Page 233 - Florida and the US Caribbean Isles

LOWER KEYS POINTS OF INTEREST:
BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK Known for beautiful
beaches, magnificent sunsets, and excellent snor-
keling. Rent a kayak or snorkeling gear, visit the
nature center, camp or stay in a cabin, or go fish- THE GREAT WHITE HERON REFUGE Established in
ing for large gamefish beneath the bridge. The
Flagler Bridge off the southern peninsula, with
the train trestle and the automobile span curving
above it, is the original Bahia Honda Bridge, and
is now a national historical site. (305) 872-2353
(305) 872-2353
NATIONAL KEY DEER REFUGE On Big Pine Key
there are about 300 miniature deer, a subspecies
of the Virginia white tail deer on the mainland.
There is a strictly enforced low speed limit here
simply because these deer commonly become
casualties on the highway.
THE BLUE HOLE This artificial lake, created as a
borrow pit, attracts such freshwater species as
alligators, turtles, wading birds, and fish. It is the
largest body of fresh water in the Keys.
1938 next to Big Pine Key, this bird watchers’ par-
adise offers protection to rare and endangered
species, and is home to many migratory birds
nesting here in the winter.
LOOE KEY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY The
area offshore from Big Pine, Ramrod and Sum-
merland Keys is most known as the best diving
area of the Middle Keys. It was named for the
HMS Looe, a British frigate that ran aground in a
1744 hurricane.
THE BAT TOWER Constructed in 1929 by a man
named Perky who wanted to get rid of mosqui-
toes. The tower was to house mosquito-eating
bats, but the imported bats flew away, never to
return. To get there, travel south on US Highway
1, and turn right on Bat Tower Rd just after Mile-
Marker 17. Veer to the right at the fork in the road.
KEY WEST The Uncommon Place! Home to end-
less points of interest, Key West has more than
you can possibly visit in a single day, or even a
week. This is one of America’s most historic cit-
ies, where real estate deeds date back hundreds
of years. You can find Ernest Hemingway’s home,
the John Audubon House and many other his-
toric edifices. One of the most fabulous artifacts
you will ever see outside of King Tut’s tomb itself
is the fabulous and fabled booty of the Atocha,
on display at the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage
Museum. Key West is also home to world class
fishing, plus extraordinary diving. Be sure to visit
Mallory Square, where every evening the Sunset
Celebration is held, with a guarantee of superb,
even if unplanned, entertainment. Refer to the
reverse side of this map for a close-up of Key West
and the favorite things to see and do.