We have spent the past month living in the Florida Keys, it is the island life; lots of water, sand, boats, and good times. It has the island time, laid back feel. Things are unstructured, rules loose. I was able to bring the dog into almost every store. And you know it, we had roosters rooming free.
It is also sweltering. Like I have a dainty, ladylike “glistening” after a leisurely one-block stroll. At 8 am.
Thankfully we had decided to splurge and stay at a marina, with a pool and air conditioning. It was a lifesaver for this Midwesterner.
We found the sense of community was prominent, from the daily 9 am cruisers net, to the community garden, yoga and pickleball at the park, and the wide variety of activities. Here people know you by your boat name and your character at the moment. There is little history or status symbols. Thrift is the name of the game.
There are minimal commercial development and only one big box store. Mostly mom and pop, locally owned businesses. Local taxi services, no uber; you walk or bike almost everywhere.
For the nature lover, it is paradise. There are a plethora of day mooring balls at the snorkeling reefs. Here you can swim with the fish, enjoy the coral and cool off for the day. You can ride your bike from one end of the keys to the other. Turtle hospitals and dolphin rescues, nature preserves, parks, beaches, and lots and lots of water.
Would I return? You betcha.
ohbuoy.net 