6 Day Trip: Naples, Everglades, Keys & Cape Canavril

We made this trip in October 2006, we wanted to visit the Everglades and Key West. After hearing of friends doing Kissimmee - Key West and back again in 2 - 3 days, we decided to do it it over six but taking in the Everglades and hopefully a rocket launch. Our party consisted of my wife and myself (late 30's) two children (8 and 5) and 'the mother in law' (60's)

Day1 - Crescent Lakes - Naples (190 Miles)

We decided to go for a more scenic route than I-4 to Tampa, then the I-75 Naples. Leaving Crescent Lakes we headed for Haines City on US 17/92, then followed the US 17 through Winter Haven, Bowling Green and Arcadia joining the I-75 at junction 164. Whilst on this part of the journey you see some of the real Florida and its people going about their business and miles of orange groves. I must say that the road signs were very poor and we were often unsure of our exact location, but by using the cars digital compass and keeping the car going in roughly a SE direction we made it. Also if you're from the UK you would be used to lay-bys. These were almost none existent on this route. We stopped for our packed lunch at a Picnic Site south of Arcadia (marked on most maps). It consisted of a bit of gravel off the main road and a few picnic benches on some grass, no toilets, shops or cafe (good job we took a packed lunch).

After joining the I-75 at junction 164 we immediately pulled off at the first services at junction 161 for toilets and Mc Donalds ice cream. Those of you not familiar with US junction numbers you should note the number relates to the distance from the end, therefore the adjacent junctions 164 and 161 are 3 miles apart. The final part of the journey on the Interstate was easy, the interstates are much more like the British motorways, but just about every junction on an Interstate has some sort of services.

I am glad we went cross country for the first part of the journey but if we do it again I will be tempted to do I-4 to Tampa if I had the same passengers. Two children and a grandma with no proper services or road signs for over 100 miles could be a reciepe for disaster.

We had previously booked our accommodation at the Park Shore Resort (600 Neapolitan Way). We pulled off I-75 at junction 111 and headed West on Pine Ridge Road, until we reached US 41. Turning South on US 41 Neapolitan Way was on the right next to the Neapolitan Way Shopping Complex after about 2 - 3 miles.

We must rate the resort as excellent our accomedation had 2 bedrooms, each with an en-suite, a central lounge / kitchen area, with all the usual facilities such as Fridge, Freezer, Cooker, Microwave, TV, DVD player etc etc. A big plus for me was the FREE WiFi which meant I could get my laptop straight on to the Internet.

Arriving at 5pm we were some what limited for time, so we asked about a local beach and drove about 1 mile to Clam Pass on Seagate Drive, the Resort would refund the $6 parking fee but as it was late we were never charged anyway. I would recommend waiting for one of the golf buggies that run from the car park to the beach along the boardwalks through the mangroves. We started to walk to discover it was about 1 mile to the actual beach, luckily we got picked up half way by a buggy. The beach is beautiful as you can see below.

After a walk along the beach and back we headed to our accommodation for a swim in the pool. We also noted the resort offered a BBQ area and restaurant / bar neither of which we tried. The accommodation and amenities looked great and if I were to spend a week in Naples it would definitely be on my short list.

In the evening we headed off to downtown Naples. Having never been to Naples before were weren't sure what to expect. We found the shops and restaurants on Broad Ave and 5th Ave S. Whilst these looked excellent if I were traveling just with my wife, they did not look ideal for two young children who had been strapped in a car for 4 hours. So we headed back and grabbed a bite at a Perkins.

Day 2 - Naples - Eveglades - Key Largo (160 Miles)

After a self catering breakfast of Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies we headed off to the Everglades on US 41 which is about 30 miles south east of Naples. We re visited 'Everglades Private Airboat Tours' which my wife and the kids had used some years ago. Its located on US 41 approximately 5 miles west of the junction with state highway 29.

This was an excellent trip costing $150 for the 3 adults and 2 children. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we all enjoyed the trip which lasted around 40 minutes.

On leaving the airboats we headed to Everglade city on State Highway 29, the plan was to take a boat ride to see the dolphins. However when we got there it seemed to be all closed, (it was around lunchtime) So we headed back to US 41 and continued the journey to Key Largo taking State Highway 997 south just before Miami and US 1 at Homestead. We stopped at the Ramada Hotel in Key Largo at Mile Marker 100. The hotel room was fine for a one night stay and, with the rollout bed we stayed in one room.

