The Florida Keys - Road Trip!

The Florida Keys are a chain of islands that begin at the southernmost tip of Florida, then lazily drift south towards the last key known to some as Key West and to others as "The end of the Earth".

The Florida Keys were first inhabited by Native Americans, but were "discovered" in 1513 by the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon (yes, the Fountain of Youth guy). Ponce de Leon referred to the islands as "Los Martires," or The Martyrs, because of their twisted and tortured shapes.

Today, The Florida Keys are synonomous with the laid-back lifestyle. They are home to many artist colonies which are no doubt inspired by the endless beauty around them. The islands are flanked on one side with the crystal clear aquamarine waters of the the Gulf of Mexico and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean on the other. From start to finish, it is a picturesque journey along the over-seas highway---the route that takes you over bridges and stretches of land so narrow that you are literally driving on just two narrow lanes of traffic cutting through sea water.

Once there, you won't have to look far for things to do in the Florida Keys. There are a variety of activities from snorkeling, swimming, museums, glass-bottom boats, nature trails, beaches, sunsets, and more.

Marathon Key is so named because the workers who constructed the Overseas Railroad were pushed so hard to complete the project that they referred to the project as "The Marathon". The moniker stuck to the body of land which, for the most part, housed the workers during the project. Marathon Key is located about half way or so between the southernmost tip of Florida and Key West, which is probably why it was selected as home base for the railroad project.

The waters surrounding Marathon Key are filled with marine life making the area a major sport-fishing attraction, and, of course, the local restaurants all serve fresh, local catch; some of the better restaurants will even cook your catch for you. Marathon Key is also an extremely popular area for diving and snorkeling. As you can see, the water is absolutely gorgeous and filled with dolphin. There were so many dolphin that I was finally able to capture a shot of them. Have you ever tried to take a picture of dolphin!?

The second picture was taken from an older bridge that parallels the famous 7-mile bridge. The original construction of the bridge was completed in 1912 and was part of the overseas railroad system. It was badly damaged by two major hurricanes and now serves only as a walking path that stretches for miles, ending abruptly in the middle of the inter-coastal waterway. Walking and running the length of this bridge is a popular form of exercise with both the locals and tourists, and the views are fantastic!

Big Pine Key is located approximately three quarters of the way between the beginning and end of the Florida Keys. It is one of the few islands with a year-round supply of freshwater, making it popular with an impressive array of wildlife.

The Blue Hole is an inactive quarry on Big Pine Key that was excavated during the 1930's and 1940's to provide road bed materials. Over time, it filled with salt water from the surrounding sea waters and fresh water from the rains. Because the salt water (being heavier) stays at the bottom of the quarry, and the lighter freshwater floats on the top, it has developed into a natural habitat for all manner of wildlife including alligators, turtles, fish, birds and more.

I set the picture of the alligator up so you can increase its size by clicking on it. It's easier to appreciate how magnificent he is if you view an enlarged picture.

Big Pine Key is also home to most of the region's Key Deer population. As you can see from the picture, they have absolutely no fear of humans; something that has helped to place them in the endangered status. This buck (male deer) approached me and waited to have his picture taken without even the slightest bit of hesitation. The Key Deer are much smaller than other type of deer; a fully grown buck weighs no more than 75 pounds.

A keys vacation would not be complete without a trip to Key West.

Key West is, of course, known for its famous sunsets and party atmosphere, and I do have to admit, they do both with great flair.

It is also a place that is rich in history, as it was once a center for ship wreck excavations. Exhibits from such ships as the Spanish galleon, the Atocha, can fill the day with interest, and the mind with intrigue for decades.

Because of all of this and the signature regional lifestyle, Key West has also long been a favorite haunt for many of the famous, including presidents and artists of all types from print to the silver screen.

During this trip to Key West, I decided to look for something a little less traditional, and I found it at the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. The gardens are located on a little body of land that actually just precedes the larger land mass which is home to the main activities of the island.

The Key West Botanical Gardens are a permanent wildlife sanctuary, botanical garden, and arboretum that sits on approximately 7.5 acres. My visit to these gardens was a peaceful and interesting way to spend an hour or so.

The tour loop consists of several different areas including a butterfly habitat, an area for plants that are native to the region like the spectacular Swamp-Bay tree. There is a palm garden tour, a tropical hardwood hammock (the typical woodland habitat found throughout the Florida Keys,) and The Desbian Pond which is a rain-fed pond that doesn't exchange water with the underlying saltwater aquifer. There is also a great display of rickety looking vessels used by Cuban nationals as transportation to the United States.

If you are a gardening enthusiast or a photography buff, you will find plenty to interest you in these gardens. There were birds, butterflies, sculptures, fantastic trees and plants, boats, and more!