rickardracing Posted February 16, 2013 Author #26 Posted February 16, 2013 Last time I checked If you are military active or retired you can stay in the Q for around 60 a night. I am neither so it will have to be over priced hotels
reddevilmedic Posted February 16, 2013 #27 Posted February 16, 2013 That looks nice. Definately a consideration! Thanx!! like i said, a close friend is in management there. he knows every room. the rooms are privately owned and some are rented out for vacationers, so they are well kept. ive stayed a few times.
Brake Pad Posted February 16, 2013 #28 Posted February 16, 2013 The weather was awesome, But the New Friends were Better.
Gray Ghost Posted February 16, 2013 #29 Posted February 16, 2013 For those who are military, even retired, you can get reservations for the MWR facilities at Trumbo. They have some 2 bedroom trailers and three bedroom apartments. We have stayed there twice, the last time we took some non-military friends. The only restriction with that was that one of us had to be with them at all times while they were on base. It is just about a mile from the gate down to Duval street, easy walk down and fairly cheap taxi ride back if you feel that it might be too far to stagger back. Also for military ID holders, you can get discount tickets to some of the dinner cruises, etc through the base. Helps the money go a bit farther.
CaptainJoe Posted February 16, 2013 #30 Posted February 16, 2013 The weather was awesome, But the New Friends were Better. +1 on that...
Daveand Barbie Posted February 16, 2013 #31 Posted February 16, 2013 Barbie and I have wintered in the Key West area for the past 10 years, and look forward to going back each year. We stay at the Geiger Key Marina, which is at the 10 mile marker and in the final approach for NASKW. It's an air show every day! We tow an enclosed trailer with freezer, washer/dryer combo, supplies, and motorcycles behind "da bus". Parking is never an issue for bikes on Key West, and it is mostly always free. Our Key West bikes are middleweights with soft luggage, so grocery shopping is also not an issue. Having stayed on the island occasionally in years past, I can recommend the Southernmost Motel and the Avalon Bed and Breakfast, both on the south end of Duval Street. In June, you will find the prices to be significantly discounted from the "Season" prices. We have used a number of routes from Ohio to south Florida, including I-75 and "Alligator Alley", I-75 and US 41, and I-75 and the Florida Turnpike. Our best route is using the Turnpike with a SunPass for a number of reasons. The traffic is far lighter on the Turnpike, it is 80 miles shorter than any other route(at 8 mpg that means something) and is an hour quicker. The SunPass allows you to blow through the toll stations without stopping. The scenic route is US 41(Tamiami Trail) from Naples to Homestead. It takes no longer than Alligator Alley, has no tolls, and the wildlife through the Everglades is fabulous. I am happy to share whatever we have learned about food, attractions, fishing, or whatever.
Skid Posted February 16, 2013 #32 Posted February 16, 2013 I would love to ride the bike down to the Keys, just haven't got that ride scheduled yet, but retirement is coming soon...
