Finding Bluewater Key RV Resort in Key West, Florida

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WELCOME! We’re delighted that you will spend some time at our “little piece of paradise!” Bluewater Key RV Ownership Resort is the newest RV Park in the Florida Keys. Sites are individually owned. Each owner arranges for the management of his own site. Let us know if you find anything that needs our attention! This will offer things that may help you plan your stay! Please – drop us a note, email, or call with changes to these notes! Roland and Rita Clark. . . . P O Box 420846, Summerland Key, FL 33042 rita@bluewaterkey.net 305-744-0999 Please read this paragraph even if you don’t read ANYTHING else in this information sheet: We want you to have a wonderful stay in Paradise at Clarks’ RV lots in Bluewater Key. Like all other RV parks, there are some deed restrictions that we have to observe for the enjoyment of all. To quote directly, “...It is the specific intent of these restrictive covenants to maintain the RV Park as an exclusive luxury resort to be used solely for recreational vehicles having their own bath, toilet and kitchen facilities...The following uses and activities shall be prohibited....any on the ground camping or outdoor overnight sleeping in a tent or pop up trailer that is not a self contained recreational vehicle capable of and ready to be hooked up to the existing lot electric, water, and sewer facilities.” There is also a requirement that your rig be clean and in good repair, and a limit of two pets per RV. Now, on to things to help you find us and enjoy Paradise at Bluewater Key! WHAT YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ARRIVE I. HOW TO FIND THE PARK & WHERE TO STOP OVERNIGHT IF IT GETS TOO LATE Lot Number and Arrival Dates: Please review your attached bill. Please confirm your arrival date and departure date by phoning us or by sending us an email. Gate Code: ____(provided with your confirmation). Pull over & enter code at the pad on the right side of the entry. Enter only numbers; no # or * needed. NOTE: Call a day before arrival to be sure that code is same. Check out before 11 am, and check in is 3 pm, but we can sometimes let you arrive earlier if the prior guest has left your lot and landscaping cleanup is completed. Please call if you hope to arrive before 3 pm. Address: Bluewater Key RV Resort, Lot ___, 2950 US Hwy 1, Key West 33040 (near MM 14) In the Keys, US Highway 1, also known as the Overseas Highway, is our Main Street. The best way to get around is to know the Mile Marker (MM) of your destination. These little green signs that dot our highway every mile begin in Key West at MM 0 (zero) and end in Florida City with MM 127, so you will “work you way down” to us at Mile Marker 14.3 (14 point 3 – not one hundred forty three). Getting to Bluewater Key from the North - The Florida Turnpike Extension ends in Florida City (near Homestead), where it flows onto US Highway 1 Southbound. From this point, you have 113 miles to go. Do not count on making 113 miles in two hours. You will be lucky to average 45 miles/hr. Plan on 2-3/4 to 3+ hours for the trip from Florida City to Bluewater Key; allow more to “stop and smell the roses.” Warning: If dark is approaching, please consider stopping. There is a stretch where “Key Deer” are protected. The speed limit there is 35 after dark and is strictly enforced. Numerous RV/Key deer wrecks occur each season, and repairs (and tickets) can be costly. And, the drive is beautiful, with vistas from bridges that one should not miss! Also, it is not easy to get situated at our park after dark. The park features “low level” lighting. No one complains about bright lights bothering their sleep, but it is not great for backing into a space after dark. Bluewater Key RV Resort is between MM 15 & 14, at MM 14.3 Approaching from “up” the Keys, you are getting close to Bluewater when you pass the Sugarloaf Lodge (MM 17). Start slowing two miles after the Lodge. Watch the left side for Bluewater Key sign (blue letters on white background). 1. Turn left onto Bluewater Drive (just past the bus bench--hard to spot the turn the first time). 2. After turning left on Bluewater, take left side of Bluewater Drive’s “Y” for park entrance. 3. See pgs 4-5 now for info on tow cars, dollies, boats, etc.