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Big Pine, Pine Trees, Mangroves, Solitude, and Key Deer
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One of my Favorites, Big Pine Key Florida! I’ll talk about my impressions of Big Pine Fishing Lodge on another page. I want to stick to Big Pine key Florida and vicinity for right now.
Once you get past the 7 mile bridge things slow down. It’s hard to imagine. Crossing over on the Card Sound Bridge, or even going the way of most down US 1, crossing over into Key Largo would satisfy many to get away from it all. All the parks of Key Largo Florida, the numerous opportunities of Islamorada, and the “heart” of Marathon Florida, there is another “step” you make. I’ve talked about Bahia Honda and its’ unique eco system, Sandspur, one of the best Florida beaches, and kayaking opportunities already. You now pass into the rugged pine forest of Big Pine Key Florida. Big Pine Key Florida, almost immediately, changes your view of the Keys again. A feeling of fewer. Fewer people, fewer shops, fewer buildings. Although Big Pine Key Florida is somewhat of a center of shopping for the lower keys, there is much less development here. Big Pine services much of the keys to the west, Summerland, Big and Little Torch, Cudjoe, Sugarloaf, Saddlebunch, and Big Coppitt Keys. Please check out the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce for great daily information. I’m going to reflect on all those keys you see off shore, later in these impressions.
Big Pine Key Florida, unto itself, has a significant claim to be an oasis from the frantic pace of mainland, let alone the upper keys and Key West. Big Pine Key Florida, 2nd in size only to Key Largo, is over 7 miles long and made up of craggy pine shoreline, mangroves, interior woodland, and just about every other type of shore line you’d find in the Keys. This area is one of the Keys least inhabited. If you have had enough of the world around you, this is your place. Mangrove wetlands and water views stretching out to Keys destinations barely seen on the horizon. This makes your mind float and conjure up a sense of serenity. Big Pine Key Florida will get you away from it all.
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There are over 30 islands which comprise this Big Pine Key Florida and vicinity west. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, and kayaking abound, seemingly always at your doorstep. Untamed land and waters await your discovery. I haven’t even talked about the Key Deer yet. I took my two boys over to Big Pine Key Florida one day. We left from Key West where we were doing some fishing and had a leisurely drive. A turn at Key Deer Blvd GS will take you on an excursion of wooded foliage for approximately 5 miles. A turn on just about any street will put you in to a rather sheltered community of homes generally a good distance apart, for the Keys anyway. Located back within wooded areas, they are built up on concrete perches. At any time you will see the demure, small Key Deer. We got out of the car to take pictures. They actually will walk towards you to about 50 feet or so, then wander off into the woods.
A couple of notable places around here are the Blue Hole and Watson’s Hammock. The Blue Hole, located towards the NW intersection of Big Pine St. and Key Deer Blvd, was known to have an 11 foot alligator prowling around at one time. It since was removed and put in a new home up in the everglades. There are still, allegedly, some smaller ones roaming around there but, I havn’t seen them, nor there “markings”. This area use to be a quarry for the Overseas Railroad and Highway. You may also, possibly, see the soft shelled turtles which hang out here.
Another local spot, in Big Pine Key Florida, just a little further up Key Deer Blvd is Watson’s Hammock. There is a wonderful trail, just under a mile long, that will take you through mangroves, pines, and wetlands. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this, either just for fun or to break up a drive in either direction up or down the keys.
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Coming back down Key Deer Blvd, turn left towards No Name Key. After two 90 degree turns in the road, you come upon the Old Wooden Bridge and Marina. Continue over the bridge approximately 1 mile and on the left is the No Name Pub on No Name Key. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, a non descript building appears. Now if you continued down the road you’d find a vibrant small residential community. Back to the Pub, it has a good fare of seafood, pizzas, and burgers. The fun part of this place is that almost EVERY square inch of the walls are covered with dollar bills. Take a dollar bill out, sign/print your name on it with magic marker(get one from hostess), put date you were there on it then go look for a spot to staple it up on something. Try to find it on your next trip there. I’ve found some of our previous ones that are partially covered.
Now, the biggest reason I like Big Pine Key Florida is kayaking. Leaving from the Old Wooden Bridge and Marina is my favorite. A few years ago I took my two boys out. Each learned the delicate balance of standing up in the kayak like they’ve been doing it for years. This gives you a better vision angle into the water to see all the marine life. There are toooo many destinations to mention here.. Heading out GS along Boggie Channel, you are heading into the heart of the Great White Herron National Wildlife Refuge.
If you look out to the horizon, just out of view are the Content and Water Keys, approximately seven miles. On your way out there you can explore Porpoise, Mayo, Annette, Cutoe, and Howe Keys to mention a few. You will see grassy shore lines areas sheltering shrimp, many varieties of fish, and sharks. Other shoreline areas are silty and support starfish, sponges, and corals. There is a great area up at the north end of Big Pine Key Florida, not accessible by car, that is great for observing sharks, Rays, and again all sorts of fish. We’ve also, on occasion, seen a turtle or two.
By far, Big Pine Key Florida is my favorite paddling area. Mostly motor boat free, hundreds of exploration opportunities, not many people(if any) out on the water, results in many exciting observations of nature at its’ best. There are not any camping places, that I know of, but each of the day trips you make are worth their weight in gold.
Big Pine Key Florida is “top shelf” on my list.
Thank you for "crawling" the Keys with me. I'd love to hear from you! gonenative@floridakeysimpressions.com
Hope to see you there, on Big Pine Key Florida, SOON! 
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gonenative Island Wear
       
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