Days later, we arrived in Fort Lauderdale. We
saddled up on a couple of Heritage Softail Classics
and with our postures upright and our eyes forward
we were on our way. Not much more than a 100
miles had passed and we arrived in Key Largo. We
were already half way done with the entire ride and
it was only the first
day. We enjoyed the
key whose namesake
was made famous by
Bogart and Hepburn in
1951 by the movie that
stole its name. Turning
our heads to the right
we were greeted by the
African Queen herself,
heading out with some
tourists for the day.
The African Queen was
originally built in Lythan,
England in 1912. The
famous iconic vessel
began as a shuttle to
missionaries, cargo and
hunting parties around
the Belgian Congo and
Uganda before catching
her big movie break and
eventually retiring to
Key Largo in 1982.
With our grueling 100 miles behind us it was time
to relax with a couple of beers at one of my favorite
overseas
highway
hideouts, the Seafarer
Lodge and Resort. A
collection of Robin Blue
cabins all within feet of
the water. It is off the
beaten path and less
expensive than many of
the overpriced chains in
the area. Hours later, only a few feet away a pelican
and a manatee forgive our intrusion and gladly
share their nightly sunset view with us. For dinner, we walked over to the Island Café,
for some locally infused Mojitos and Ahi Tuna nachos
followed by a good night’s sleep with the Ocean as
the soundtrack to our dreams. Although it is hard to
believe that our dreams could be the life we are living
at the very moment!
Our second hundred miles will deliver us to the heart
of Key West. But before we get there we get to ride
through one of the most unique landscapes that the
United States has to offer. The Atlantic over our port
hand grip and the gulf starboard over our throttles as
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we passed through many seaside towns gladly offering
to help you part with your money. We limit our donations
to the local economy in Marathon in the form of a
marina lunch at Sparky’s, being cautious not to offer
any contributions to local law enforcement, by diligently
adhering to the speed limits.
Soon after we approach the magnificent 7-mile
bridge filled with walkers and fisherman flanked by
hungry seagulls hoping to scoop a catch. The bridge
has been seen countless times in movies such as,
License to Kill, True lies and the 2 Fast 2 Furious, to
name just a few. With views like this there really is no
reason to go anywhere fast.
The last key is Cow Key off of Stock Island. Astute
readers, may remember this from a previous Thunder
Roads Colorado article as the place I was conceived.
You could say I was returning to the scene of the crime!
We are then presented with our first legitimate option to
take a hard left or right since entering the keys. Turning
right is the less attractive option, so left it is. Down along
beach after beach for approximately 2 miles before
arriving at the Southern Most point buoy. The lines and
crowds make a photo with the motorcycles impossible.
We continue up the road, past the famous six toed cats
June 2016
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 13