Category Archives: Bike Touring

Final, and best, stop: Hawk’s Cay Resort, Duck Key, Florida

Our bike trip came to an end (and a great road trip it was) at Hawk’s Cay Resort. It is a beautiful place located on Duck’s Key. It was a short week ago that we left the car here. They were very gracious and let us leave the car while we went riding.

It is a beautiful property. Between the spa, docks, pools, and scenery, it was just the right place for us to land after staying in some funky places along the way. It is one of the most service oriented places we have stayed in a long time. We were there on a shoulder season so our room price was quite good. It is a fairly expensive place to stay but so worth it.

We rode up to the front of the place and dropped off our bags. Then we went to the parking lot and packed up the bikes before we checked in. The room was lovely and the bathroom had a wonderfully large shower. We both really enjoyed it after our ride and after all of the not so great showers along the way.

It was a bit late for lunch and too early for dinner so we went to the tiki bar for a celebratory drink (okay, we were ready for a drink) and some munchies. We had some chips and salsa and some popcorn shrimp. They were so delicious. The bartenders are fun as well. The drink (mojitos) were good. They held us over for dinner.

Hawks Cay Tiki Bar

We walked around the property just to see what is there. It is a great place for families with lots of interesting pools including one that is not quite a pool but a lagoon that has a sandy bottom and filled with some fish so younger children can experience the sea in a safe environment.

There is lots of adult recreation as well with fishing, diving, kite boarding, paddle boarding, sea kayaking, and any other water sport anyone can think of. There is also lots of places to just sit at the dock of the bay.

hawks Cay dock

I would imagine it would be a great spot for a business meeting although who wants to be in a meeting room when they can be outside for all the things to do. I didn’t see a golf course but it may be there. They have a big tennis area with pros that provide lessons.

We had dinner in Alma (their elegantly informal restaurant). Their wine list is quite good. The service is excellent. We shared with the garlic shrimp as an appetizer.

Hawks Cay garlic shrimp

 

It was just yummy. Basically, we wanted to lick the plate. Mike had the paella and it was very good. I ordered a steak because after all of the seafood and fish we ate, I needed a steak.

Hawks Cay steak

While it was good, it was delivered a little cool. I would have sent it back but I was just too hungry so I let it slide but I did tell the waiter. They took the steak off of our bill which I thought was exceptional since I didn’t send it back. They also called us later that evening to offer a bottle of wine because of the cool steak. We thought they were incredibly gracious. We would go back there again simply because of their service.

We had breakfast the next morning in Ocean that had a very good buffet or you can order off a menu.

We left that morning for home. What a trip. We loved the Florida Keys, our excellent adventure, and hope to return sometime soon especially to Hawk’s Cay.

Hawk Cay front with car

Newport Beach to San Diego (Torrey Pines)

August 1, 2011

As Mike explained in an earlier post, I (Nancy) had my first mini-tour experience in Ojai.  Well, I didn’t get enough,  so we decided to take a trip to San Diego from our home in Newport Beachto celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary.   It is about 85 miles total.  We decided to ride about 30 miles each day,  so I set about looking for hotels that would work for us. I am a compulsive planner and want to make sure the hotels are really good (not just decent).

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Our First Mini-Tour

April 16, 2011

Once Mike got us hooked on the idea of touring on our trikes,  we started looking for a short trip that would be relatively easy and beautiful at the same time.   We decided to ride from Ventura, California to Ojai, California on the Ventura River Trail.   We spent the night in Ojai and returned on Sunday to Ventura.   Not so much riding – only about 40 miles – but very fun.   It was the first time Nancy ever contemplated riding a bike anywhere that would force her to be dependent on herself (and not have a car to drive to a store or restaurant) and Mike.

Continue reading Our First Mini-Tour