joe@cudjoehouse.com
Sightseeing
"OFF THE BEATEN PATH"
Things to explore
Big Pine Key- No Name Pub
Located on No-Name Key. Turn toward
the Gulf at the light in Big Pine Key and take the right hand fork in the road.
Several miles down the road (keep your eyes open) you'll find it on the left.
You will love this out-of-the-way bar/eatery which features pizza and (ONLY OK
food as of this writing) stuff like burgers and brews. Add your dollar bill to
the wall or ceiling.
Key Deer -
Head toward the No Name Pub. If you go too far,
you will run out of road and that is
where you will see the tiny endangered Key Deer (if not before.) Key Deer can
show up when you least expect them... so go slow and don't hit one. (They would
probably put you in jail and throw away the key.) You may also spot a large
iguana if you keep your eyes open. No Name Key has no electricity but
plenty of homes. The county gave them building permits but will not allow the
power company to install electricity.
Best Dive Shop - Underseas Diver -
Ocean side of US1 on Big Pine Key.
Bahia Honda Key- Bahia
Honda State Park....
One of the most beautiful beaches in
the world. They have boat excursions and other interesting amenities. I
believe it costs $6.00 a carload for entry. A great place to take a picnic &
wade down the beach. Snorkel gear works too, as they have showers.
Summerland Key-
Turn south at the light across
from Monte's Fish Market and Restaurant (mile marker 25). This ocean side
residential neighborhood features deep water canals with an airstrip down the
middle. The residents can fly in, put their plane in their garage, walk to the
back yard and get in their boat. This is a great concept! Now, if I could just
win the lottery...
Little Palm Island Resort-
(Mile Marker 32 3/4) Take one of the
Resort's beautiful speed boats form Little Torch Key to the Island (about a 10
min ride). It is pricey: about $40/person for brunch, or $20 for a hamburger,
but there is a lot more to it than that...Fabulous tropical gardens, hammocks,
scenes. Rated the Most Romantic Spot in the US.
Cudjoe Key -
Some
say the name is Bahamian for "Cousin Joe" or maybe someone had a speech
impediment. Then again maybe early settlers came here to cut the Joe-wood
trees. Another theory has a freed slave residing here taking the name Cudjoe
for himself in reference to a Jamaican rebel slave leader. Take a ride down
Blimp Road and check out "Fat Albert," the local's name for the government
blimp. I understand it knows all, because it can see all. (There is also a boat
ramp at the end of Blimp Road.) By boat, from the house you go through Kemp
Channel and right by "Fat Albert," on the way to the back country.
Sugarloaf Key- The Bat Tower -
If you are headed toward Key West,
take a right after you pass Sugarloaf Lodge (Mile Marker 17) and follow the
road past the private airport. You will see the 42' Bat Tower. Land owner and
developer, Richter Clyde Perky built the tower in 1929 to house bats for much
needed mosquito control. A single bat could eat 3000 mosquitoes a day. The
chute down the center of the tower was to catch the bat droppings, considered
the finest and most expensive fertilizer. Perky bought the plans and secret bat
bait for $500. The smell was said to keep bats away and people, too. It seemed
like a good idea at the time. Anyway, there are no bats, and they use airplanes
to kill mosquitoes now. Sky Diving - Yes, Sky Diving and sight
seeing trips are available from the private airport at Sugarloaf Key. What
a view you could have! About $35/each.
Pigeon Key-
Access at the Marathon end of the Seven Mile
Bridge. This small island is now used as a marine research facility. We haven't
been, but understand that someday it will be well worth visiting. Daily tours
are available. Go to: www.pigeonkey.org
A NOT SO LOCAL "OFF THE BEATEN PATH" ATTRACTION -
Fort Jefferson:
Located in the Dry
Tortugas, about 50+ miles from Key West, this is our most off-the-beaten-path
state park. There are several ways to get there, but I would recommend the 5
passenger seaplane out of Key West, favored for views of rays, dolphin, turtles
and wrecks on the trip over. They do day trips and you can explore the fort and
snorkel the crystal clear surrounding waters. There are also 6 passenger boats
that do 3 day fishing and diving trips to the fort. Nights are spent anchored
inside the sheltered waters of the fort. You can keep your catch.
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