Beddgelert: A place of legend… in the heart of Snowdonia.

Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches

2 Hotels in Cudjoe Key Florida – Great Rates, No Booking Fees

Back to Key West—or rather we had a week in Key West and then our friends—a couple—went home and we went up to the Marathon area an met another friend and stayed another week in a house we rented on a canal—the first week was spent during Fantasy Fest—so we went from wild and crazy to laid back and take it easy away from Key Weird—which is what a lot of other Keys occupants actually call it (Key West that is).

and if you check the second picture you can see the house, the rental and other fees—what is included and that it was on Cudjoe Key.

“The most famous person ever to live on Cudjoe Key was a trail-blazing woman from Chicago named Lily Lawrence Bow. She came to Cudjoe Key with her husband and their two sons in 1904. But Mr Bow didn’t enjoy the tropical wilderness of the Florida Keys, and soon he returned to the north, leaving his family alone and without means. The Bows, the only white people on Cudjoe Key, grew vegetables and raised chickens, the boys fished. Eventually Ms. Bow, who’d gone to college, became the only school teacher for miles, and Keys, around. Her students’ parents paid fr her services with food so the Bows were able to stay on Cudjoe Key for two years. Finally they moved to Homestead, Florida another tough and rugged wilderness. With a homestead grant, Lily Bow built a log cabin and planted a citrus grove there. She became active in civic affairs and helped found the area’s women’s club. Homestead ‘s public library is called the “Lily Lawrence Bow Library:: in her memory.”

June Keith’s

Key West and the Florida Keys

Cudjoe Key, Florida

DEAD GIRL RUNNING

Walking Tours – Florida Keys History Discovery Center

We spent some time at Bahi Honda Park-–with its great beaches and the remains of the old bridge standing high above the sea—part of the over Sea Rail Road built by Flagler and then used by Florida for a car bridge—it became out dated with more modern vehicles so that a new one was built and this along with the others in this area remains but has been made impassable and you can actually walk out on it a short way now for a grand view of the water below—It was one of my favorite places to hang out when we spent time up in this part of the island chain.

The Bridge in the top page is the 7 mile Bridge—bringing you from the the middle to the lower Keys and the longest bridge on the whole trek.

“As you look across to the southern peninsula of Bahia Honda Key, you will see a nmagnificent section of the old Flagler Bridge with the railroad trestle on one level and the automobile highway arching above it, a masterpiece of engineering for the day.”

Hidden Florida: The Adventure’s Guide

Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation – Visit Florida

LONDON’S LOST MUSIC VENUES

Movies Filmed in the Florida Keys – 2000 to 2017

As you can see in these pictures the area around Bahi Honda is beautiful with large stretches of ocean view on this side of the park—the Gulf Side—the beach here is fantastic —the nicest in the Keys

One more note of interest, Robert Redford filmed his movie, “Up Close and Personal” here for a scene with him and Michelle Pieffer. There use to be a huge tree there with the root system pointing out to see–it was one of our favorite places and we loved that it was in the movie.

“The beautiful Bahia Honda Park has three excellent camping areas containing eighty campsites for tents and RV’s, Waterfront camping is available on the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and on the Bahia Honda Channel. The park is excellent for exploring–the beach on the Atlantic side of the island is often called the best in the Keys, in Florida and one of the best in the world.”

June Keith’s

Key West & The Florida Keys

Florida Travel: The Beauty of Bahia Honda State Park

Which Stephen King Character Would You Be Based on Your Zodiac Sign?

12 Things to do at Bahia Honda State Park – Family Fun Joy

and a picnic to round out our day….if you haven’t been here (Bahia Honda) I suggest you stop on by and enjoy it….We did

Oh the picture at the bottom is something I added to the photo display back in the 90’s probably—when we took this trip—-it’s not from the keys but it just added to the ambiance at the time—Sorry

A Freaky Nature Treat

Bahia Honda MM 36

“During the full moon in late May or early June, tiny palolo worms hatch from the sponges and rocks in the channel under the Bahia Honda Bridge. Tarpon go into feeding frenzy, bobbling up the poor little worms. From the bridge you see huge schools of silvery tarpon clouing the surface of the water. Call Bahia Honda and ask a park ranger just how the scene is progressing next time you’re in the Lower Keys at the end of May.

