Overseas Highway

It’s cold and snowy here in the Northeast and I’m starting to go into withdrawal as I’m now hitting months since I’ve been on my bike. Since I can’t get out on the local roads, I’m dreaming of someday trips, perfect places for a motorcycle vacation. Top of the list is the 113 mile Overseas Highway between Miami and Key West. The idea of sunshine and miles of bridges over looking the ocean with lots of pull offs, parking lots and beaches for photo ops sounds perfect.

On any trip I like to find out what events are happening during my visit and what the locals might recommend I see and do. I’m not a very good planner, I tend to go with a broad idea and fill in once I arrive. For that reason my first stop would be the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce (I also hear they have clean bathrooms).

I know it’s not very far down the road, but I think I’m spending the rest of the day and an overnight on Islamorada. Here are my three reasons why:

Florida Keys Brewing Company: Check out their about page, who wouldn’t want to hang out with such an awesome staff!

Islamorada Brewery & Distillery: I can’t decide if I’ll start with beer, Dark Barrel Aged Rum or Hibiscus Gin!

The Gypsy: Once your inhibitions are down, spend the evening jamming with local musicians. WILD+Free Brewery is their in-house “smallest brewery in America”.

The next morning it’s all about the bridges and the beaches. In total there are 42 bridges on the Overseas Highway. As far as beaches, I’m going to pull off to whatever ones look the most inviting. I find it interesting that in a lot of spots there are two bridges. One open to traffic, and the parallel option, the original bridge, many of which were destroyed or damaged in the the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. I’m most looking forward to seeing the following bridges. Seven Mile Bridge at just under 7 miles long is the longest bridge on this trip.

I love how the old and new bridges overlap on this picture of Old and New Channel 5 Bridge.

I can’t wait to get my camera on Bahia Honda Railroad Bridge. As long as I’m making good time I plan to spend a lot of time at Bahia Honda State Park, enjoying the water and photographing the bridges.

My goal is to make it to Mallory Square in Key West two hours before sunset to enjoy all the festivities and street performers at the daily Sunset Celebration. I want to be part of the tradition started by Tennessee Williams of applauding the sunset.

If I got rid of my demons, I’d lose my angels.

Tennessee Williams