Islamorada

Islamorada -say it slowly eye-lah-mah-rah-day-is a village of islands in the Florida keys which draws fishermen and women  for the world's best fishing.  Our first stop on our day of exploring Islamorada is the Bass Pro Shop. That the parking spaces are lined with fish stencils should be an indication that this shop is all about fishing.  Visitor's can find much to stay entertained: an outdoor library, rod and reel repair, salt water, freshwater and fly fishing departments, an everglades aquarium, water sports equipment, an art gallery and "Pilar" the sister ship to Hemingway's boat and apparel departments for men, women, and children. 

A restaurant upstairs named Zane Gray overlooks the marina where charter fishing trips can be booked easily.   Islamorada Fish Company  which is adjacent to Bass Pro was established in 1948 as a family owned and operated business supplying fresh seafood to locals and restaurants.  In 1993 they set up picnic tables and it grew into a famous restaurant.  In 1998 the restaurants formed a partnership with Johnny Morris's Bass Pro Shops.  We ate at this restaurant in 1994 and again in  2015.  The food is still good and  the facility has been updated and enlarged. 

Fish line the parking spaces

The view from the restaurant is lovely even on a cloudy, overcast, windy day. 

There is no shortage of shops in Islamorada, whether one is looking for a souvenir T-Shirt, sandals, or large sea shells to take home, it can be found at one of the many stores along US 1.  We stopped into the Rain Barrel, a conglomeration of several shops with individual artists selling their wares.  The Lobster out front called us in to visit.

And Steve couldn't resist the T-Shirt shop upon which the Blue's Brothers were sitting!

 


Joy