– before you enter the park 4. Enter gate code at pad on right side of road, just before the gate at entrance to park. Warning: If you miss your left turn onto Bluewater Drive, you have to go a few miles to turn around. The closest turn around that will easily accommodate RV’s with car in tow is the Circle K Market on the left at MM 11. If you do the turn around, you are approaching from the Key West direction. Come 3 miles back from the Circle K, and make a right turn onto Bluewater Drive. RV Stopping Spots in Florida City & Homestead - If you get to the end of the Turnpike late in the day and wish to stop, here are some options for overnighting (skip to #3 for my favorite): 1. WalMart at next to last turnpike exit US1 North. The US 1 N exit ramp ends near an entrance to a WalMart 24-hour Supercenter. (Phone 305-242-4447). Good groceries here. Some owners and guests overnight here, but the night crowd seems rough to me, and I don’t like overnighting in this WalMart. I’ve also heard the local police will hassle RV’ers at night. 2. There is a city park near the WalMart that guests have said is “OK”. We have never stayed there. People who have stayed there say it is fine. Florida City Campsite (305) 248-7889. Take the WalMart exit - US 1 N - from the turnpike. Do NOT turn right on US1 at the bottom of the exit to go to WalMart. Cross US 1 at the bottom of the exit. The campground is a few blocks straight ahead of you. Full hookups. No reservations, but people say there are usually spots. Honor system after hours. Bonus: near Farmers’ Market. 3. In our opinion, by far the best option here in Homestead/Florida City is an RV Park, Southern Comfort RV Resort, that can be reached by exiting the turnpike at the end onto US 1 south; turn left (east) at the first light (Palm). After turning left onto Palm Drive, the park is on the right in a couple blocks. “Resort” is a an exaggeration, but it is better than #2, above. You can specifically request a pull through space so you don’t have to disconnect tow cars/5th wheels, and there are some pretty good restaurants and shopping within a block or two. Phone 305-248-6909. Web address: http://www.gzinc.com/comfortrv/ II. STOPS YOU MIGHT NEED TO MAKE EN ROUTE, ALONG HWY 1 Gas/Diesel/Propane Stops between Homestead and Bluewater Key - The best plan is to fill up with both on the “mainland” – this will save you at least 10 to 20 cents per gallon. But if you need fuel, since it is sometimes hard to spot gas/diesel stations that accommodate large rigs, here are ones we have used for our rigs. Let me know if you find another for the list: 1. Key Largo – Shell – On your left heading south, MM 99.8. Diesel + gas. 2. Hess – On your left, heading south, in front of a small strip mall, just past the Shell in Key Largo; about MM 99.5 or so. Diesel + gas. 3. Big Pine – Paradise Petroleum, on your left, heading south, MM 30. This station has gas, diesel & propane, but is not easy to enter/exit and has been reported by my guests as dirty and unfriendly to non-locals ... use only if you must get fuel immediately. 4. Summerland – Chevron, I think; left, heading south, MM 25. GAS ONLY, but good access. 5. Summerland - Dion’s Quick Mart; on left, heading south, near MM 25. Diesel & gas. Nice people, not my preferred diesel spot; I have had “water in fuel” light twice after fueling here, and had to pay for draining/replacing fuel filter. Their fuel fill inlets appear to be underwater whenever we have a heavy rain. 6. Dion’s Mobil – MM 10.5, on right, as you head into Key West This is past the entrance to Bluewater. Diesel. Only diesel close to Bluewater. 7. Key Haven Texaco – This is near MM 5, on right as you head into Key West. This is past the entrance to Bluewater. However, this is a large station, with room for a rig to maneuver, and has fair gasoline and propane prices. No diesel. Propane discount (usually-depends on who is on register) if you say from Clarks at Bluewater Key. Grocery Stops en route – For groceries en route, some choices, in “southward” order: 1. WalMart at the end of the Turnpike is one excellent option. They generally have far better fruit & veggies than we find down here, so stock up for a few days. 2. Farmers’ Market in Florida City – corner Krome & Davis Hwy. Ask locals if not on your map. 3. We suggest you pass by the first Winn Dixie “up the Keys”, at about MM 105 (not easy to get in/out of in RV, especially in winter). 