{"id":24932,"date":"2016-09-30T13:11:11","date_gmt":"2016-09-30T17:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/?p=24932"},"modified":"2016-09-30T13:18:29","modified_gmt":"2016-09-30T17:18:29","slug":"key-lime-pie-panthers-and-outlet-malls-rv-adventures-in-southern-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/key-lime-pie-panthers-and-outlet-malls-rv-adventures-in-southern-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Key lime pie, panthers and outlet malls \u2013 RV adventures in southern Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Got five days?\u00a0 \u201cMaximize your adventure opportunities with an RV.\u201d That was our mantra for the second part of our 2016 RV adventures in Southern Florida<\/strong>. \u00a0Picking up a 37\u2019 Class A Thor Challenger motorhome from Planet RV in Broward County, FL<\/a>, we were off in search of three of Florida\u2019s must-do activities.<\/p>\n

Key West, Florida<\/b><\/h1>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wanted to experience some of the most beautiful seaside locations in the US, Key West has to be right up near the top.\u00a0 Even the 120+ mile drive through the Florida Keys is a visual treat with the multi-hued Atlantic Ocean out one window and the Gulf of Mexico out the opposite window.\u00a0 Huge, puffy white cumulus clouds accent the deep blue skies making each passing bridge a post card worthy sight.<\/p>\n

\"Clouds<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Driving our Class A motorhome meant we could appreciate more than most.\u00a0 Sitting high above the cars around us, we already had a perfect line of sight to the horizon around us. Add to that a windshield big enough to swallow a cow, and we had a picture-framed vista for all these Rembrandt worthy scenes.<\/p>\n

Most windshields in passenger cars, no matter how large, are broken up with that rear view mirror smack in the middle.\u00a0 Chances are, even if there is a beautiful cloud formation above, you are only going to see the bottom of it. Not so in a Class A motorhome.\u00a0 From the dash to the ceiling, most grade school children could stand straight up in the front window. It\u2019s that tall\u2026and that makes for a great view. We even got to watch a waterspout as we crossed Marathon Key.<\/p>\n

\"sunset-pier-3156\"<\/a><\/p>\n

But all that was an unexpected bonus on our drive to Key West.\u00a0 We were actually heading there to watch the sunset from Sunset Pier and score some Key Lime pie and Sea Salt Caramel\u2019s from Sweet Pete\u2019s<\/a>. In addition, the Mahi tacos at Sunset Pier<\/a> were absolutely amazing, ranking right up there with the Lake Perch tacos in Put-In-Bay, Ohio<\/a>, also known at the “Key West of the Midwest”.<\/p>\n

If you travel this way, we\u2019d definitely recommend Boyd\u2019s Key West Campground<\/a>, just outside Key West on Stock\u00a0Island.\u00a0 Just outside their gates you can catch any of three buses that take you into downtown Key West<\/a>. Parking of RV\u2019s is not allowed in the city and their aren\u2019t any lots that seem to accommodate them either. \u00a0Here are some scenes from our first night in Key West:<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

The elusive Florida Panther<\/b><\/h1>\n

\"everglades-panther-5272\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Chances of seeing a wild panther during a drive to the Everglades are probably similar to those of winning the PowerBall lottery, but it was worth the chance.\u00a0 Driving to the southern tip of Everglades National Park<\/a> it was fun to watch how the surrounding vegetation changed, the further south we ventured, the thicker it got.\u00a0 Long story short \u2013 0 Panthers; 19,773 mosquitos.<\/p>\n