Danger comes in many forms!!!

The locks didn't work very well
so we added a little extra protection!

Yes, that's daylight...and yes,
that's a coat hanger.
Any questions?

After making up some time on the dreaded interstate we decided to stop in Homestead to sleep. We wanted to make it to Key West, but the hotel situation wasn't looking good and we didn't want to get all the way out there and be stuck spending a fortune. Well, maybe we should have. The only hotel available for under $500 a night within 30 miles was the Budget Inn. Let's start by saying that I'm not overly picky about where I sleep. I've slept in some pretty rough places in Guatemala and Europe. This was by far the most disgusting place I've ever slept. The owners should be ashamed and embarrassed. It wasn't even cheap! $100 a night isn't bad when you feel safe and aren't afraid to walk around bare foot, but this was a $30 place on a good day. We survived, but the whole next day I felt like I had bugs crawling all over me...luckily I didn't! So, it was time to get out of that hell hole and head for  the Keys!

Now that is a tourist for ya!

Traffic wasn't bad heading out to Key West. It took us about 3 1/2 hours which isn't too bad. Unfortunately, we only had time to spend the afternoon in Key West before turning around and heading back to Miami. So, no partying and another day of a lot of dashboard time. We lucked out and had great weather, 85 degrees our two days in Florida and I've got the sunburn to prove it. We got to see a good amount of Key West in a short time and I really liked it. It reminds me of New Orleans, but with a more swim trunks and bikinis! 

Eye contact...remember eye contact!

One of the more interesting places we checked out was a bar called "The Bull" or "The Whistle Bar". It has both names on the outside and I didn't take the time to ask. As we walked in it seemed like your normal bar, tourists sipping a couple beers, getting out of the heat. As we heading up to the third floor things got a little different. There was a sign at the top of the stairs warning about the use of cameras...that usually means you're in for something unique! What we found was a clothing optional rooftop bar. If you've ever been to a nude beach, you'll understand what we were looking at, or trying to divert our eyes from! Of the 7 or so people who chose to bare it all, there were 3 women and 4 guys. I feel that if someone has the guts to let it hang out then we shouldn't judge what the packing looks like. Be proud of who you are! That being said...I'd like to thank the one young lady who didn't make my retinas burn. And to the man who decided that hula-hooping 10 feet in front of me was a great idea...I'll be sending you my counseling bill! As much of an eye opener as it was I'd go back. I like the idea that some people don't care what the world thinks, and I feel  we could all be a little less uptight!

I want to eat my computer screen right now!!!

Now it was time for dinner...so I had to find a good cheeseburger. Sure, most people would choose fish or seafood, but I like cheeseburgers. There is a Cheeseburger Paradise restaurant in Key West, but that seemed too obvious. I checked out some reviews online and people recommended a few places, but I was "feeling it" with them either. So, we did what our ancestors did. We walked around and looked at people's plates. That's the beauty of all the open air restaurants! You can walk down the street and see what the restaurant is really all about. If you're not bashful you can even ask the people for a quick review while they are eating! We found a place called Fogarty's. It seemed they were more known for their fish, but when we walked by Dave noticed a guy eating a ginormous burger! We had to check it out. It was 10 or 12 ounces and delicious!!! I'll give it the "Best Burger in Key West" award...even thought it was the only burger I had. Dave tried some sort of fish...which was good, but it wasn't a huge burger. He won't make that mistake again.

Belly is full, liver is on time out, and we have to fly out tomorrow morning. It was time to head to South Beach! Back to the car to head to the mainland!