4. Winn Dixie at MM 91.2 has “OK” access for RV–not great. McDonald’s shares parking lot. 5. Another Winn Dixie is on the left, in Marathon, in a strip mall, MM 50.5. This center also has a McDonald’s, a drug store, and a K-Mart. Big parking lot, easy access for RV. 6. For just a few things, Murray’ Market on Summerland, MM 24.5, is on your left, heading south. Family run market with reasonalbe selection – some people say the best steaks in the Lower Keys. Parking usually OK parallel, on southbound side of US 1, simply pulled off on service road. Or, just come back in car after parking at BWK. This is about 15 minutes away from BWK. Restaurants en route – We are not experts on this section, as we usually drive through to BWK. Here are a few good options that usually have RV parking in front or within a block: 1. Lazy Days Oceanfront Bar & Grill– MM 79.9 - Best restaurant we know “up” the Keys. Fabulous view, great fish. Need reservation in season. Parking not easy for a big rig; but worth trying to find parking on opposite side alongside road, or even worth a disconnect/reconnect. 305-664-5256 Request front porch dining area. 2. Gallaghers, MM 57.8 - Great last time we stopped, but over a year since we were there. Parking on side of US1, just pulled off the road. 3. Seven Mile Grill, just before 7-mile bridge at south end of Marathon – Great fish & Key Lime Pie; not great parking. Shares lot with Porky’s rib joint–also good. On your right, heading south, about ½ mile after Fisherman’s Hospital – near MM 48. Probably not an option if you are “long”, in season. Parking may be OK out of season, as there are usually trucks towing boats in the lot. 4. Montego Bay – MM 30.2 on Big Pine. Bad news flash – they just had a fire & closed. 5. Boondock’s – MM 27.5, Ramrod Key. GREAT place! On your right. Big tiki hut. Has parking lot that is a complete “U”, and the street behind leads back out to US 1 when you turn left leaving the park lot – not turning right. Lot can be crowded peak hours (even in summer–lots of locals here), but should have room for rigs to pull through to street behind. Hard to see ahead of time–start watching on your right as you enter Ramrod Key. Slow down when passing Chevron station on your left. Enter the first drive, and pull through to the street behind, turn left, not right, park parallel behind the building. Worth the walk if you have to park down the street. If you miss the first entrance, both drives lead to the street behind. Just be sure you turn LEFT on street behind. It will lead you to another small street; left on small street leads back to US 1. 6. Monte’s – MM 25 – Another bad news flash. This little fish joint closed here & moved to KW; now a fancy restaurant on Roosevelt. 7. Sugarloaf Lodge, MM 17 - Starved? Want to eat just before getting to the park? Local “joint.” Good prime rib, nice fish, nice tiki bar. Almost always room for RV w/tow car to circle through, but might be crowded in high season. On your right when heading south, at the flashing light. 8. Mario’s Pizza, MM15, is the answer if eating just after arrival is the need. Mario’s Pizza is nearby for pizza, salads; offers some good pasta and they will deliver to your space at Bluewater.. Note 7/10/04-changed hands last year; our last pizza was OK, but several guests have reported WONDERFUL food. Phone 305-744-0070. Possible Traffic Jam Warning!!! Coming to BWK on Sat. or Sun., in “high season” (Dec. to April), there is often a traffic tie up on Big Pine for the Flea Market. Worst hours are about 7 a.m to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm. Just relax & crawl--no way around this. Usually about 10 min. of slow traffic. III. YOU FOUND THE PARK – NOW WHAT? Tow Car/Dinghy Disconnect for RV’s: If you are towing a car behind an RV, where you disconnect depends on whether you tow 4 wheels down or use a dolly. 