On Thursday, February 26, 2026, we left our trailer secured in the Everglades National Park and drove south along Highway 1 through the Florida Keys. The Overseas Highway is part road trip, part engineering statement, suspended between sky and sea. We secured a very comfortable room at the H2O Hotel in Key West for a couple of nights. Thursday evening included a wonderful dinner at Milagro Restaurant and Bar. We ate outside on the front porch and enjoyed the food, the warm coastal air, and watching the steady parade of humanity walk by. Afterwards, we enjoyed a slow walk back to our hotel.
Friday was beach day at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. We rented chairs and an umbrella, settled in, and spent hours enjoying the sun, sand, and water. Beach food sustained us until the rental clock expired at 5 p.m., at which point we dutifully surrendered our chairs. A swim at the hotel pool and an excellent dinner at Conchiglia rounded out the day.
Saturday morning we rose early and walked to the beach to watch the sunrise. There is something about beginning the day at the water’s edge that recalibrates perspective. Breakfast at a different beachfront hotel followed, and by late morning we began the drive back north to Long Pine Key Campground. On our way we stopped for lunch at the Sunset Grille and Raw Bar. After lunch, being in the Florida Keys, we had to try their homemade Key Lime Pie, it was delicious.