The Jeep Wrangler Was Built for the Florida Keys
The uninhabited and unforgiving desert that covers the western United States is unequivocally considered to be “Jeep country.” From Moab to the Rubicon, there are no shortage of areas to really enjoy your four-wheeled slab of America. But I found myself another area of our great U.S. that is particularly well-suited to the talents of the Jeep Wrangler, and in my humble opinion it’s even more Jeep exclusive than the craggy terrain and water crossings out west: the Florida Keys.
Put down that damn pitchfork and give me a minute to explain. Let’s start with what makes the Wrangler unique. Firstly, it has nearly unsurpassed off-road ability straight from the factory, and things only get better when you tap into the aftermarket. It is also the only road legal vehicle that is actively built and designed in such a way that you can tear it apart like a kid destroying a LEGO fortress. The top, doors, and even the windshield can all be folded or removed in some fashion to create a rolling expression of absurdity, that I can’t believe is legal to drive through a parking lot, let alone on the highway. The Wrangler is also built to take a beating, get dirty, roll over, drag a trailer, and then spend the afternoon under a rain shower to clean itself off. It’s those last two things that make the Wrangler perfect for duty in the Florida Keys.
Let’s start with that LEGO-esque destruction process. If you really want to enjoy the island lifestyle, there is no way better than an open vehicle. The Keys are part of America in name in only. In practice the area is much more in line with the lifestyle and feel of the Bahamas. With very little metal or glass getting in between you and the vast expanse of sights, sounds, and smells that make up this unique slice of paradise, the experience is only enhanced. The soft smell of cooking Cuban bread wafts by as you cruise past a crowing rooster on your way to the beach to watch the sun rise and rest off the oncoming hangover.
And then there is that ruggedness factor. When you have a machine this durable, you don’t actually need to worry about ever putting the doors or roof back on. For the most part there is very little heavy rain in the Keys, and even if you do get caught in a squall, it’s not like your Wrangler will be harmed by a bit of sky-water. Just park it in the sun later and let that giant fireball in the sky dry things out for you. The most you might really need is a bikini top, just to keep yourself from turning into leather on longer drives.
During my week in the Florida Keys, I filled the Jeep with dive gear, fresh lobster, multiple friends, and drove more than 700 miles. I loved it. Every. Damned. Second.
When it comes to tackling off-road trails, the Jeep is king, but you will see any manner of other trucks and SUVs lining up behind you to conquer the same line. But when you’re sitting at the Southernmost Point, show me anything else that is as perfectly suited to the occasion as a well-used Wrangler with sun-faded seats and door mounts that have been empty for years.
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