Our campsite last night was updated from a small square plot of sand to a nice screened in group campsite hut. The front door had three locks to keep us vagrants out, but no one bothered to keep the side door locked. Just a sleeping mat on the floor worked like a champ and Folker slept on a large wooden table using his sleeping mat. Just a few mosquitoes found their intended targets and some large winged moth like creature buzzed my ear a few times. No complaints here though, thank you very much.

This morning offered something I have never seen in lightning bug behavior. It was around 4 am and I was on my way back from my trek over the mangrove swamp for a latrine visit when I saw a long bright green flash coming from under the vegetation on the sandy ground. One turned into two, then into three and then a dozen it seemed. I have only seen these creatures lighting up the sky just after sunset. It was amazing to see them communicating to each other so early in the morning under the stars.

Today would be the day we would exit the Florida Keys and make our way closer to Miami. The forecasted winds were still 20 mph out of the east. Off we went well before sunrise to slowly make our way. Do not worry friends, we did get to enjoy a nice tailwind early this morning when we took one particular short bridge used by fishermen that paralleled the main road’s bridge connecting the keys. When I say short, short as in it does not make it all the way over to the other side. Folker was not pleased, but I did point out that we did indeed finally get a tailwind for a mile, or so, making our back to get to the correct bridge.

I did enjoy hearing the small waves hitting the rocks next to the road and seeing the sun rise this morning. The smells of the ocean is a nice way to get the senses going for sure. I could also hear and see the speedy fishing boats flying across the water at breakneck speeds assumably heading to their fishing holes.

On the way out of Key Largo, I did pop into the state park that Erin and the kids are staying for a couple nights and was able to say hey to Erin. The kids were still sound asleep and they definitely need the rest as Erin as some big plans for those two the next couple days.

Today’s challenging part of the ride was the 20 mile stretch from Key Largo to the Homestead area. The stretch consisted of an exposed straight road with large fences on both sides protecting the road users from the crocodiles. No shade to be found on the road at all so before starting the segment it was vital we got some extra fluids in our body and fill up our bottles.

Once the 20 mile segment was completed we stopped at a convenience store before jumping on the South Dade Trail. I was eating my Caesar Chicken Wrap at a table inside the store when a couple asks where I was headed. They quickly gave me a recommendation for a local fisherman in Portland, Maine that allows people to jump on his boat and help gather lobsters for a minimal charge. One could then have the local restaurant cook them up right on the spot. Sounds like a great place to me.

After talking more and explaining to them how much of the country my kids have been able to see over the last few summers, they explained that their kids also have had similar experiences. They work as household goods movers for the US Government and believe you me we are familiar with their operations. They had the opportunity to bring their kids along for the ride all over the country periodically. Unfortunately, they have recently lost one of their young sons to a fentanyl overdose. We definitely live during some scary times and this family knows this first hand. They gave their kid some amazing experiences before this tragedy and they do seem to find some happiness in that fact.

Leaving the store with a heavy heart, we found the South Dade Trail moving us up to South Miami Heights. This trail parallels the car free South Miami-Dade Busway which is currently undergoing some major terminal construction with the road itself having been repaved already. We happily jumped back and forth from the trail to the busway for the remainder of the day.

The Larry and Penny Thompson Park and campground located adjacent to the Miami Zoo was our destination for the day. I do have to admit that checking in for our tent sites became very interesting when we were handed our tent site markers to be placed by our individual tents. Let’s just call these large beauties what they really are, a damn sign people. I asked if they could be delivered as I could no way think about riding with that huge beast.