Today was officially a YOYO day - you’re on your own, however, we started the day with an optional ride hosted by one of the tour volunteers, Joe. Only Alan and I did this optional ride of 20 miles. Joe took us to the site of the Old Seven Mile Bridge. Currently only two miles are restored and it is for pedestrian and bicycle use only. The current Seven Mile Bridge is alongside the old bridge. When we started riding at 8am it was 79 degrees with a 22 mph wind out of the ENE and gusts of 29 mph. The 9 miles out was a breeze, pun intended, but the trip back was tough into those winds.
After the ride, Alan and I headed to Anne’s Beach. Our ride literature indicated that you might spot an octopus while wading, however, we only saw a few small crabs. After time at the beach, we headed to the Islamorada Brewery & Distillery for lunch. We had the most delicious hamburger topped with bacon, cheese, pineapple and teriyaki sauce. We also sampled several of their locally made beers. My favorite was the No Wake Zone a coconut key lime blonde ale and Alan’s favorite was their Snake Creek oatmeal stout.
Later in the evening for dinner we ate at Frank’s Grill, an Italian restaurant, that seemed to be favored by locals (or so it seemed from the chatter we heard between customers and the staff).
At the start of the “old” Seven Mile Bridge.
Where the restored section of the bridge ends.
The new Seven Mile Bridge on the left, and the old one on the right.
View from the old Seven Mile Bridge,
Along the Atlantic side of the Keys.
The boardwalk at Anne’s Beach.
Along the shore within Anne’s Beach.
Our lunch stop for the day,
