I was asked where in the USA I could see myself living and I answered "Florida". Living certainly, working maybe less so. This state has too many things to enjoy - the weather, the entertainment, the food, the cultural mix, the outdoor life. So there I found myself again in Florida.
As usual, there was a stop at the tennis tournament. This year was however double bad luck. Both - yes, both - semifinal matches did not take place, because in each ones, a player retired for health reason. How much bad luck is that... We bought tickets for the day and the night sessions, and both sessions ended up with no matches being played. Instead, we got to see the practice sessions of the main contenders. Better than nothing...
Miami was its usual fun and fun and fun. Ok, it was also good food - excellent seafood, a bit of shopping on Lincoln road, and relaxing times at Miami beach.
It was the occasion to go again to the Evergleades, and do the great bike ride. Once more, the most impressive animals were the alligators.Glad I still have all my fingers, and that alligators do not jump on innocent bikers passing by...
And the baby alligators - are they not cute? They would have been fine in the bath... for now.
It was also the occasion to drive across the Florida Keys. I neither counted the number of bridges we crossed, nor the islands we drove through.
The drive was very nice, including on the 7-mile bridge, apparently the longest in the USA. Thankfully, we did drive on the right bridges... Well, there are some old bridges, which were built in the 1910s for the train track linking the mainland and going up to Key West. Some of these bridges did not resist the passage of powerful hurricanes.
The long road led us to the end or the beginning - the "mile 0" - of US Highway Number 1, and to the southernmost point in the USA.
Key West has indeed a little air of end of the world - with Southern charm. The town has some beautiful buildings and hosted some famous people who enjoy the peace and quiet life.
I am not sure this is still the case nowadays. Indeed, there are many many many roosters all over in town. Probably a sign that there are not many cats and dogs in town. But the animal we were the happiest and proudest to spot was the key deer on Big Pine Key.
Of course, the trip was also worth it because of the nice beaches, but this is not the place for beach pictures. Instead, let me finish with a much better picture - the one of one of the many islands. Who wants to be a millionaire?
