Shrimp Salad from Salute!
Key West and the Florida Keys: A Culinary History
I love food. I enjoy both cooking and eating out. The highlight of my day is typically what I will be consuming. I normally eat very healthy meals that are still…
Conch Republic
You may have heard Key West referred to as the Conch Republic. That is because in 1982, Key West seceded from the United States. What prompted this move was a…
Big Pine Key Blue Hole: National Key Deer Refuge
When I first moved down to the Florida Keys almost 20 years ago I lived on Big Pine Key. It is located about thirty miles north of Key West and…
One of the many marathon events held in Key West each year. Here, runners are making their way up and down South Roosevelt Blvd put on by Key West High School.
Key West Triathlons, Marathons, and More Athletic Events
Key West may be known for its tropical climate and its party atmosphere, but it also has so much more going for it. While one can imagine that some of…
Annette’s Lobster & Steak House | Review
Last night we met some friends in Marathon for dinner. Annette's has always been a favorite so we headed there for dinner and drinks. Annette's has been around for years…
Key West Tarpon Fishing
Many people come down to Key West specifically to fish for tarpon, also known as the silver king due to their color, size, and magnificent aerobatics as they jump and…
The Florida Keys Blimp Fat Albert Deflated?
Ever since the first time I came to the Florida Keys, I can remember seeing Fat Albert flying high in the sky. The blimp has been based out of the…
Florida Keys 2012 Lobster Mini Season opens Tomorrow
Lobster mini season which falls on July 25th and 26th this year, is always the last Wednesday and Thursday in July, and it usually brings around 25,000 visitors to the Florida Keys. During…
Florida Keys: Pigeon Key
It seems like everywhere today developers come in and build big complexes of condos, hotels, or strip malls. Sometimes it betters the landscape when taking the place of old, dilapidated structures. But all too often they end up taking out forests or other pieces of history, and it is really sad for us and for future generations when that happens. Especially so in the Florida Keys where there is so little land to take over. The fate of Pigeon Key just of of Marathon could have gone as so, but instead the Pigeon Key Foundation was started to protect the island from development and maintain it as a historical landmark.
State Parks of Key West and the Florida Keys
Florida State Parks are a wonderful way to see the real Florida, and not the touristy theme parks and other attractions. Florida has some amazing wildlife and a rich history. The state has around 160 state run parks, and 10 of these are in the Florida Keys. As one can imagine, most of the State parks in the Keys have some sort of water actives to partake in such as kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. But we also have historical monuments, biking in and hiking trails, picnicking areas, and many opportunities for wildlife viewing too.
- Bahia Honda State Park – 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
This park is known for its beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and gorgeous sunsets. But these are just a fraction of the activities available for visitors to this park. Other activities include: bicycling, birding, boating, camping, kayaking, fishing, hiking, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Anglers can fish from shore or bring a boat and launch it from the boat ramp. Snorkeling gear and kayaks can be rented on site. The visitors center is filled with interesting information as well as trinkets to bring home. And the concession stand serves some good grub too should you have forgotten your picnic basket. Full facility campsites and cabins are also available for rent. Admission charges vary. The Park is open 365 days a year from 8:00 am to sundown. - Curry Hammock State Park – 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
This park is made up of a group of islands with public access to swimming, a playground, showers, grills, and a picnic area. This park is also home to one of the largest populations of thatched palm trees in the USA. Activities at Curry Hammock include a sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing, and playing in the sand, bicycling, camping, kayaking, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Admission charges vary. The Park is open 365 days a year from 8:00 am to sundown.
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It is Turtle Nesting Season in the Florida Keys and Key West
April 15th marks the start of turtle nesting season here in the Florida Keys, and it runs all the way through October 31st.While these little hatchlings are quite cute and an amazing sight to see, they are quite delicate and do not have a huge survival rate. There are already so many natural obstacles that they have to contend with such as predators or becoming tangled up in seaweed. So the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation is asking for our help to eliminate some of the man made threats that we have created for these little guys.
Key West and Florida Keys Saddened by Jose Wejebe Death
It was a sad day for the Florida Keys and Key West fishing community yesterday. News spread quickly that local TV celebrity and host of the Spanish Fly died in a plane crash. Shocked friends and fans texted each other and posted RIP on Jose’s Facebook page yesterday.
The Cuban born Jose was a natural at fishing, building his career and his reputation first as a guide and later as a TV personality; but his new love in recent years was flying. He was alone on his single engine plane when it crashed in Everglades City just after take off around 4:30 pm yesterday.
“Nobody has done more for fishing in the Keys than Jose,” said Dream Catcher Charters owner Capt Steven Lamp, “you will be missed.”