usedcyclesales Posted February 16, 2013 #33 Posted February 16, 2013 Not sure. I-75 down then???? Getting a place reserved is first priority, then I will figure out a route. Prettty much straight there no side trips, then on the way home maybe do some other site seeing. Check out this link Article about Cearwater Beach You might want to hit on your way back it's about 45 minutes from 75 I live 20 minutes from there. On your way back you can swing right off 75 towards St. Petersburg and go over the Sunshine Sky Way Bridge over to St Pete beach then on up ALT. 19 to St.Johns Pass then Clearwater. http://www.johnspass.com/index.php/about/ http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=3&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=8&gs_id=w&xhr=t&q=Skyway+Bridge&es_nrs=true&pf=p&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Skyway+B&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.eWU&fp=12948d4393918b3c&biw=1536&bih=764 http://www.usatoday.com/videos/travel/destinations/2013/02/16/1924743/
motorcycle_1300 Posted February 16, 2013 #34 Posted February 16, 2013 personally I like the keys, but see no reason to go to key west more than once, unless you are looking to be able to say you have been to the southern most point. Stay in the mid keys, Lime tree bay resort on long key beach front, pool and hot tub fishing pier, free use of hotel Kayaks(glass bottom so you can see through). Eat at the wooden spoon in marathon(breakfast or lunch) If you want real good real expensive eat at ziggy and mad dogs on islamorada. Lazy days one or two in Islamorada or marathon is good reasonably priced. Burdines is a grill on top of a marina in Marathon, great burgers and sweet potato fries great view. Porky's on the bay has good BBQ. Nobody has good beer down there unless you like Lite Go to Bahia Honda state park for beach. Take side roads on Big pine look for key deer( sort of like tame miniature white tails) Go deep sea fishing, Bud and Mary's marina Islamorada $65 a day per person on their party boat Consider snorkeling at either Bahia honda, or John Penecamp park Key largo Al
Barrycuda Posted February 16, 2013 #35 Posted February 16, 2013 Check out this link Article about Cearwater Beach You might want to hit on your way back it's about 45 minutes from 75 I live 20 minutes from there. On your way back you can swing right off 75 towards St. Petersburg and go over the Sunshine Sky Way Bridge over to St Pete beach then on up ALT. 19 to St.Johns Pass then Clearwater. http://www.johnspass.com/index.php/about/ http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=3&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=8&gs_id=w&xhr=t&q=Skyway+Bridge&es_nrs=true&pf=p&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Skyway+B&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.eWU&fp=12948d4393918b3c&biw=1536&bih=764 http://www.usatoday.com/videos/travel/destinations/2013/02/16/1924743/ +1 on Johns pass and Clearwater beach. It is an excellent ride and place to park and hang out.
Gary N. Posted February 17, 2013 #36 Posted February 17, 2013 OMG Randy! Michigan to Key West in 2 1/2 days. You're going to need a vacation from your vacation when you get back.
leo3wheel Posted February 17, 2013 #37 Posted February 17, 2013 Yes, I find 500 miles a day on a motorcycle is a lot. Allowed two weeks to drive almost 4,000 miles, play in the Keys and visit friends for a day in Tampa area. It took me a while to recuperate from this ride.
rickardracing Posted February 17, 2013 Author #38 Posted February 17, 2013 OMG Randy! Michigan to Key West in 2 1/2 days. You're going to need a vacation from your vacation when you get back. We did Colorado two years ago. From our hotel in Colorado Springs to our driveway was about 1350 miles. We left for home on a Saturday morning at 5am, rode until 9pm, up on Sunday and on the bike at 6am and we pulled into our driveway at 2:30pm that Sunday. They way we travel is we would rather be on the road a few extra hours than sitting in a motel room. It's a long ride, but very doable in 2 1/2 days. Plus we will probably be going by ourselves so gas stops are pretty much just that, gas, bathroom, back on the bike. So we won't have to wait for others. We made way better time coming home from Colrado than going out. We went out with 3 other bikes. Took way too long getting out there. But we were by ourselves coming home so we made really good time. My wife, real trooper. If she had to go, she waited until a gas stop. Never complained once. If she really had to, she told me, otherwise we rode.
rickardracing Posted February 17, 2013 Author #39 Posted February 17, 2013 I would love to ride the bike down to the Keys, just haven't got that ride scheduled yet, but retirement is coming soon... Lucky duck! I am 48 yrs old. Retirement is a loooooong ways away for me!
Skid Posted February 17, 2013 #40 Posted February 17, 2013 Lucky duck! I am 48 yrs old. Retirement is a loooooong ways away for me! Only 369 days to go, but who's counting? ...I AM!
CaptainJoe Posted February 17, 2013 #41 Posted February 17, 2013 Only 369 days to go, but who's counting? ...I AM! So......Jeff,.... When you officially retire... I'm guessing your gonna want to ride to Key West..... Perhaps we could get a group together next March,2014??? Whadya think Yammer, leo, Mike , Steve, Ventureriders? Only thing I'm asking of you is, no Ebay transactions while riding your bike...LOL I'm up for it...
