I can’t say the trip was entirely without disappointment. Take the disappearance of Bogart for example. Well let me explain.  On Friday we began the final leg of this road trip adventure. We left Stuart heading south and let’s be honest, there’s not a lot of south to head to from Stuart. So past Miami, past Florida City and onto the Florida Keys.

The Florida Keys are a series of coral reefs joined together by bridges. For long lengths, they are no wider than the road, with either the sea, or swamps on both sides. Where there are swamps, the road is lined with long wire fences.  To keep the animals in! In other words, to keep the alligators off the road. Nice to know when you get out to change a wheel. No, no, we didn’t, but still nice to know.

The map is simple …. a straight line, with occasional short lines going off at right angles, where the Key has briefly widened and where small towns have developed.  We get to Key Largo and I go in search of Bogart and Bacall, (see note at top of this entry). Not a sign. I have waited for this moment since I was a teenager and where are they?  Nowhere to be seen. Instead, we have lunch in Cindy’s Cafe along with the Highway Patrol.

On to Marathon where we will stay with friends and where we arrive just in time to see the sunset from the seven mile bridge.  Yep.  Seven mile bridge. Sounds like a good place for a music festival.

Next day we are joined by Karen and Jeanette and over the bridge we go and make the final leg to Key West.  Why West, I ask myself, surely it is south?  Well yes and no. Yes, the most southerly point of the continental United States is at Key West. However, when I look at the map, I see that the Keys start out southerly from mainland Florida but then curl around west and stretch westward to their tip. This is where US Route 1 ends. (Or begins, if you’re going the other way, of course, if you get my meaning, which I’m not sure I do myself). It goes all the way from the Canadian border in Maine, to Key West. Quite a ride. And we’ve done most of it, Boston to Key West.

It is a beautiful town. It seems surprising to find it here. It’s like a permanent holiday town, which I’m sure drives the locals crazy, as it’s probably filled with tourists all year round. There are beautiful streets and markets, seafront viewing areas, (viewing the sea!). The port area is lovely and there is a cruise ship in. It leaves before sunset, so we get to watch the sun go down into the Gulf of Mexico, surrounded by the many street performers who line the harbour and call out their acts. It’s a fun place.

Last night we came back to Stuart and tomorrow we go to Orlando. The plan is for a day at Universal Studios, (the Harry Potter Park) and then to the airport. Wednesday morning will see me in Dublin. It’s all been quite an adventure, but it’s time to go home. I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing some of it with me. It has really been a blast.

Happy Christmas to all.