3rd POST / 2026 RV ROAD TRIP ~ CROSS COUNTRY LOOP

Key West ~ Daytona Beach ~ Kennedy Space Center ~ St. Augustine

Big Cypress National Preserve

We made a quick stop to try to see some alligators from the boardwalk. We’ve heard they’re not too active currently due to some drought conditions. Seems odd to us as there are swamps and water everywhere in the Everglades.

We didn’t stay long. We didn’t want our dogs to be alligator bait.

Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida protects a vast freshwater swamp ecosystem. The preserve is known for its abundant wildlife, including alligators, birds, and rare orchids.

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The Florida Keys and The Dry Tortuga’s National Park

The Overseas Highway, also known as US1 runs through the Florida Keys like a spine, many times being the ONLY road in a particular Key. The longest span over the ocean between keys is seven miles.

The old bridges are intertwined with the new along the 113 mile Overseas Highway. Large parts were built on the former right of way of the Overseas Railroad. The concept of the automobile Overseas Highway began in 1921. The railroad bridges had been completed first, but were badly damaged by hurricanes and were deemed financially unable to be rebuilt. The railroad bridges that withstood the hurricane were retrofitted with new two lane wide concrete surfaces for automobile use. The new wider more modern bridges in use today were completed in the 1980’s.

Restored sections of the old bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use

Staying on Key West

Key West History ~ Wealth from shipwrecks

During the 1800s, hundreds of ships passed through the Florida Straits. Dangerous reefs and sudden storms often caused these vessels to run aground. Local “wreckers” would watch from lookout towers, then race to the scene to claim cargo and assist crews. The goods recovered from these wrecks were auctioned off in Key West, helping turn the small island into one of the wealthiest cities per capita in the United States.

The Hemingway House

Among the most famous Key West is Ernest Hemingway, who lived and wrote in Key West during the 1930s. His home is now a museum where visitors can explore the lush grounds and meet the descendants of his famous six-toed cats.

The USA Southernmost Point

The island sits just 90 miles from Cuba, and the Southernmost Point Buoy, installed in 1983, marks this spot. It is one of the most photographed locations in Florida.

The lines are always long. We took one for the team!

Donna and Bruce got the pic!

The Chickens

Free-roaming chickens are another well-known part of life in Key West. These birds wander freely throughout the island and are protected by law. They are descendants of chickens brought over by early Cuban settlers and have become a quirky part of the island’s daily life.

Famous Duval Street

Key West boasts the largest historic district of wooden structures in the National Register of Historic Places.

Duval Street is the main drag. Lucky for us, this part of town is very bike friendly. We rode right with the traffic, stoplight to stoplight.

It’s hard to say who is most famous in Key West, Hemingway or Buffet. Duval Street is all about the legendary Jimmy Buffet.

Cruise ships docking in Key West

This is why it is so crowded on Duval Street. The locals know to stay away when the ships are in dock.

The United States Navy

The U.S. Navy has operated an active base in Key West since 1823, serving as a key spot during the Spanish-American War, both World Wars, and the Cold War.

The Dry Tortuga’s National Park / Float Plane

This is why we came back to Florida!

It’s been a pretty ambitious trip to get here to get the stamp in the book for this National Park. We had to make the reservations months in advance, and then plan all of the steps of the trip leaving from Arizona to get us here for a March 19th reservation. We made it!

There are turtles, sharks, and dolphins visible from the air. We were flying at just 500 ft above the water

We spent several hours exploring the island. Many were here for the world class snorkeling. Nope, not us. You can also make arrangements to stay and camp overnight on the beach.

Daytona Beach

The first thing we did was hit the world’s most famous beach.

It is a beautiful stretch of beach. We wanted to give Lotti a chance to get in a few catches. She loves to Frisbee on any beach. Shame on us, we knew there was a strict leash law, but we had a visit from the sheriff and found out there are NO DOGS AT ALL allowed on the beach. We could have gotten a $100 fine.

He let us go after showing us pics of his Belgian Malinois. He was very understanding but rules are rules.

You know what else they do in Daytona ……. THEY RACE!

Daytona International Speedway

This complex is huge. The track is a 2.5 mile oval.

The track was built in 1959 by NASCAR founder Bill France to host racing that was held at the former Daytona Beach Race Course. His banked design permitted higher speeds and gave fans a better view of the cars. The speedway is operated by NASCAR pursuant to a lease with the City of Daytona Beach on the property that runs until 2054. The venue describes itself as the “World Center of Racing”.

The races used to take place on the beach.

Daytona Speedway Museum

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Ponce de Leon Light House

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Cape Canaveral ~ Kennedy Space Center

The space center is huge. It’s impossible to see it all on a day. We prioritized the Atlantis Space Shuttle exhibit. We’ve experienced it once during a prior visit and were blown away.

We walked, and walked, and walked….. Luckily the IMAX and other theaters gave us some time to rest. Overall it’s an amazing experience. It was fun to see the many bus loads of school children here on field trips.

The first manned flight around the moon launch was what we were hoping to see. They kept moving the date. We almost made it but no luck.

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Last stop in Florida, St. Augustine

Our nation’s oldest city

Founded in September 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain, St. Augustine is the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the United States – more commonly called the “Nation’s Oldest City.” 

It’s obvious this is a very old city. The architecture is beautiful. It’s also very small and an easy walk through downtown and to visit the fort.

CastillodeSanMarcos National Monument, site of the oldest masonry fort in the United States, built by the Spaniards on Matanzas Bay between 1672 and 1695 to protect the city of St. Augustine.

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St. Augustine Light House

David made the climb this time.

View from the top

Goodbye Florida! The great free state. We’re on to Savannah.

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