A Wonderful Day

Spending a wonderful day at the beach seemed like the thing to do on a nice warm sunny day in the Keys. So we packed our gear, donned our bathing suits, took the dogs for a walk, and away we go. People have been telling us about Harry Harris Park just a short distance from the campground. We decided to check it out.

Just off U.S. 1 at MM 92.5 Oceanside we found this wonderful beach. On weekends they charge $5 per person for non-residents but on weekdays its free to everyone. Ah! today is Monday, got to love free. As we entered the park we were stopped by a large iguana just sauntering across the parking lot taking its time. Not sure if he was looking for a handout, not from this gal. We set our chairs in the perfect position with nobody around to obstruct the view of the vast ocean. We watched boats come and go, watched pelicans plug into the water for a fish, and spied seagulls fly overhead looking for that morsel of food. 

The park offers a man-made tidal pool for swimming and snorkeling plus a boat launch area.

The swimming area is enclosed by a rock break wall with channels which allows water to move in and out freely with the changing tide. So its not unusual to see small fish in the swimming area. You get the same effect of being in the ocean without the waves crashing into you. The break wall is paved on top allowing one to walk all the way around.

Nope not in the water, I'm on the break wall

Susan is just having tooooo much fun

After a couple of hours we were both getting a little hungry so we decided to go to Sparky's Landing for fish tacos. We've been there before and know the food is great, the view is wonderful, and the staff is friendly.

Everything on the menu looks so good but we both decided to stay with the fish tacos since we were craving them. Part of making this place so great is the view of blue-green water, brown pelicans flying over, and the quietness.

Oh yeah, did I mention the occasional manatee swimming by. Susan just happened to be looking over the rail and sure enough a momma and baby swam by.

did you see that!!!!!!

Momma and baby manatee

It doesn't get any better than that. Our tacos came, we ate and then waited to see if they would come back but no such luck.

It was getting late so we decided to leave but not before we made a stop for dessert. The Blonde Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory was originally founded in Key West in 1999. In 2010 they moved their outfit to Pigeon Forge, TN.  Just this year they moved back (thank goodness) to the Keys, settling in Tavernier at MM 92 Bayside.  

With the exception of our good friend Nancy's Key Lime Pie this is the next best. I could hardly wait to get home.

What another wonderful day in the Keys. Good weather, good beach, nice surprises, and great food. 

...it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. we are tied to the ocean. and when we go back to the sea---whether it is to sail or to watch it---we are going back from whence we came.” 
- john f. kennedy