4 wheels down - Please disconnect the tow car before you enter the park. Best to do this by “swinging wide” on your left turn onto Bluewater Dr. Pull over in the wide area near the newspaper racks out front, about one hundred feet before you get to the entry gate, and drop your tow car. Tow dolly, toy trailer, or boat trailer - It is easiest to disconnect this in the park’s storage area, where you will have to store the trailer/dolly. Enter the park gate and stay as far to right side of the park entry road as possible. About 100 feet after the gated entry, make a hard left turn – almost a switchback – onto a pea rock road. Drop the dolly/trailer in the area where you see others. Be sure to put your name and site number on the dolly/trailer. Note: Please let Clarks know in advance if you will need parking for dolly or toy trailer. Note 2: If your rig is over 35 feet and towing a toy box/boat, it will be easier to go all the way to the south end of the park, circle the turning circle near spaces 40 - 42, and approach the turn into the storage area heading northward, for a right turn onto the storage drive. See attached map. Check In: You do not need to check in at the Association office. We rent our lots directly to you. It is good if you wish me to give your name to the Association office in case of emergency, but our privacy policy will not let me give out any private information without your permission. See last line of your bill and provide all the information you wish me to provide to the association office. We recommend that you allow us to furnish your names to the Association office, but it is your choice. Pets: Two household pets per RV are welcome, with the usual rules: dogs must be leashed at all times; clean up properly after your pet; owners must insure that pets don’t bother others, and pet owners assume full responsibility for pets. See more on pets, in book in tiki. If your dog barks and disturbs others, you may be asked to leave. Help us avoid unpleasantness by caring for your pet. Parking on Lots 1 - 4: All are on the right, as you enter. These are set up as “back in” only lots. Parking on Lot 6: On the right, as you enter. This is a “back in” lot, and is somewhat tricky for parking. It is an especially beautiful and private lot, so it is worth the effort if your rig will fit here. Please read this carefully if we have told you will be staying on lot 6 – we don’t want you to get here and find out your rig will not work on this lot. The owners of lot 6 have a lovely tiki hut at the rear (west) end of the lot, near the canal. They also have a second, large tiki hut (about 10 feet by 20 feet) that will be parallel to your RV when you are parked. The new second tiki will provide privacy and will shade the passenger side in much the same way that a very large awning would. You will not be able to extend an awning on the passenger side, but you will not need one. Please see photos on the web. Please note – if you have opposing slides (that is, slides on both driver’s and passenger sides) your rig will probably NOT fit here, so please call us NOW to let us know we have made this mistake. Also, if you have a slideout on the driver’s side and a mid door, your rig will not fit well here. Mid doors will only work here with NO slideouts on lot 6. Parking on Lots 15 & 16: These are the 15th & 16th lots on the right as you enter the park. There is an area in front of these lots where you can line up to pull or back in to the lot. There are full hookups on both sides of lots 15 & 16. “Nose in” parking, lot 16: The hookups for “head in” on 16 (RV coaches and short trailers/5th’s) are on the south side (left side as you face the canal), hidden behind the big red bush (near the mosaic). RV’s usually prefer to pull in forward, with the “nose” facing the canal, hugging the south (left) side of the lot. Shorter trailers and fifth wheels have the option of “head in” parking, as the lot is deep. Some “skew” their rigs with awning near tiki, for privacy. “Back in” parking: Lot 16 hookups for “back in” parking are on the north (US1) side, about half way back. Lot 15 hookups for “back in” parking are amid the palm trees. Lot 15 is very tough to back into if you have a long fifth wheel or long trailer and/or a long wheel base pickup or dually pickup. Talk with Clarks about this. Lot 15 is really better for an Motorhome than for a towed trailer or 5th wheel; please tell us if you are assigned 15 and have a 5th/trailer. Parking on Lot 65: This lot is on your left as you enter, on the bay (waterfront) side. You will pass lots 1 - 15 on your right before you see any lots on your immediate left. You will start your turn into lot 65 just as you pass 15 & 16. Lot 65 is set up as a “pull in “ space for RV’s – your “nose” will face the water. There are also