After canceling my other camping reservations (someone else can enjoy that good luck), I headed to Key Largo and checked into a hotel for some much-needed self-care. I plugged in every device I owned, took a long hot shower, put food in the refrigerator, connected to the internet, and flipped through the endless supply of cable channels. Luxury!
It rained for two more days, so I was grateful to be dry, comfortable, and surrounded by modern conveniences. I stocked up on supplies at the drugstore, ate amazing fresh seafood at a laid-back fish shack, and yes — more Key Lime pie. By the time the rain let up, my psyche felt fully recharged.
While I was holed up, I did some internet wandering and learned a bit about the Keys. The trees behind my campsite, for example, are mangroves. They grow along tropical and subtropical shorelines and are protected in Florida because they play a vital role stabilizing the land, filtering the water, and providing a habitat for countless species.
I also learned that the sign I’d noticed wasn’t about crocodiles, but referred to crocodilians, the larger group of reptiles that includes alligators and crocodiles (and a few others I won’t be swimming with anytime soon).
As for the infamous no-see-ums, it turns out they can’t handle even a light breeze. So when I arrived at the campground during a rainstorm, I had unknowingly parked myself in their dream scenario and became their dinner.
This hotel stay cleared my head and helped me rethink the rest of the trip. I decided to save my originally planned visit to the Everglades and west coast for another time, and instead focus on fixing the van setup. There’s too much stuff, nowhere to put it, and I’m constantly rearranging and losing things. Not exactly relaxing.
Still, I’m not ready to give up on the adventure. And then, as luck would have it, two nights just opened up at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. I jumped on them immediately. The forecast looks good, and the park has swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, a food truck, and more. I’m ready to get the trip back on track.
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