Key West’s Autograph Tree… TRUE!

A tree collecting autographs, how cool is that! Its scientific name is ‘Clusia Rosea’… hmmm, to us laymen-type it’s simply known as an Autograph Tree native to the Bahamas and West Indies.

I was floored having never heard of such a tree and was amazed and fascinated at its properties to keep these autographs without killing the tree. It’s very neat to see and participate in etching your name into a vacant leaf… if you can find one! The four of us on the visit carved our names into it making great photos and memories.

You too can find and sign this Autograph Tree located on the grounds of the West Martello Tower at Higgs Beach on the southeastern portion of the island. Enjoy and have fun, it’s a hoot to see and do!

Gazebo By The Sea

Location, Location, Location!!! That phrase has been linked to real estate and yet applies fully to this Civil War Fort’s gazebo. True, this old fort has a gazebo overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and oh what a view it is!

Guys, this is that perfect place for a romantic picnic to tell her that “She’s even more beautiful than the view!” This would be an ideal place locally for those wanting to tie the knot here in the Keys while visiting on their next vacation or holiday.

You too can find this AWESOME gazebo by the sea on the grounds of the West Martello Tower Civil War Fort at Higgs Beach on the southeastern portion of the island. It’s so worth the FREE admission to picnic or just to spend 30-minutes of your next trip to Key West… believe me, you’ll thank me!

Hand-Carved Wooden Wonder Fish

Where can you find what very well maybe the largest hand-carved wooden sailfish in the entire Florida Keys? I’m glad you asked! Oh yeah, whether it’s the largest or not doesn’t really matter, it’s an exquisite example of masterpiece artwork!

This sailfish is right at home being among it’s own kind (live and otherwise) surround by those who live to someday hook a real-life beauty of their own. If your getting my drift then you might actually drift away offshore in the pleasure craft of your choosing and toss out a line while crossing your fingers.

Enough riddles, you can find this mammoth master-crafted finned phenomenon inside the World Wide Sportsman store at Mile Marker 81.4 bayside in the upstairs portion above it’s equally unique elevator. Enjoy! This is yet another FREE experience in our beautiful ever changing Florida Keys!

West Martello Tower’s Freedom Bell

This is called the ‘Freedom Bell’… OK, the blue thing hanging behind Crystal and her friend is called the ‘Freedom Bell’. 🙂 Let me tell you, when you ring this bell it’s absolutely deafening loud! Free advice: If you wear hearing aids, you may want to turn them ALL THE WAY DOWN when ringing! 🙂

There’s at least two ‘Freedom Bells’ in the Florida Keys, this ones in Key West. I’ve reported on the other one located about 80 miles further up. They’re made out an empty scuba diving air tank with the bottom cut off and chord hanging down through the center with a heavy weight providing the deafening ring when struck against the inner portion of the tank.

You can find the Key’s second ‘Freedom Bell’ at the West Martello Tower Civil War Fort on Higgs Beach. Oh yeah, did I forget to tell you that it’s FREE to get in this beautiful scenic historical Civil War Fort… 100% TRUE!

Is This The Beatles Famous Yellow Submarine?

I’m not quite sure what it is… but I am sure that it’s not the famous Beatles Yellow Submarine featured in their 1968 Hollywood movie that was followed up by their 1969 #1 hit song of the same name.

This submarine / raft / observatory seaworthy combo vehicle is a one-of-a-kind to my eyes having never seen such an animal in my life. Pulling into a McDonald’s parking lot on our way back from Key West was this ocean oddity parked in the next row which I of course took photos of for your consumption.

So where in the Florida Keys can you find this? Hmm, the answer is anywhere, so always be looking! We saw it and so can you!

Tallest Man In Key West… He Stands 8’11.1″ Tall

Welcome to the TALLEST man in Key West, I take that back… Welcome to the TALLEST man in the recorded HISTORY OF THE WORLD!

Robert Wadlow (Feb. 22, 1918 – July 15, 1940) was the tallest person in history for whom there’s irrefutable evidence. Wadlow is sometimes known as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois being from Alton, Illinois. (Photo below)

Wadlow reached 8 ft 11.1 in height and weighed 439 lbs at his death at age 22. His great size and his continued growth in adulthood was due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death.

