Our first trip for 2010 was to the Florida Keys and Key West. We spent most of the week in Islamorada exploring the upper and middle keys, then spent a few days in Key West, hoping to take a boat to the Dry Tortugas. Unfortunately, many water activities were constrained by record cold temperatures in the south during the entire period we were there. We have the dubious distinction of having been in Key West for its coldest temperature on record, 43 deg F. We never did get to the Dry Tortugas National Park. The wind, waves and record cold forced the operators to cancel the trips for several days.

Despite not being able to do many on- or in-water activities we did like the Keys. For us it is the most interesting part of Florida. There is still enough preserved wilderness in parks and refuges to make touring interesting. Our friends, Phil and Judy James, drove down from their home in Central Florida to spend a part of the week with us. The Keys were new to them also. There are several parks along the upper and middle keys, some devoted to protecting the barrier reef that runs the entire length of the keys, others mostly preserving shore bird habitat. We returned to Long Key State Park several times because the shore- and wading- birds were most accessible there, especially at low tide. With better weather snorkeling and kayaking in the mangrove channels between the keys would have added to the enjoyment.

Key West, the Dry Tortugas, Biscayne National Park and the parks in the upper keys are all worth a return visit in better weather. You really do have to get out on the water to really experience this area.