Day15 28Feb25 - Moving North and being 'Googled'

Friday we took our time packing at the campground. While packing up, a couple from Duxbury, Vermont stopped by, Joe and Terri Steger. They left VT the day after we did, but they will stay in KW for a few weeks, they do it every year. 

It was nice but cloudy in KW when we departed about 1030 and set off North.  We had no problems on the bridges and stopped for lunch at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. 

We tried to get a site for the night, but they were booked. It was 1230 and they said they might open up one of their reserved sites at 1300 but we would have to be first in line. So we drove to the parking area and I waked back to the office. At 1245 they told me they were not going to release any sites, yes very odd, they seemed to be saving them for something.  It is nearly impossible to get a camping site in Florida this time of year without reserving far in advance. 

I had parked in the shade under a tree and when I returned I found we had a stowaway on our windshield. He road around the park with us, I parked for lunch in the shade, we hope he got off before we left. 

After lunch we stretched our legs exploring the park. It is a nice park with lots of available activities from snorkeling to boat rides.

 June checked out the beach, she said the water was quite warm. 

I found a few coconuts on our walk, one seemed to be good so I took it with me, I will crack it at a later time. 

Since we could not get a site at the State Campground, after lunch, I requested and was approved to stop at a Harvest Host, the ChainBridge Distillery which is just north of Fort Lauderdale. 

We were on the Florida Turnpike when google reported an accident ahead of us that was going to add 25mins to our drive but offered an alternative route that would save us 12mins. I normally don't take the google suggestions, but I was watching time being added to the slowdown, so we took it.  As Ed Allen would say "we were googled", it may have saved some time but there was a price, we were on dirt roads with pot holes that could remove the wheels from your vehicle.  It was only about 10 miles but it was painful.  

This is what it looks like when you are googled. Googled 28Feb25

We got through it and even still had the scooter on the back. 

We arrived at ChainBridge around 1715 and were met by one of the owners who helped us park. We are in the city, but they said it is very safe. 

Of course we went inside and sampled some of their products.  We had a nice conversation with the primary owner/operator of the distillery.  The family is from Hungary and he runs it with his mother and father, he learned from his grandfather who passed just before they opened 5 years ago. They were very welcoming and have an interesting story. 

I did a flight of White Whiskey (aged in stainless steel barrels), cherry rum, and two gins.  June had a cocktail.  

I was amazed at how smooth the White Whiskey was, it smelled like moonshine but did not have that terrible burn. 

They are known for their Vodka and Gin, so I purchased a bottle of Gin for Martinis later. 

We don't have real plans for Saturday other than we will try to link up with our niece Sam and her mom Michele for dinner.