On July 4, 1940, during an appearance at the Manistee National Forest Festival, a faulty brace irritated his ankle, causing a blister and subsequent infection. Doctors treated him with a blood transfusion and emergency surgery, but his condition worsened, and on July 15, 1940, he died in his sleep at age 22.

More than 30,000 people attended Wadlow’s funeral on July 19. He was buried in a 10-foot-long, half-ton coffin that required twelve pallbearers to carry and was interred in a vault of solid concrete. Wadlow’s family was concerned for the sanctity of his body and wanted to ensure it would not be disturbed or stolen.

You can find a life-like statue of this gentle giant at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! in Key West located at 108 Duval Street.

Key’s Most Elaborate Elevator

This has to be the Key’s Most Elaborate Elevator! (or Lift if you’re from across the pond) 🙂 From the artwork on the glass to the picturesque frame surrounding it, this elevator screams out ‘WOW!’ Look at the smiles on the three faces inside the elevator, it has to be the most elaborate one they’ve ever seen too! Or are they just happy getting their pictures taken! 🙂

You can find the ‘Key’s Most Elaborate Elevator’ inside the World Wide Sportsman store at Mile Marker 81.4 on Highway US-1 bayside.

K-Mart’s Oceanic Mural

Wow, how beautiful is this! Probably the WIDEST oceanic mural in the Florida Keys! I’d venture to say that it’s one of the most ornately painted K-Mart stores in the entire country! Believe it or not, it’s in our own backyard at Mile Marker 50.1 oceanside on US-1.

YOU CAN’T MISS this oceanic wonder on the left hand side of the road as you drive thru the beautiful city of Marathon heading south. Stop and enjoy this painted splendor, it’s a good stopping point almost half way down the Keys for a photo and stretching your legs. This is well worth 5-minutes of your time and of course it’s FREE!

8 Second Ride

This headboard was found in a local bar on Duval Street in Key West. The blog’s title 8 Second Ride was a former hit for Country singer Jake Owen and has absolutely nothing to do with this blog! 🙂 Although I do like the song especially when he says “Hold on tight ’cause its gonna be wilder than any 8 second ride!” and he’s not talking about cattle either… and that’s no bull! 🙂

Have you ever wondered why rodeo cowboys ride for only 8 seconds? Here’s the lowdown before the hoedown on Rodeo schooling 101: The 8 second length of a qualified ride was devised purely for the safety and well-being of the animals involved. After 8 seconds the horse or bulls bucking ability decreases because of fatigue & adrenaline loss. A longer ride would lead to ‘breaking’ or the taming of the horse or bull in question. The 8 second ride allows the rodeo horses or bulls to continue competing longer at the best of their ability throughout their career in the arena. Don’t you feel smarter already! 🙂

You can pose for your own 8 second ride at Cowboy Bill’s on Duval Street here in the Cowboy Rodeo Capital Of The World Key West, Florida… OK, I just flat made up that last part! You may be stared at if wearing a cowboy hat in Key West but bring it on, I’ve worn mine many times! Yee Haw

Key West’s Walk-Through Tree

Talk about a neat sight to see! Though not on the same scale as the Redwoods in California, this walk-through tree inside of Civil War Fort is awesome! Look below to see how small the arched walkway through the tree really is! The missing block at the top of the arch above their heads is from me… I forgot to duck! 🙂

Hidden away from most visitors since being in an old fort… who goes to see a fort on vacation in Key West right! I do, every chance I get!!! 🙂 This place is FULL of many exotic sights to behold and is the location of one of our favorite picnic spots. I’m sure that so many people simply bypass this fort without even knowing it’s a fort missing this and a half-dozen other delights that await the traveler willing to take the road less traveled.

You too can find this walk-through tree located on the grounds of the West Martello Tower Civil War Fort at Higgs Beach on the southeastern portion of the island. It’s so worth the FREE admission to spend 30-minutes of your next trip to Key West… believe me, you’ll thank me!