Pictured from above are the crystal clear waters off Sugarloaf Key in Florida Bay, (inset) Get Up and Go Kayaking tours (in clear boats) cover miles of mangroves and bay waters, experiences you won't forget.
Florida
Roadtrip Series
Our High in the Lower Keys Capturing True Florida Attitude, Fall is the Time to Go ost folks think of “The Keys” and they think of partying in Key West. Or snorkeling in Key Largo.
But the Lower Keys offer so much more than that, and they dial in on that true Florida feel. The fall season is the time to go—smaller crowds and cooler weather—so we headed south to explore. Loosely defined as the area between the Seven Mile Bridge and Stock Island, the Lower Keys consist of the islands joined by the twenty-five bridges on U.S. Highway 1 that span that area. Together, they represent an attitude of laid-back Florida that is often hard to find in our daily lives.
RELAXED, EASY-GOING AND SERENE Our first stop was at The Lagoon at Grassy Key. Though technically a few miles north of the Lower Keys, The Lagoon at Grassy Key embodies all the attitude—relaxed, easy-going and serene. An area
34
F L O R I DAC O U N T RY D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 1 | J a n u a r y 2 0 2 2
staple for over 10 years, it is the only licensed amusement park in the Keys. Bongos Beer Garden Café, run by Chef Andy, features homemade dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, including homegrown herbs and vegetables from onsite gardens. They also showcase twenty local craft beers. We eagerly sampled the Iguana Bait beer—a Kölsch beer brewed locally in Islamorada and made with Keys honey and hibiscus. The centerpiece of The Lagoon at Grassy Key is Keys Cable Park, created for teaching locals and visitors alike a variety of board, wind and paddle sports. They have installed a cable system for wakeboarding, replacing the need for a boat to enjoy this unique activity. Their system is comprised of an overhead towing device used to pull riders across a body of water. It is an amazing way to feel the freedom of this growing sport. Located just minutes down the street, Grassy Flats Resort and Beach Club is the sister property of The Lagoon on Grassy Key. It is a locally owned boutique
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GET UP AND GO KAYAKING
M
Written by: Dave Kelly
