Marathon Space Domes!

Space Domes

In the city of Marathon heading south on US-1 at Mile Marker 52.7 on the left side of the road you’ll find a strange set of aqua colored dome homes & buildings.

These odd shaped abodes are now a Pool Supply Company and formerly a Real Estate Office in prior years. I actually stopped in and spoke with the current occupant quizzing him on its unique style and history. In asking if I could walk around the property and take some photos he replied “If you want to!” so I did and enjoyed it.

If there’s one thing about me you’ll soon find out it’s that “I’m NOT SHY at all!” After all, the worst they can do is say “NO!” I’ve ridden in Barney Fief’s TV show police car, had a guided tour of the Presidential Train & allowed to stroll through Chicago Cubs baseball stadium completely alone for 5 minutes to take photos simply by asking! Oh yeah, that advice is free, YOU’LL RECEIVE NO BILL! 🙂

Florida Keys Housekeeping 101

Now that we’ve begun a new year in the Florida Keys, there’s a one-time paragraph of housekeeping that needs to be passed along. As your instructor for this course I’d be neglecting my duty and obligation if I didn’t say that US-1’s mostly 2-lane roads at 35-50mph can be trying and tempting to say the least! It’s normal to take almost 3hrs to travel the 122.6 miles to Key West’s doorstep.

In order to have fun you must first arrive safely and these signs I assure you are here for the reason of saving lives… so keep your lights on, STAY in your lane and get ready to experience the Keys! Congratulations, you’ve passed with flying colors so consider this your Virtual Diploma! In keeping true to our theme “365 Things To Do In The Florida Keys” I ask you, WHAT’S THE #1 THING TO DO IN THE FLORIDA KEYS… Arriving Alive to enjoy it!

Overseas Highway

Harry S. Truman Overseas Highway

When you hear the word ‘Overseas’ you think of Europe, England or some other far off land. The term ‘Overseas Highway’ you’d  that there was a road leading there. Well NOT in this case! Though some think this road is misnamed (me included), maybe ‘Over The Sea Highway’ would be more appropriate. With that said, here’s today’s blog. 🙂

Stop by and see the ONLY Harry S. Truman Overseas Highway sign in the entire Keys. Located at Mile Marker 91.7 exactly 1 mile north of Islamorada and sits in the median between the North and South bound lanes and can be missed in a heartbeat so be on the lookout. The Overseas Highway is one of the names for the southernmost leg of US-1 and is considered a modern wonder. The road follows the path originally laid out in 1912 by Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway stretching all the way to Key West. The railway closed after severe damage to the roadways & bridges in a 1935 unnamed hurricane and was then sold to the state of Florida. Construction of the highway began in the late 1930’s using some of the original railway spans as well as the coral bedrock of each key and its specially constructed bridge columns. This is surely of interest to  those History buffs along with the weekend tourists!

Overseas Highway Sign