My friends Keith and Claudia flew in from Texas the other day. They were headed down to Key West for a music festival, and since I had a couple days off I decided to go part of the way with them.

We made a couple stops on our way through Alligator Alley before landing in Key Largo for the night. We only spotted one small alligator, though I know the area is loaded with them (hence the road’s name).

I was excited to see the famous African Queen docked near our hotel. The wooden vessel was used in the film of the same name which starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Standing next to it, the boat seemed awfully small. I’m in awe of the brave seamen who twice traveled the globe with her.

Built in 1912, she has seen better days, then again, she’s also seen worse ones. After starring in the movie in 1951, she ran cargo in Africa before being abandoned in Cairo. In 1968 she was brought to the US only to end up in a cow pasture in the middle of nowhere, Florida. Fifteen years later she was finally brought to Key Largo, refurbished and used for local tours.

She looked fantastic for her centennial but has taken a bashing from hurricanes the last few years and is, once again, in need of repair. Seems like a metaphor for life…

Of course, these lyrics flitted through my brain,

“Just like Bogie and Bacall
Starring in our own late late show
Sailing away to Key Largo
Here’s looking at you, kid
Listen to all the things we did
We can find it once again, I know
Just like they did in Key Largo”*

Our walk back from the tiki bar at the marina took longer because of king tides. The boardwalk was completely underwater, though thankfully, it was not as bad as the coastal flooding over in the Miami area.

This morning we parted ways, Keith and Claudia continued south while I went searching for crocodiles. Yes, crocodiles are native to Florida. They overlap with alligators in the Everglades and the Keys (gators prefer, though are not limited to, freshwater, while crocs like brackish or salty water).

I stopped at a couple preserves on the island in hopes of seeing one but no such luck. The most fearsome beasts I met were mosquitoes. 🦟

Hopefully I’ll find one next time!

*From the song named after the island by Bertie Higgins, if you’re a yacht rock fan, I know you know this one!