Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Lazy Lakes RV Park, Sugarloaf Key, FL:  Drove up to Key Largo today because we have to stop at Holiday RV there on our way to the Everglades to get a new water pump.  Mike wanted to see where it is exactly since we’ll be pulling the fifth wheel.  Checked out the place and got the new pump ordered. It’ll be an easy in and out since it’s on the ocean side.  On our way there we stopped at the Stuffed Pig for a sumptuous breakfast.  On our way back down the Keys we stopped at Duck Key and explored around a bit.  Then stopped at Crane Point  in Marathon which was purchased by the Florida Keys Land & Sea Trust in 1989, thus preserving this 63 acre treasure from future development.  This area was originally settled by  Bahamian immigrants and then the Cranes purchased the property and built a home on the point with panoramic views of Florida Bay.

The Adderley House--built by Bahamian immigrant, George Adderley.  He built this home out of "tabby" (made of burnt seashells) in the early 1900s.  It's the oldest home in the Keys outside of Key West and is on the list of historic places.
The Cranes bought the property and had this house built at the end of the point in 1954.


This is the home as it looks today.  They're planning on rehabbing when they get enough money.

One of the views of Florida Bay from the house.

They had a protected lagoon where they could swim.
Hiking the trails in here was a bit of a challenge--lots of sharp coral and roots as big as my thigh.  But I don't know how the early pioneers were able to navigate through these mangroves.

Another little key off the end of Crane point.