Back in the early 20th century a multi-millionaire name Flagler decided to build a railroad from the Florida mainland to Key West. The only real problem was much of the way was over water. He did not let this stop him so he built bridges between the keys – small islands – and one of them was 7 miles long. After a hurricane destroyed much of the line, he sold the right of way to the state who turned the railroad line into a highway. Over the years the old bridges deteriorated and so the 7 mile bridge was replaced with a new one and the old one was broken up in places to keep people from using it.

There is one section that runs from Marathon Key to Pigeon Key which is just a little over 2 miles long and I have wanted to walk it. The last time we were here I started out with a group of senior couples and when we got about 1 1/4 miles along the last group dropped out. I looked longingly at the very visible Pigeon Key and decided that it was not fair for me to hold up the whole group by going on and after taking a picture turned around and went back.

This trip I got up very early and before the sun rose, I started walking and got to pigeon key while it was still dark. So since I wanted to take pictures of the trip and the sunrise, I sat down against the barrier and waited. When the sun finally came up I took my pictures and walked back. It was nice to accomplish what I sat out to do and now can say I walked the old 7 mile bridge.