[Rhodes22-list] Keys Trip

[Robert Quinn]

Bill:  Pennekamp State Park is on/off Key Largo.  The earlier reference will
get you to the reefs off of Key Largo.  Some of the neatest snorkeling spots
in the US.  There are reefs all the way from Miami to Key West which tempt
you to hang on for many many days. Be sure to pick up some snorkeling/diving
guides before you launch.  The Keys are an adventure and depending on what
you want to accomplish you can spend many months enjoying what they have to
offer.

There are several good cruising guides of the area.  Frank Pappy's is a good
one to have with you along with charts.  There are areas where you need to
be very careful even with the minimum water that the Rhodes draw.

Kathy and I will be sailing the Keys but probably not until April.  Darn,
we'd love to be with the group. Go for it and enjoy!


Bob and Kathy on the "NoKaOi"

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2003 6:22 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Keys Trip


Rummy,

I've been thinking about the same trip.  Planning for February.

There is a nice city owned marina in Coconut Grove.  They have both a ramp
and a crane; and a lot of transient slips.  The last time I checked you
could rent a slip for around $20 a day.  There is a funky dockside joint
next door where the down and dirty boating crowd hangs out.  Good cheap
food.  Nice view.  During the week you can hang out all day.  If you look,
you will see manatees.

Biscayne Bay is beautiful.  If they haven't torn it down, there used to be
something called "Stilt City" where people built shacks (and in some cases
mansions) in the middle of the bay on stilts.

There are a number of exclusive islands off Miami, and many communities with
canals that suggest ways to live quite different from the way most of us
live.  I understand that the Coast Guard is extremely active around Miami,
and that there are places you are no longer allowed to be.

John Pennekamp State Park is a great site for snorkling.  I think you are
allowed to go there by private boat.  It's off Marathon.