1-0

Let battle commence, onward then to alligator alley. In preparation it’s Humans 1, Alligators 0, as Mrs Fogg tucks in sauted Alligator for her evening meal last night.

20140425-085746.jpg

Change of Plans

There’s nothing like being spontaneous. Today we decided to keep going a little more and headed to Florida City. So here we are, a day ahead of ourselves having a nice rest in a near empty pool.

Tomorrow is Gator Alley…..apparently tonnes of gators on either side of the road PLUS lots of Mosquitos.

My brave Mr Fogg , clearly having seen too many Bear Grillis documentaries is proposing to purchase duct tape so he could spring on top of an advancing gator, grab it’s mouth and tape it before it can eat me. I love this romantic gesture……or is he thinking to protect our nice shiny bike???

20140424-163838.jpg

It’s Hooking Fot

Yup it’s officially H*O*T 84.2 today and the only respite from the heat was a bike ride with 6 mph winds where even the wind hitting you was scorching your flesh or heating up your black helmet, jacket and trousers.

Our 75 mile journey to Florida City saw us skirt into the Everglades before tomorrow’s mammoth hike on the Tamaimi Trail or Alli Alley (gulp). I had a hair cut with Ann from New Yak as she called it and a Triple Zero buzz cut, although how you get triple zero I have no idea.

The trek tomorrow is approx 125 miles through the glades and the chance to see gators sunning themselves on the road. Tip for all you bikers out there, if you are driving near nasty hungry beasties, always carry a pillion passenger that can’t run faster than you!

20140424-163634.jpg

20140424-163645.jpg

20140424-163654.jpg

518

That’s how many miles we have driven since picking up the bike 7 days ago and considering we have only spent £33 on gas it’s not a bad way to travel.

A much shorter trip today from Key West to Marathon sat between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic,, with an equal length journey tomorrow before we embark on the trip across alligator alley (are we looking forward to that or not).

So a nice dip in the hotel pool and before that a chance to see some performing mammals.

20140423-181348.jpg

Oh yes and there is also the two of us enjoying a heatwave at 27 degrees in thick Kevlar jeans with armour and full armour bike jackets, whilst everyone else rides in flip flops, shorts and t-shirts. Plus a final view of the original 7 mile bridge which was only 8 foot wide.

20140423-181709.jpg

20140423-181725.jpg

20140424-090526.jpg

Fourteen Mile Bridge

Yup here we are at the 14 Mile Bridge in The Florida Keys.

It’s actually 7 miles each way and the only link between the mainland US and the Keys, but such a cool run.

The first 2 pics are from the US mainland side looking at the keys

20140423-120824.jpg

20140423-120923.jpg

The next pictures were taken by stunt woman Mrs Fog as we sped across from the keys at 55mph on out Electra Glide.

20140423-121301.jpg

20140423-121314.jpg

20140423-121324.jpg

Goodbye Key West

It’s been a nice visit over the last two nights but it’s our favourite part- moving on.

Was Key West worth the drive? Yes and no. On the one hand this is just another seaside resort full of tatty gift shops and plenty of bars, and patrons sampling them until the early hours. It’s a party town full of party people enjoying the usual Happy Hours. If you only see Duval Street and Mallory Square along with many others then I think you’ve missed the heart of Key West.

Wandering further afield into and around the old town opens up a charming southern town, much akin to Savannah or St Augustine further north. A delightful mix of wooden clapperboard houses with sheltered verandas squished together really show what this island once must have looked like. Apparently it was far smaller once so they built houses so close together that there was no room for front yards or back yards, just tiny little tree lined alleys between properties so that your neighbour could get to their front door too.

The island was enlarged a long time ago and more houses built. Hemingway lived here, his house is behind Duval Street. They did not get mains water until 1948 and only then because the US Army moved onto the island to stare at Cuba more, so they laid a pipe. Before that, the residents used to collect water on the roof during rainy season and store it, making it last until the following year.

So I think I’d come back some time…

20140423-081648.jpg

20140423-081703.jpg

20140423-081711.jpg

20140423-085908.jpg

20140423-085941.jpg

20140423-085954.jpg

Better than Sex

Now what an idea for a restaurant? Create a restaurant that purely serves desserts. Drape it inside in sensual red velvets, candles and keep the lights low. Display sexy black and white pictures (all very tasteful). Then creat sumptuous desserts all with very sexual names.

Fancy going?? Hell yes. So we did. Even the drinks are all sexy! Definitely not a place for kiddies but nothing seedy, just a nice and intimate experience with a difference.

So to start we had a glass of pink champagne each- ah but with a twist, “Tia’s Tickler” comes with a glass draped in rich dark chocolate. The trick is to lick the chocolate and sip the bubbles. Bliss.

Next was the desserts. I chose Tongue Bath Truffle and Mr Fogg picked Cookie Nookie Pie. Both pure ecstasy.

Just look for yourself Better Than Sex

A very enjoyable and fun experience.

20140422-223924.jpg

20140422-223946.jpg

20140422-223554.jpg

20140422-223603.jpg

20140422-223616.jpg

20140422-223624.jpg

Bottom of the US

Here we are at the southern most point of the US, a mere 90 miles from Cuba. queuing behind the twotta generation who spend all day looking down at their phones updating everyone on their movements (not unlike a blog I guess).

20140422-145752.jpg

20140422-150011.jpg

Sunsets and Mojitos

A fun day wandering around the interesting city of Key West, the most southerly point of the US. Cool sunsets, interesting stores with a feel of Blackpool meets P-Town. The area is very non-discriminatory to any personal persuasions.

Yesterday saw shrimps by the bucket load, Margaritas and Mojitos, which appear to be Mrs Fogg’s new best fwend.

Today is another amble round the Conch Republic, more food and more relaxing before the hike back up the US1 and 7 mile bridge tomorrow, providing the out of control bush fire hasn’t closed it.

20140422-114818.jpg

20140422-114832.jpg

20140422-114928.jpg

20140422-115038.jpg