June Keith’s

Key West & Florida Keys

Campground Details – Bahia Honda State Park, FL – Florida …

The monstrous Minotaur riveted ancient Greece and Rome

Cudjoe key florida – Cudjoe key florida

Then it was back home to Cudjoe for a quiet evening. drinking a few by the canal side—watching old movies or whatever on the TV—Hoping they’d show Key Largo (which except for a few odd off scenes were all filmed in Hollywood and no of the major stars probably had any idea where Largo was nor cared—but its always fun to dream and pretend even when you’re not a kid any more.

And the Keys are a great place to dream of being a boat captain or the Old Man of the Sea—-or a survivor on a dessert island—-you could (but I promise to stop) go on forever for some how this land of sea and island that has a precarious connection to the tip of Florida is a place where you learn to relax and dream of many things including what you might have been.

“And in the Keys, Bow Channel that runs between Upper Sugarloaf and Cudjoe Key, is named after Lily Bow, and today, just like back in 1904, it still takes an enormous amount of courage to survive near the swift waters of Bow Channel.

June Keith’s

Key West & The Florida Keys

Boating, Fishing, and Travel Information for Sugarloaf Key, Bow Channel, FL

25 Most Beautiful Medieval Towns of Europe

Is it just my imagination or is it easier to relax along the water—to stretch out in a hammock and pretend you don’t have to go back to the hustle and bustle of one’s job and a town that knows business and traffic better than relaxing and enjoyment. Easier to melt into the Island way of life while sheltered with palm trees and friends and lovers—-I really doubt I’m wrong about this…..

In the north we rarely thought about, let alone noticed the sunset—here we planned our end of day around it—sank into the sun’s beautiful surrounding colors like the sun sank into the keys and felt more whole and at peace than we had been in so long.

“As Route 1 meanders out to sea, it passes through populated areas that could be anyhere in the contry, with chain motels, restaurants, little shopping centrs and ever increasing development. But that’s where the similarity ends. for this is a water-borne highway heading into magnificent sunsets, bordered by the sea or mangroves or marinas and even bits of surviving jungle -like hammocks. Alongside it runs the vital viaducts, a hug pipe carrying water from the mainland to sustain the residents and visitors to these dependent islands that though surrounded by sea, offer nothing but rainwater for drinking.”

Hidden Florida: The Adventurer’s Guide

Executive Editor: Ray Riegert

US Route 1 Road Trip, Part 13: The Florida Keys – Miami to Key West

Tamarind-Mezcal Sour

Big Pine Key

I may have forgotten to mention it but Bahi Hondi is on Big Pine Key which is north of Cudjoe where we were staying—and Cudjoe is 31 miles by car—there’s only one road or 28 by boat—to the main town in the area Marathon is north (but mostly) west of Cudjoe…..Marathon is said to have gotten its name from the rail road men who spent a lot of time in this area building that big Seven Mile Bridge.

And this area is one I’ve stayed at before—Marathon actually has areas in the middle of town where you hardly see or at least barely notice the water lapping at both sides. It’s to my way of thinking the least touristy and more a settlement of the citizens of the Keys though they do not discourage we wanderers from visiting and enjoying their town. Marathon has a sheriff’s office, a visitor’s center, a library and even an air port.and don’t forget the Museums and last but not least a turtle hospital.

“The next good-size center of population is the town of Marathon on Vaca Key. The whole area is a popular winter resort and choice fishing spot.”

Hidden Florida: The Adventurer’s Guide

Executive Editor: Ray Riegert