It is 0430 as I write this post but the world must know of my 42 hours in the Florida Keys.

I headed out from Miami early Sunday and saw the sunrise just as I reached Key Largo. I was warned by other bikers to be careful going through the Keys but I found it an easy ride like any other rural route.

Albeit one with the Atlantic on one side.

And the Gulf on the other.

I stopped excited to take this little guy’s photo but found he was sleeping and never going to wake up.

First thing I looked to do in Key West was go diving. This was my dive partner, Maya from Israel.

As an experienced diver I opted for the MEGA Fins.

BLUE STEEL

When you dive you wear a combination of a weight belt and buoyancy vest that helps you maintain a steady level in the water so you glide rather than swim. I clearly lost a lot of weight as I vastly underestimated how much weight to wear during my first dive. This caused me to go up and down during the dive stressing my body with the varying water pressures. When I came up blood vessels in my eyes were burst so for the next few days my eyes look like this.

I refused to pay exorbitant Key West hotel prices and ended up here…..back in basic training barracks.

Lots of weirdos in Key West, cool that they have their own corner of the country.

Despite……South Dakota crosswinds, danger close Bison, Colorado State Patrol, cranky Grandma, Texas, spiders that bit me on top of the school bus, motorcycle super slide, Florida’s VietCong mosquitos…….I have arrived at the southernmost point of our nation.

And look who came along for the ride.

I left Key West around noon and stopped to take this photo.

When I got back on my bike it would not start. I tried all the troubleshooting and fixes I knew and got nowhere. For the next five (5) hours I was stuck by the side of the road at Mile Marker 35 in the Florida Keys.

I called motorcycle mechanics (closed), my insurance (useless), my Dad, the guy who sold me the bike in Pennsylvania, NORTHCOM, my neighbor Eric, Miami Harley and still got nowhere.

So how did I spend five (5) hours under the Florida sun by the side of the road? I paced, played with my knife, watched ants, practiced answers to job interview questions, kept trying to fix my bike and melted. I did stay hydrated and did not hallucinate although I swam in the ocean to cool off and thought for a second about defecting to Cuba.

I also took a nap under this bridge.

Look at me, I’m a hobo!

I needed a hero and he arrived in the form of fellow rider Grant LaMarche. Grant pulled up and we did joint troubleshooting and I realized what might solve the problem was in Miami. Grant then left and returned with his wife’s minivan and offered me a ride.

I will NEVER make fun of minvans again.

This brother biker drove me the 2 1/2 hours up to Miami and 2 1/2 hours back to the Keys to help another biker out and I even slept on the floor of the van on the return trip. What we picked up worked and my bike started up like a champ. I was so ecstatic I forgot to get a picture of Grant so this likeness will have to suffice.

Grant asked about and will read the blog so let him know you feel about him. I for one am Pro-Grant.

But wait there’s more!

I stopped at the next gas station to refuel Grant’s van and say goodbye. I chatted with the ladies working the graveyard shift at the station and they let me use the restroom to throw away the clothes I wore that day and take a sink bath.

I must have looked really bad because when I came out they offered me some money and food. I tried to better explain my trip but Cynthia (below) was adamant and eventually demanded to see my wallet to ensure I had money.

I sped off with these two girls watching me through the glass with pensive smiles.

The kindness of strangers.