Yammer Dan Posted February 17, 2013 #42 Posted February 17, 2013 I think I got work to do. "Brown Sugar" thinks she is a hardley....On my new garage floor!!
CaptainJoe Posted February 17, 2013 #43 Posted February 17, 2013 You've got at least 369 days Dan... Get crackin!
Skid Posted February 17, 2013 #44 Posted February 17, 2013 LOL, I forgot about that. I won the bid by sniping it at the last minute. And yes Joe I plan to take a very long trip in the spring of 2014. Also starting to plan a cruise for 2014 too.
reddevilmedic Posted February 17, 2013 #45 Posted February 17, 2013 Johns Pass is lame. I just moved from that area after 15 years. Tourist trap, horrible parking. only one decent restaurant and it closed. NOT Bubba Gumps...yuk. go further south to Anna Maria. the alligator ally is a nice ride, but is under construction often and has these annoying speed bumps. much more to see though then the toll road. hit me up with your itinerary, maybe i will tag along...
leo3wheel Posted February 17, 2013 #46 Posted February 17, 2013 So......Jeff,.... When you officially retire... I'm guessing your gonna want to ride to Key West..... Perhaps we could get a group together next March,2014??? Whadya think Yammer, leo, Mike , Steve, Ventureriders? Only thing I'm asking of you is, no Ebay transactions while riding your bike...LOL I'm up for it... Had such a great time last year that I keep wanting to go again. May get some relief from my burning desire if we go to see my brother-in-law/sister-in-law in Tampa area next month. We have a lot of riding planned this year and postponed trip out west next year. We'll see what develops.
leo3wheel Posted February 17, 2013 #47 Posted February 17, 2013 Johns Pass is lame. I just moved from that area after 15 years. Tourist trap, horrible parking. only one decent restaurant and it closed. NOT Bubba Gumps...yuk. go further south to Anna Maria. the alligator ally is a nice ride, but is under construction often and has these annoying speed bumps. much more to see though then the toll road. hit me up with your itinerary, maybe i will tag along... This was not my experience in the Keys. We went fishing and caught a bunch of yellow tail snapper. Mate cleaned some for me, and had restaurant fry them up for me. What a tasty meal! Mike took us to see a lady who made us conch fritters with a little zip. Yummy! We also had great seafood at a sunset dinner. Marker 88? Would go back to the Keys in a heartbeat.
Globewalker Posted February 18, 2013 #48 Posted February 18, 2013 Wife and I went to Key West last summer (flew) 3 nights and 2 nights in Key Largo on way back to Ft Lauderdale Key West Duval street is the main drag (like Bourban St of New Orleans) We stayed here in Key West http://www.edenhouse.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34345-d224519-Reviews-Eden_House-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html Its a few blocks up from Duval Street but not a bad walk and a pretty cool place (small rooms..) As someone else said.. this place is pretty cool and on the beach https://www.southernmostpoint.com/ In Key Largo I think we stayed at a chain hotel. You can ride in the African Queen there and sport ur best Bogart accent http://www.africanqueenflkeys.com/ There is some shore snorkeling in the keys but for good snorkeling you have to pay for a boat ride to the reef.. weather messed us up there.. so do it when you can
reddevilmedic Posted February 18, 2013 #49 Posted February 18, 2013 This was not my experience in the Keys. We went fishing and caught a bunch of yellow tail snapper. Mate cleaned some for me, and had restaurant fry them up for me. What a tasty meal! Mike took us to see a lady who made us conch fritters with a little zip. Yummy! We also had great seafood at a sunset dinner. Marker 88? Would go back to the Keys in a heartbeat. i wasnt talking about the Keys, just Johns Pass in Madeira Beach. Across the bridge, on Treasure Island side, is Gators bar. Thats a great place to eat gator nuggets! Extremely large bar with excellent bloody marys, as i remember them.
rickardracing Posted February 18, 2013 Author #50 Posted February 18, 2013 Did I hear somebody say Bloody Mary's????? I am there!
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