Community Forums

bobgio · 05-22-2015, 04:03 AM

Is there a place to boondock close to the Homestead area? Do the Service Plazas allow overnight parking in the truck lot? Anyone have any experience at the Pompano Plaza or Snapper Creek?

Dakrism · 05-22-2015, 07:27 AM

We spent the night one year at the casino on 997 at the US 41 intersection.There were several trucks and about 4 RVs.

There is also an Elks Lodge on Key Largo that may have a spot if you are an Elks member.

Steve Ownby · 05-22-2015, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakrism

We spent the night one year at the casino on 997 at the US 41 intersection.There were several trucks and about 4 RVs.

There is also an Elks Lodge on Key Largo that may have a spot if you are an Elks member.

X2 on the casino. Be sure to go to the security desk in the casino & get a parking pass for the windshield. The patrols look for it. It's free so no downside.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Dakrism · 05-22-2015, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

X2 on the casino. Be sure to go to the security desk in the casino & get a parking pass for the windshield. The patrols look for it. It's free so no downside.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Good catch Steve! I forgot about the parking pass. Also be prepared to not leave too early the next morning.The night we stayed happened to be a Sat. and people actually completely pinned me in.LOL They actually parked under our slide!We were in no hurry so no problem,but the guy under our slide didn't come out of the casino until 8:45am.

bobgio · 05-22-2015, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the great option! Is 997 a decent road to continue south on to Rt 1 or should I get back on the Tnpk?

Steve Ownby · 05-22-2015, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobgio

Thanks for the great option! Is 997 a decent road to continue south on to Rt 1 or should I get back on the Tnpk?

997 is an interesting drive down through south Florida agricultural land. Mostly 2 lane. Turn left on 8th St in Homestead and it's just a block or two to a right on US1. You will hit US1 a block or so before the Tnpk ends on US1.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Deny · 05-22-2015, 04:08 PM

When you get to Florida City-head toward the Everglades National Park.

Just a few miles west of US1 (on the way to Everglades National Park) is a Fruitstand called "Robert is Here" Best Fruit & Vegetables in Fla! Petting Zoo Milk Shakes with fresh Fruit- my fav is Lime & Strawberry.

Won't take long-great stop-cheap good produce- Shakes that are the best on the planet.

Also, stop at Robbies at the south end of Islamorada & feed the Tarpon for a cupola bucks.

Have a ball

Steve Ownby · 05-22-2015, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deny

When you get to Florida City-head toward the Everglades National Park.

Just a few miles west of US1 (on the way to Everglades National Park) is a Fruitstand called "Robert is Here" Best Fruit & Vegetables in Fla! Petting Zoo Milk Shakes with fresh Fruit- my fav is Lime & Strawberry.

Won't take long-great stop-cheap good produce- Shakes that are the best on the planet.

Also, stop at Robbies at the south end of Islamorada & feed the Tarpon for a cupola bucks.

Have a ball

This is a home run from Deny. "Robert is Here" is a great stop. They have more varieties of Mangos than you can believe. Many samples cut up for eating.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

bobgio · 05-24-2015, 06:19 AM

Sounds like a great option to stop at "Robert is here"!! We are heading to the Bluewater Key Resort in KW. Should I plan on a 4 hr trip from the Casino?

Steve Ownby · 05-24-2015, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobgio

Sounds like a great option to stop at "Robert is here"!! We are heading to the Bluewater Key Resort in KW. Should I plan on a 4 hr trip from the Casino?

It's about 140 miles and a side trip to "Robert is here" will take some time. This will be mostly 2 lane with frequent 45 mph speed zones and heavy traffic at times.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

HD4Mark · 05-24-2015, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobgio

Sounds like a great option to stop at "Robert is here"!! We are heading to the Bluewater Key Resort in KW. Should I plan on a 4 hr trip from the Casino?

It's about 120 miles form Florida City where the turnpike ends to Key West. Some of it 35 or 45 MPH and two lanes. We figure to get out of the Keys from Marathon it is an hour and forty five minutes with no traffic and it is about half way so I would count on four from there and longer if there is an accident.

Overnight camping is not allowed in Monroe county (just past Florida city to the end) but I have seen RVs in Kmart's lot. I guess it depends on how busy the police are. I think you can stay in the Walmart in Florida City but we never have.

There are some great places to pull over to take a break and just stare out at the beautiful water. Many with room for a MH.

Enjoy! We won't be back until the fall.

Dakrism · 05-24-2015, 07:12 AM

Bobio
We have only driven to Key West twice but from our experience you will not make it from the casino to KW in any LESS than 4 hrs and most likely 6.
It can be a mess getting there especially if they are still working on any bridges. We had to sit and wait on flaggers the last time down 2 yrs ago because it is only 2 lanes.
It took us 3 hrs to go from Fiesta Key to KW. When we came home that night it took an hour. It will all depend on the traffic and construction projects.
Its a interesting drive though and if you have never been then the slower you go the better for you to see everything!
You will enjoy Blue Water Key. When you journey on down to Key West go early because parking is VERY limited and expensive.

Deny · 05-25-2015, 05:11 AM

Not safe at Snapper Creek or Pompano for Boon docking.

If you want to camp-camp at Everglades National Park or a campground

The scenery is amazing, the slower the better, & yes, traffic can be an issue. The keys are not cheap, but the scenery is unattainable anywhere else.

From Key Largo down to Big Pine you will see the most beautiful Ocean Vistas imaginable.

Stop at the Big Lobster near Key Largo to see Art Work

Get a Grouper Sandwich at "Craigs" on Tavernier. Stop at the Hurricane of 35 Monument-See the Conch houses built by the red cross that are poured concrete on Islamorada
Stop at The world wide sportsman in Islamorada , then go down to Robbies at Lower Matecumbe to see the Tarpon & art work. And , that only gets you to Mile Marker 75 or so -still 75 miles to Key West from there.

There is just so much to take in. You will love the ride

Brockx · 05-25-2015, 05:35 AM

County road 997 is under construction from just North of US41 then about 10 miles South. They have installed marker posts on the center line the whole distance to keep anyone from passing, a little un-nerving threading the needle that far. We went down on Sunday and back on Sunday so we did not deal with active construction, I suggest to avoid 997 this summer.

Bluewater resort was great as usual, about 30 percent empty 2 weeks ago. Food...... try Mangrove Mama's at MM20, great old Florida atmosphere and delicious food. If you get server Patty aka "PattyWacker" she is a hoot.