to the right.Slushie, celebrating the first day of spring at Bahia Honda State Park.
