KEY LARGO

Key Largo. Doesn't that sound romantic? It calls to mind Humphrey bogart and Lauren Bacall, right? What more appropriate place to watch the Academy Awards? And that's the only reason we would be at a $100/night "resort" - to have good television reception. Having seen every single nominee in the major categories, we were anxious to enjoy the ceremony. 

White rock is the dominant motif.

"Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Delivers Water to Paradise" All of the water for the Keys is taken from the Everglades aquifer and pumped 130 miles down the Keys. Daily, 13 million gallons are sent South with the help of five pumping stations along the way. 

The Key Largo pumping station was our next-door neighbor.

We would paint our kitties on the back of our camper but we'd rather have a back window.

We had two reasons to go to the library this time, books and an art show.

This was one of the best entries in the show. We took a picture because it mentioned the Elks Lodge in Tavernier, where we stayed. We did not eat at either Craig's or the Elks.

Not much to look at above the surface, Key Largo's beauty lies underwater. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was created to preserve a portion of the only barrier reef in North America. The park extends three miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is 21 miles long.

John Pennekamp, a Miami newspaper editor, was an early proponent of the preservation of the reef. He also helped establish the Everglades National Park.

The catamaran we went out on. Forty years ago, Linda dived the reef. This time the glass-bottomed boat was the choice.

Our narrator at the stern of the boat. We slowly wound our way through the mangroves.

Once clear of the no-wake zone, we moved briskly out to the reef.

Our destination on the reef is marked by this light.

A Green Sea Turtle. We only spotted it because Carole was on the upper deck throwing up.

The Visitor Center features a 30,000 gallon salt-water aquarium.

A staghorn coral.

Staghorn and brain coral.

Yellowtail Jawfish.

Palythoa sp.

One day we had lunch at Key Largo Conch House. It is in an old-school Keys mansion. While we waited, we amused ourselves reading the Key Largo facts on the back of the menu. Pay special attention to the high and low temperatures.

Coconut Shrimp with Orange Marmalade Dip.

The Fish Tacos are intensely good.

Carole's Chicken Wrap was good, too.

"Plate? Do you see a plate?".