SATURDAY
Airport to Homestead is heavily trafficked and developed. Apartment buildings, pawnships that double as gunshops, used car lots contained by flag-like banners, convenience stores, billboards advertising Spanish-language radio statons and discounts from the Geico gecko. One misplaced egret picks at the grassy median strip, oblivious to the bumper-to-bumper car traffic.
The road changes abrupted after Homestead. Just one lane each way. Low trees on each side of the road, often blocking my view of the water beyond. Slim egrets with their sinuous lines feed in the water. The sun sets low to the right, splashing pink and gold.
Iggy turns off on a dirt road just before the Jewfish Creek drawbridge. We need a drink after driving 2 hours and 20 minutes. We’ve exhausted the frozen water bottles schlepped from Boston in our carry-on luggage.
Now we’re on a broader piece of land. There’s a town here. And Pennekamp Coral Reef. Is this Key Largo? The ambulance heading back toward the mainland has Key Largo emblazoned on its side.
I’ve seen at least three adult video stores on our drive here. Love toys are among their offerings. Does that mean a teddy bear holding a red satin heart?