Information about 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.
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The iconic boat from the Humphrey Bogart movie of the same name, African Queen, has called the docks at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo home since 1983. The boat is actually registered as a national historic site. Recently, she has undergone major restorations to make her seaworthy again. And earlier this month, Humphrey Bogart’s son Stephen was in Key Largo for the African Queen’s relaunch party. Starting later on this month, there are plans to offer a two-hour canal cruise aboard the vessel as well as small private dinner cruises.
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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.”
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The Dry Tortugas are a cluster of seven islands located about 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The seven islands that make up the Dry…
There is no doubt that Key West is a great place to visit. But with each passing year the island becomes a bit more commercial. It has to when it is a major Florida tourist destination. Key West has to be able to compete with Orlando, Miami, and other areas that draw lots of tourists with modern amenities and many activities. We have to change with the times. Otherwise, the island would fall into the tourist doldrums and end up a dead zone like Silver Springs, once a tourist mecca, has become. But that does not mean that with a very short cab ride or drive away you that you cannot still get that old Key West feel. Just cross Cow Key Channel Bridge onto Stock Island and you will find a taste of the way Key West once was.
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Case in point, I had to fly up to NJ last week as I had a sudden and unexpected death in the family. While I really did not have the time to drive all the way to NJ and back to get to the funeral on time and back in time for work on Monday, I may have been better off driving to Miami and flying out of there. Here is why…
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Earnest Hemmingway Key West
Ernest Hemingway Key West Today there are about 25,000 people living in Key West. That is a lot of residents for such a tiny island, but Key West has so…
Many movies and television shows have filmed in key West throughout the years.
Key West has some beautiful scenery as well as some outrageous places. We have history with old Conch houses, museums, Civil War forts, and a Navy Base. We also have…
Valentine’s Day is already just around the corner. Yes, you can do the norm if you are staying here during this holiday and send flowers and candy to your sweetheart, as the island has no shortage of wonderful florists. Or you can do something a little different with some Key West island flair!
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Driving to Key West? Many people do not realize that the Florida Keys are a chain of islands connected by a series of bridges, and Key West is the very last island in the chain. Driving time from Miami to Key West takes approximately 3 hours, although due to traffic it may take longer. But the vistas are breathtaking, making the drive well worth it at least once in a lifetime.
Below is a charter showing milage from different major FLorida cities to help you plan your drive. (more…)
There are really lots of events happening to celebrate the New Year’s arrival. Here are a listing of events and special menus for the holiday for you to peruse and help make your holiday plans!
Events
Sloppy Joe’s
Watch the crowd gather to ring in 2012 with our 19th Annual Dropping of the Conch Shell live from the roof of Sloppy Joe’s Bar at the corner of Greene and Duval in Key West. Sloppy Joe’s will lower the Queen Conch Shell at the stroke of midnight to ring in 2012. The Hyjinx Band will take the stage at 10:00pm to ring in the New Year! For those in the bar at midnight the dropping of the Conch Shell can be viewed on closed circuit TV in the main bar or Joe’s Tap Room.Sorry no reservations. Door charge.
There are a few things happening on our island this week and next. Some are holiday related and others are not. But they are all interesting! Definitely something for everyone happening this time of year!
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