I make 2 or 3 trips a year down there. One is my annual November migration for the powerboat races. What do u want to do. Whats your budget??
Bahia Honda State park is a great camping area.

Maybe you could hook up with rtoms, I hear he has some killer bud

:D

I will be in Miami next weekend with the wife and kids I am leaving Friday and staying over until Sunday morning.

I have stayed at Bahia Honda a couple of times and it will not disappoint. Its right after the 7 mile bridge (yes its 7 miles long and awesome) and it only about 20-30 minutes from Key West if you want to see the sights there.

If your staying more than a weekend I might shoot down and meet up with you. Possibly Sunday night Monday morning.

Oh, and to answer your question via PM, I make the drive from my house in Florida to Sylva in 10 hours when alone, 9.5 in the 911 once but we will into go into that one. ;)

From my house to Bahia Honda is about 3-4 hours depending on traffic so your looking at 13-15 hours of driving. Your welcome to crash here a night if you need a place to lay your head on the way down. Your more then welcome here anytime.


Drive safe and take it easy in Georgia, they like speeders there.

Oh, BTW - Bahia Honda has Cabin Rentals, they are great, that is where we stay when down there, full kitchen, bathroom and decent bads, not much else, no TV no Phone and barely a cel phone signal. Forget Internet.

Look into it, its pretty cheap and IMHO better than a tent, plus you get to park the 944 in a car port... well under the house since its on stilts.

One of my good longtime friends lives in Key West. I'll probably be heading back in January or February to say hello and purify my soul a bit. It's a wonderful place to visit but it takes a very specific kind of personality to actually live down there. It's not for everyone and I question if I could even do it.

There is absolutely something magical about the place though. The keys are such a unique place, like nothing else you've ever experienced. The terrain, the feeling of isolation, the sublime "exposed" feeling you get on the seven-mile bridge, etc. It's all an amazing experience and I'm sure one you'll enjoy.

My idea of a "perfect afternoon" is sitting out at the Schooner Wharf Bar listening to Michael McCloud singing a rendition of Ervin Drake's "It Was A Very Good Year" - it still gives me chills thinking about it, soaking up the sun and not having a care in the world. It's my personal little slice of heaven on this earth - and I'll definitely do it again.

Bahia Honda is absolutely amazing. Stayed there many times. If your going to be tent, ask for a site on the ocean part of the key. We stayed on the gulf side and it wasnt as enjoyable. Bring your snorkel gear and some fishing poles. Bahia honda is one of the best beaches in the country.

Don't forget the beauty of N Florida as well.

I'd plan one of your stops to maybe camp over nite at either Manatee Springs (state park, very nice, no alcohol, etc) or Blue Springs (private, drink up!), perhaps Ginnie (expensive, private, not sure on alcohol policy). Maybe some canoing on the Santa Fe river, etc. Blue and Ginnie are in/nearest High Springs (NW Alachua County, where Gainesville is). Manatee is a bit NW of here, but not far.

I couldnt agree more! Probably my favorite place to go. I never tire of it. Ive been going thereevery yr since '83. Only thing is, KW has become way too touristy and commercialized , that sort of ruins it.

Heres a few shots on the 7 mile bridge this past November. I love this drive.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198983521.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198983546.jpg

Heres my favorite bar. On the beach at the Southern end of Duval.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198984631.jpg
Heres the view from it.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1198984707.jpg

Hook up with a chick, stay in her room or home.

As far as camping, KOA is in Stock Island, and Bahia Honda is 30 miles north and awesome beach(We used to jump off the bottom of the old Bahia Honda Bridge. Seen a couple jump off the top), Long Key has to be one of the best for ocean side camping(approx mm 70), and Pennecamp is cool (unless you are not able to keep the racoons out of your cooler).

Careful driving, I cant begin to tell you -here- how easy is is to get a speeding ticket.

BTW, the best camping is done in the boat on one of hundreds uninhabited islands. So hopefully can find a chick with a boat too.

Regards,

Spent two weeks there many years ago in a motorhome. Loved every minute. Wish it wasn't such a drive from here, or I'd be on the way right now. Is 2 inches of snow on the roof of the motorhome at the minute.

That bar is on the end of Duval (what 14 blocks) away from the Sunset (so LOTS less people there in late afternoon), and it is open early (it used to be) and awesome for just after sunrise breakfast.

Yes when going out in the boat need lots of provisions ;).

Ah...Bahia Honda. Good luck getting in there though- it is usually first come first served.

Nhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1199019233.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1199019249.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1199019372.jpg

They knocked down the Atlantic Shores Resort in Key West, but if you get all the way down there and want a cheap place to stay try the Seashell motel, which has one wing that forms the Key West youth hostel. It's kind of average, but the price is right and it is close to everything.

Half way down the keys is Holiday Isle- another great place to drink beer, lay in the sun, and float in the water.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1199019622.jpg

I may be in Key West in a week or 2.

I hang at the Conch Republic Bar, 4-7, for Happy Hour.

Keep in mind on Duval street. After midnight if you're south of the clock you're looking for...(rhymes w/ clock).

Got her own home, has a boat......hell, if you find this chick, you just might want to marry her:D

So THATS why those fellas were so friendly...

There are some seriously creepy gay guys in Key West. Gay folks don't bother me any, but 58 year old geezers in tight jeans trolling for young boys....ugh.

I drove down there in March of this year in my '74 911 and liked St Augustine the best. The Days Inn there is reasonable and clean. Go on the glass bottom boat tour in Key Largo, it's touristy but beautiful!!

I'm not "married", but I'm in a commited relationship. I can't do whatever I want as I could in 2000.

-If I COULD do what I want...I'd go to the Seashell Motel and get a cheap room. Then I'd reel up Duval street that evening, stopping at every bar along the way and testing the waters. After 2300 [11PM], all bets are off; You are going to get laid!

If you start at the bottom of Duval, you are pretty ugly if you get laid north of Fleming street. That or you are paying for it...

Anyway-

N!

I flew to Miami and drove down to the Keys for 10 days years ago. I think the best part of the trip was the drive down to the Keys. Lots of small keys that seem isolated and have nice beaches. Some seem like a tropical paradise. Key West was a major disappointment! Did you know that Key West has no beach? The only public beach is a man made one that isn't very large at all. The rest of the island is rocky coral that you need reef shoes to walk around in. As far as the island of Key West itself. Think of any over commercialized beach town that you avoid and it will due. If this is you kind of stuff (t shirt stores, tourist trap bars and restaurants, and a handful of attractions) then your fine. I pictured something like a Caribbean island that you can drive to. Once again, some on the way seemed very nice, but we were in a hurry to get to are place. Once there, we mostly hung out at the pool and condo's. I could of done that at Naples.

I used to camp at Big Pine Key back when I was in college. Close to Key West. That was over 20 years ago, it's probably all condos now.

You used to jump off that bridge?!?!

Man you are brave. That happens to be a well known Bull shark hang out- since the Tarpon get thick there. I wouldn't want to surprise one there that's for sure.

Manny the shark guy even did a dive there for tv specifically for Bulls.

They keep that info from the tourists since the Bahia beach is right around the corner.

When down there, I usually stay at Loo Key Dive Resort north of Key West around Marathon. Great Tiki bar, great locals and very relaxing. Not far to Key West if you need excitement.

Nope- Big Pine is still pretty sleepy and has some real nice back country.