Key Largo was not what we expected, we all expected something a little more impressive. When it comes to eating we have 2 children who would quiet happily eat at Mc Donalds for every meal and a Grandma for is allergic to most spices, mayonnaise and sauces. We were hoping to find a main stream grill bar / restaurant such as Outback, Shoneys or similar. We travelled down to mile marker 80 and back again. There were lots of privately run restaurants which my wife and I would have eaten in but kids and grandmas were not keen. So we ended up in Burger King back near the hotel.

Day 3 - Key Largo - Key West- Marathon (150 Miles)

After a continental breakfast in the hotel we headed south on US 1. We stopped at a number of parking places before the bridges. In all there are 41 bridges spanning the 29 islands between Key Largo and Key West. The most impresive being 7 Mile Bridge between Marathon on Key Veca and Little Duck Key. We took a leisurely drive from Key Largo MM100 down to MM0 in Key West, arriving at lunch time.

We had a excellent lunch at Bagatelle pictured above and I would recommend it to anyone. Shrimp Casaar Salad, 2 x Steak & Cheese baggettes and 2 x Chicken Fingers & Fries for the kids. Then Ice Creams, Lime Key Pie, Chocolate Fudge Cake and Rasberry Cheese cake. EXCELLENT FOOD and very reasonably priced. After a long late lunch we picked up the Conch Train for a guided tour of the old town, this lasted 90 minuites and was very interesting. Finally we had a beer and watched the sunset, unfortunately the cloud moved in on the horizon as you can see above.

With the sun down we travelled back to our accommodation in Marathon Tranquility Bay Beach House Resort. The beach house was a 2 story, 3 bedroom beach house with all the home comforts including Plasma Screen, internet access (with your own laptop), fully fitted kitchen, lounge area etc.

Day 4 -Marathon (0 Miles)

After 3 days of travelling we stayed at the beach house in Marathon for the day swimming, sun bathing and jet skiing. The facilities and accommodation was excellent (it should be for $389 / night).

Day 5 - Marathon - Miami - Jupiter (200 Miles)

We left Marathon and headed north, stopping at the Dolphin Research Center which is just a few miles north. Its about $20 for the basic entrance, but they run a host of other programs, from 'Meet a Dolphin', 'Play with a Dolphin', 'Paint with a Dolphin' plus Trainer or Researcher for a day, programs. My son and wife went to 'Meet a Dolphin' ($40) where they shaked the dolphins flippers, while the rest of us had the basic entrance and took photos. If you want to see dolphins in a working research environment then this is the place, if you want to see a show go to Sea World.

On leaving the research center we headed north on US1, to Miami. On reaching Miami we took the A1A costal road and finally took a break on Ocean Drive for ice cream and a paddle in the Atlantic. Knowing we had only done just over 100 miles and it was now late afternoon (rush hour), we headed for the Florida Turnpike as the I95 looked grid locked. After making good time we pulled off the turnpike at junction 109 and headed east for Juno Beach, travelling north again on the US1 we stopped at a Best Western Hotel in Jupiter, and ate at Outback which was about .25 miles further down US1. The accommodation was basic, but that was all we needed. One nice feature was the free WiFi so I could check my email from my laptop.

Day 6 - Jupiter - Kennedy Space Center - Crescent Lakes (250 Miles)

Day 6, we left Jupiter and headed for the Florida Turnpike staying on this road until junction 152. On the map this looked a shorter route than the I95 and cost just a few dollars in tolls. Heading for US1 we continued north on US1 stopping for a short break at Vero Beach. We then continued on the US1 until we reached Merritt Island where we stopped for lunch at Denny's. Realising it was too late to make a full day in the space centre we decided to drive around the area and look for a good vantage point for viewing the launch. We criss crossed the area and decided upon Cocoa Beach Pier, which is situated behind Perkins off the A1A between Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. We spent the after noon on the beach and could clearly see the launch pad. There were a number of restaurants in the area all providing excellent value.

At 7:30pm we headed back to the beach and walked north for about a mile before making camp. 8:52pm the Delta II rocket on the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory STEREO blasted off. Having never seen a launch before we thought it was quite spectacular and made an excellent ending to our trip.

After the launch we headed back to the pier for a drink and watched the replay of the launch on the TV, before getting back in the car for the final trip along the Bee Line Expressway and SR417 back to Crescent Lakes.