I
rode the rest of the way out of the Keys the next day (2-29),
passing through Islamorada and Key Largo.
I stopped at the Hurricane Monument in Islamorada (hadn’t
seen it on the way down). It
honors the hundreds of local citizens and WWI vets (who were
building U.S. Highway 1 for the WPA)
who were killed in the “Great
Hurricane” of September 2, 1935.
This hurricane had sustained winds of 200 mph and a
barometric reading of 26.35 for several hours.
Many buildings in Islamorada and other parts of the Keys
and the Florida East Coast Railroad (which ran to Key West) were
destroyed. This hurricane (they apparently didn’t name them back in
1935) remains the most savage on record.
Since
the wind wasn’t bad again today and I only had 60 miles to go to
Florida City, I stopped at a bike shop (Equipment Locker Sport
& Bicycle) in Key Largo to see if I could get a quick tune-up.
Tim took real good care of me and had me back on the road
in just about an hour.
I
stayed the night again in the missile-protected campground in
Florida City, and went to bed still not sure what I would do the
next day. For sure, I would go to the Visitor Center at Biscayne
National Park, which is only about ten miles away.
Beyond that, however, it was questionable. Other than the Visitor Center, Biscayne is really a marine
park, and I didn’t know if I would find anything else to do over
there without having my own boat.
If not, I might come straight back to the campground, pack
up and head 50 or 60 miles up the coast.
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