hookups for a fifth wheel to back into 65. This is a fabulous site with great view and wonderful tiki. See photos on web site and call me to discuss if you have questions about site plan. Parking on Lot 75: This is on the bay side. You will pass lots 1 - 15 on your right before you see any lots on your immediate left. You will “swing hard left” (nearly a “U” turn) at the wide space in front of lot 16, heading back toward US1. Lot 75 is set up as a “pull in “ space for RV’s – your “nose” will face the water and as a back in space for fifth wheel/trailer rigs. This is a fabulous site with great view and wonderful tiki. It is often easier to get a long RV into 75 if you go all the way to 80, circle around, and approach with your back end toward US1. See photos on web site and call me to discuss if you have questions about site plan. Fifth wheel should be able to back in with nose of truck facing US 1. Bugs & ants: Yes, this IS Florida and we do have assorted creatures that might “invade” your rig. Some people never have a problem; others find an ant the first day here. We suggest you spray or powder around all points that touch the ground as soon as you set up as preventive medicine. Everyone has his favorite anti-bug idea – I just use Raid. Safety reminder: All outside electrical cords need to be grounded three prong plugs. Tree/plant and tiki hut trimming: If you feel a palm frond or plant must be cut, please ask for help. These may look like they just grow naturally, but they are really quite sensitive, and we handle all trimming. The “fringe” of fronds on the tiki huts is natural and tikis should NEVER be trimmed. Sewer, part I - State law and park rules require that you use a sewer “doughnut” to avoid spillage. Doughnuts are rubber and fit tightly around the hard plastic end piece of your sewer hose. Doughnuts are usually available in the office if you do not have one, but you will probably need one at other FL parks before you get here. Monroe County can inspect, and will fine you if you have no doughnut. Sewer, part II – chemical - Please use only non-formaldehyde RV tank chemical. The Keys has a sensitive eco-system which relies on the “good bacteria” to work in our sewer. Formaldehyde kills good bacteria. Most “blue” chemical has formaldehyde in it; green tank chemical usually does not have formaldehyde. Check labels to be sure. When we changed chemicals, we decided never to “go back.” The thought of breathing formaldehyde unnecessarily seemed pretty icky! Non- formaldehyde chemical is available in the office at Bluewater for purchase. Please try to make the “switch” before coming to BWK, as the formaldehyde must be rinsed several times to remove all traces of it from you tanks. Boats and other trailers: Important - read about boats/trailers in the book in the tiki. Especially read about shallow/deep draft boats and storage in the storage area. Although our canal is deep, water between Bluewater Key and the ocean/back country is very shallow, and lots of people, even locals, end up buying new props when they did not plan to do so. Boat trailers are stored in the storage area. It is currently under consideration that the assn. may begin to charge for use of this lot. Barbecues: Absolutely NO BBQ use under our tiki huts. The huts are made of dried palm fronds and can catch fire VERY easily. Please enjoy your BBQ under your awning or out in the open, at least 6 feet from the tiki hut. Cable TV - Located on the utilities post on each lot. Please bring your own cable connector. Please read/bring the manual for your TV, if you are new to RV use. The TV will have to be “re-set” to recognize the local channels. Most remotes have such a button, but some can be tricky. Phone hookups - Marinco or RJ11 hookup on elec. post. Please bring your own phone and connector for your coach. Marinco adapter available for deposit. Phone lines are for local calls and 800 calls only. Calls are local throughout the Keys. The phone number for calls inbound to you at your lot will be provided to you with your confirmation: ? Lot 1 guest phone is 305-745-____ ? Lot 2 guest phone is 305-745-____ ? Lot 3 guest phone is 305-745-____ ? Lot 4 guest phone is 305-745-____ ? Lot 6 guest phone is 305-745-____ ? Lot 16 guest phone is 305-745-____. ? Lot 65 guest phone is 305-745-____. ? Lot 75 guest phone is 305-745-____ ? The phone is included in your net price, at no additional charge, although other rentals agents for other sites in the park charge $2.00/day for phone Internet Access: There are local dial-up numbers for most national carriers. Please check with your internet provider ahead to find a dial up number in Key West, Saddlebunch, Sugarloaf, Big Pine, Marathon, Key Largo, or Islamorada. Sugarloaf or Big Pine numbers usually get faster connections than Key West or Marathon numbers. Assistance with Hookups - If you are new to RV’ing and/or have a physical limitation that makes it hard for you to set up your RV, please let us know in advance that you may need assistance. Assistance is not normally available in the park, but we will do our best to try to find someone to help you. There is one firm, Spindrift RV, that can possibly help with setup. He charges between $50 and $75 in most cases to completely set up a fifth wheel or coach, but you must book this ahead. General Park Information:. Please feel free to enjoy the park’s facilities: the pool, clubhouse, & laundry near the south end of the park; the 100-foot dock in the common area; the central dog walk; and the boat ramp in the storage area. Unlike “KOA-type” parks you may have stayed in previously, every lot in Bluewater Key is privately owned, “freehold” land. Each owner makes his own improvements, and the only shared facilities are those listed here. All lots are private property. You should use and enjoy the lot and tiki you rent, but PLEASE TREAT THE OTHER LOTS, TIKIS, AND DOCKS AS SOMEONE ELSE’S PRIVATE PROPERTY AND DO NOT ENTER ANOTHER LOT UNLESS INVITED BY OWNER OR GUEST. A FEW MORE THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU COME YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER MAKING RESERVATIONS AHEAD FOR... Rental Cars: If you plan to rent a car while here, it is best to reserve ahead with Enterprise by calling the local office at 305-292-0220. They will pick you up, and they often let you leave the vehicle here when you depart, so you may not have to rush into Key West before you go. Call the local Key West Enterprise, ask for Don or Adam or Donald, and let them know you will be arriving at Bluewater as Rita Clark’s guest on lot ___. They are usually very helpful to my guests. Or, plan to pick up a vehicle in Marathon, at the airport, as you pass through Marathon. The airport was designed to allow bus traffic, so RV’s usually do well here. Budget, Avis, and Enterprise are here. Note: There is an airport surcharge in Marathon, and they usually close between 5 pm or 6 pm. Swim With The Dolphins: Several recent guests have done this, and loved it. Located on Grassy Key, at MM 59. (305) 289-0002 for reservations. http://www.dolphins.org There is another dolphins organization farther up the Keys; I just have no knowledge of it. Flats Fishing: There are numerous flats fishing guides/flats boat charters available in the Keys. Important info about flats fishing: Guides can usually only take 2 guests for a true flats charter. This is a simple weight limit, as the boats must often travel in just a few inches of water. Please let me know as far ahead as possible if you would like flats charters, so I can “hook you up” with my favorite guides. Group Dive/Snorkel Boats: Group boats that take go to Looe Key Reef or to a protected snorkel area + picnic, or to another reef off of Key West. Let us know if you want help with this. Private boat charters: If you prefer to charter privately and direct your own “tour”, we know several good captains who will take you fishing, snorkeling, diving, etc. Offshore Fishing on Group Boats: There are lots of group boats on “Charter Boat Row,” near downtown, that take groups of people out. Again, we also have our favorite Offshore Boats and captains. Try to lets us know ahead if possible on this. I hope I have thought of most things you need to know. Now the “lawyer stuff”: Neither Bluewater Key, the other Bluewater Key owners, nor the Clarks will be responsible for personal injuries or damage, loss, or theft of any personal property or vehicle. Guests must assume financial responsibility for any damage or injury caused by themselves, their children or their pets. See you soon! Call or email if we can help further with your plans, and... Enjoy!
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