Tag: #duvalstreet #floridakeys #keywest #keywestflorida

Welcome to the Coco Plum Recreational & Bicycle Trail. Even though it’s called a Bicycle Trail, by car it will only take you about 10 minutes total to admire it all. This is a two-mile trek well worth taking on a bike or in a car I promise you! You’ll find two things in particular on this two-mile adventure. First is what I like to call ‘Turtle Beach’ which is a city park that during certain times a year turtles come up on shore in mass quantities. Second is just a tad further down at the roads-end where you’ll see one of the most beautiful oceanfront park bench...

Since everyone knows what a lighthouse is, we’ll focus on a cistern. So what’s a cistern? A cistern is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns can be above or below ground and were commonly used in Key West to capture and store rain water. Early on this water was used for many purposes including drinking, cooking, irrigation and washing. You have to remember that an unending flow of fresh water was not available to Key West until 1912. This particular unique looking brick and cement cistern held approximately 6,000 gallons of rain water...

Got Fangs? As taken from the TV commercial years ago Got Milk? This is one vacation oddity that you don’t want to need! Miami-Dade County emcompasses the top of the Keys all the way to Mile Marker 112.8 where it then becomes Monroe County. The ONLY good thing about this is that you now know that there is such a thing as a Venom Response Unit! If you’re a tad bit lost, (which I hope you’re not) we’re talking about the many types of snakes found in the Florida Keys. You can find the Miami-Dade Venom Response Unit vehicle by simply being on the lookout! P.S. – If...

You’ve heard of swimming with dolphins for $75, here you can swim with a mermaid… FREE! At this beach you’re not alone even if you’re the first one in the water. Sitting upon a rock only 15′ from shore is a cement casting of a mythical mermaid awaiting your entry into her domain. While in the water you can snuggle with the Daryl Hannah look-a-like from the movie ‘Splash’ for that souvenir photo. I’ve reported on her twin sister Mermaid Of The Sea in a prior blog before ever finding this beach shore beauty. You can find this second half...

Sticking out like a sore thumb among other street names is what appears at first glance to be nothing more than an American Indian reference.     You would be so wrong! Being an incredible WWII and history buff I seized the opportunity to pass along a little bit of our nations great fighting past during trying times. The name ‘Flying Cloud’ is indeed American Indian related in this instance correlated with a Navy vessel of great stature. With the outbreak of WWII, the U.S. Navy after the attack of Pearl Harbor was in dire need for ships of all sizes acquired...

All I can say is WOW! This is one AWESOME VIEW! Some things speak for themselves… simply put, this is the BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE! With that said, I give you my shortest blog to date. This oceanside park bench can be found on the southeastern end of the island across from the East Martello Tower Museum. Shoestring Weekend

When you think of our nations alternative energy initiative you don’t think of Key West. So where do you think you’d find the Alternative Energy Center in the Florida Keys? Well, you darn sure would never think of a High School in Key West! In this case that’s exactly where you’d find it! From Biodiesel to wind turbines this schools does it all. Painted on the outside of the schools Alternative Energy Center are a number of different depictions including several nationally recognized awards listed upon its walls. What’s your local high school doing about alternative...

It’s feels GREAT to blog every once in a while about something totally dedicated to enriching the lives of our children. As a father of four (3 boys with families of their own and a 18-year-old daughter), I’ve spent countless pleasurable hours at parks smiling and laughing watching them swing and slide over all the years as they’ve each grown up. Here’s one of those places that kids dream of! You name it and it has it, everything from standard swings & marry-go-rounds to suspended bridges, a Thomas The Train look-alike to a full size shark in its sand box...