Back from a great trip to the =
Keys from St.
Pete.
Glad to =
say that my 87
Westie (138000 odometer) ran flawlessly for the 820mile round =
trip,
and burned about 1/4 qt of oil. Calculated mileage =
18gph.
We took the scenic route from St. Pete, and =
minimized our
time on the Interstate.
-I75 south out of St. Pete, over the Skyway
Bridge
-Jumped off of the Interstate just north of Ft. =
Myers and
headed east on Rt. 82 into =
Immokalee. South on Rt. 29, through the =
heart of the
Everglades, passing back over I75 and continuing south =
to
the old Tamiami Trail (Rt.. 41) just north of =
Everglades
City. This old road used to be the only way across the Glades, =
and
there is much more to look at and do along this road.
-My traveling friend had never been down there =
before, so
we stopped at an Indian reservation and took a quick airboat
tour.
Touristy, yes....but a great way to see the =
glades for the
first time.
-Westward on 41 to Krome Ave, just before =
running
into Miami (still in the glades)
-South on Krome through Homestead and Florida =
City
(gateway to the Keys). Going through Homestead, the =
effects of
Hurricane Andrew are still noticeable.
-Camped at the Southern Comfort Campsite in =
Florida City
(25.00 and so-so quality). It was getting dark and a drive down the =
Keys at
night is a waste.
-Fired back up at dawn and headed south on US1 =
down
the end of the road. Travelling the Keys has improved =
greatly
since the completion of many new bridges in the early
80's.
-Made it to Stock Island (just before Key West) =
in 3.5
hours and hopped on a 38ft trawler and headed out back for 3 =
wonderfully
secluded days in paradise.
-The trip home was equally uneventful....nothing =
broke!
-should have photos up on my website in a couple =
of
weeks
Regards to all
Dane Tessler
87
Westfalia