Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda Keys
Trip Start
Nov 19, 2007
1
113
170
Trip End
Ongoing
Big Pine Key,
Florida,
United States
Monday, December 15, 2008
We arrived in Curry Hammock State Park and got set up on the Ocean side of the Island. There are so many Islands making up the keys that it's all about BRIDGES. The old bridges that have been abandoned are often kept safe enough for portions to be used for fishing.
Andy enjoyed getting back into fishing by trying his luck in the canal that went by the park. It had been dug many years ago to try and make an upscale development with a deep canal surrounding the key. Curry Hammock at that time was entirely a mangrove forest. the developer actually ripped out mangrove and put in fill and finally sand to create stable land for building and a beach! He ended up selling to the State and we are enjoying that well bought land. The ocean is rather shallow here so the swimming was a little funny but I loved being in the water no matter what.
A few days into our stay we took the bikes down the bike path along the highway towards Marathon Key to find another area of the STate Park on the Bay or Gulf side of the Island. A beautiful, deep cove was sparkling and of the most fabulous color so I went on in and a got a good swim.
Curry Hammock has more RVs like ours than we usually see in one park. Andy enjoys meeting anyone in the same Winnebago, Sprinter configuration as ours. He loves talking about the modifications and sharing any knowledge anyone has gained during their journeys. Joyce and Fred were only one site away so naturally we became great friends! That is RV living. They live in Stuart, FL, having moved down from Rhode Island after selling their Marina. We had a ball hearing all the great stories about running a marina!! We shared DVDs and learned lots from these new friends. We fully expect to stay in touch and add them to our list of "must visit" when next in or near Stuart.
December 20, 2008
Drove down to Bahia Honda Key just above Big Pine Key and got 4 nights at the State Park. It is like a resort with two marinas, snorkel cruise boat trips, gift and snack shop, Nature Center, trails, programs, gardens and two incredible beaches!! At first Andy and I were a bit put off by how close the RV sites are to the road and bridges but got into the "Island head" realizing that Islands are all about Bridges! At our campground there is a dock and fish cleaning station if you brought your fishing boat with you!!
We took a cruise trip out to Looe Reef where we spent an hour and a half snorkeling in 77 degree water on a totally fabulous living coral reef only 10 to 15 feet below the water. 4-5 foot baracuda, 6 foot reef shark, 150 pound Golliath Grouper, hundreds of Seargent Majors, yellow tail snapper, blue snapper, on and on and on. The colors and intrigue made us both yearn for our scuba equipment. It has been a long time since we have been diving and we both just love it!!!
December 24th...Christmas Eve
After 4 days of swimming, biking and eating coconut from the tree at our site, we headed back up to Curry Hammock where Andy lucked out by getting Christmas Eve night. We woke Christmas morning to squeals of delight from a big RV next to us. The children were opening their presents and proving that Santa will find you wherever you are!!!
We had met Barbara and Tom while staying here last week. They drive the same vehicle as we do, making them fast friends....not to mention how great these people are!! While Andy was trying his hand at fishing, Tom came up and they had a grand time telling "fish stories". The next day, Tom went out on a fishing charter and shared some gorgeous Red Snapper with us. Tom and Andy also exchanged tips and modifications they had done on their respective RV's. Barb and I also became friends in no time as we took a walk with their dog, Chance.
Christmas day arrived sunny with intermitten showers. We invited Tom and Barb on over for a Christmas Lunch. They brought smoked Alaskan Salmon to add to our smoked trout. We put out an assortment of veggies and salad to go with hummus and hard boiled eggs. We had animated conversation and ate our lunch with gratitude to be who we are on Christmas morning. Time flew by and we were interrupted by the Camp Host who "kicked" us out as it was just past check out time!!! We all jumped to and with hurried hugs all around, left for our next adventure.
With Christmas in the air, I thought of my Sons, my sisters and brothers, my Mom, Andy's family and all our wonderful loving friends all over the world. My heart swells knowing I enjoy such a rich tapestry of love. Thank you all for being in our lives. "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night".
Comments
Happy Holidays
Kudos on being the living personification of the moral of Dickens' Christmas Carol-one of the best books I have ever read and do so every year at this time-as you spread good cheer wherever you go. The tapestry of love, not only a well turned phrase-but I think the title of Aretha Franklin's next hit-'Riding on the Tapestry of Love'-it's a magic carpet ride baby! Hope to get a report from you on Key West-although perhaps now too 'urban' now for you guys. Happy New year!