FL Day 3: A Few Keys

  We decided that we were going to have kickstands up at 9am and we actually did it.  There was a great debate about if we should or should not wear rain gear.  Most of us said that we probably won't need it and would just end up sweaty from it.

  We stopped at Mile Marker 88 for lunch and I got the watermelon mojito and the Cuban Sandwich.  I looked at the Islamorada Fish Sandwich, but my mom suggested the Cuban Sandwich.  I got mine with the Key Lime Hollandaise.
  Then there was more talk on if we would need rain gear or not.  Some people put on a jacket but not everyone put on their full rain gear.  Bill and I still didn't put in our liners.
  We were having fun going over the bridge/road that connects the Keys when the first downpour started.  By the time we could find a spot to stop we had managed to get through the worst of it and only had a bit of drizzle to deal with.  The plan had been to be to make one more bar stop before the hotel, but most of the group wanted to just push through and get there.
  It didn't take too long before we were all dry again and even saw some sun and blue sky.  We had a pretty good view as we went over the 7 Mile Bridge.
  Unfortunately when we saw Key West, we also saw a line of dark and angry clouds.  It wouldn't have been too bad if it was a warm rain, but that down pour was cold and hurt.  We pulled into a tiny hotel and the lady at the front desk asked if anyone needed a towel.  Another couple had ducked in there before us with their dog.  He was nice and I got to pet him.
  Once it let up a little we found out that we were only 13 miles from our hotel and decided to make a run for it.  We got hit by another cold hard rain and then had to deal with "puddles" ranging from the standard few inches up to two feet.  Some of the cars weren't even slowing down and splashing us.
  The hotel parking lot even had some rivers/ponds to deal with.  After everyone came in wet and grumpy the guy at the front desk told us that we could not leave the bikes in the overhang, even though we left space for cars to pass by, and had to move them to the motorcycle parking lot.  I made sloshing sounds as I took our stuff up stairs.

  When you blow dry your socks from the inside it makes it look like there are feet in there.  I found it way too funny and it helped me to be less grumpy.

  So beautiful looking.  At least it waited until we were inside before it got worse.  The original plan was to take the shuttle into town to get dinner, but everyone was tired of dealing with the rain, so we just took over the second seating area of the restaurant.
  I got the homemade conch chowder and key lime pie.  When our waiter was asked if the chowder was creamy, he said yes, but it was really tomato based.  It was still good, but I was a tiny bit disappointed.

  The pie was really thick, like a softened white chocolate.  It had an even balance between sweet and tart.  It was really good and Trish and I made a plan to try a bunch of different Key Lime pies while we are here and decide which one we liked best.