Shark Mouth’s NEW Location

Finding this here was unexpected to say the least, the last time I saw this it was further down the Keys in a construction machinery parking lot.

This approximately 10′ x 10′ fiberglass display of a man-eating shark is a photo-op waiting to happen. As you can see this Jaws is currently awaiting his next meal. I admit that I too would like to stick my head through the back of it as if eaten by the JAWS-like replica for my souvenir photo! Just think, you too can have this portable man-eating shark that sits upon a trailer at your next event for kicks and giggles… ok, maybe not.

You can find this portable shark mouth for you souvenir photo-op at Mile Marker 48.7 bayside to the left of the Shady Palm pictured below.

A RARE Crocodile Crossing Sign!

Crocodile Crossing MM 112.8

There are two ‘Crocodile Crossing’ signs on your way down the Keys. Just taking a photo with or without a family member being in it makes for a good picture to tell your out-of-town friends who’ve NEVER seen or heard of a ‘Crocodile Crossing’ sign. In fact, I’ve been told by a reliable blog reader James W. that it may very well be the only “Crocodile Crossing” signs in the western hemisphere . . . at least in English he adds. 🙂

Being 100% honest… YES, you can see an occasional crocodile heading south on US-1 but nowhere near the amount of alligators you’ll be GUARANTEED of seeing on I-75’s Alligator Alley through the Everglades. And yes, there’s a difference between Florida Key’s Crocodiles -vs- Everglades’ Alligators!

The first sign at MM 112.8 is highly unlikely of a sighting since road construction crews have erected fences on both sides of the road that now sadly appear to be permanent. I’m sure the sign there will eventually come down since it’s no longer possible for a gator to cross. So take a few minutes and get off at the access road at MM 108.2 (southbound before the bridge) where you’ll have your best chance on seeing a crocodile. Notice BOTH the standard yellow diamond road sign and the more unusual lettering on the bridge itself! (seen below)

Oh yeah, DON’T feed the gators, they are wild! In the Everglades, experienced & trained Air Boat tour guides show tourist how much the gators LOVE human food in order to get them closer to the boat for a photo-op; believe it or not it’s those large puffy marshmallows! (fact) 🙂 I can’t stress enough and repeat, DO NOT FEED THE WILD GATORS… or your friends may be calling you lefty after you do! 🙂 That would give a whole new meaning to the term HAND OUT! 🙂

Crocodile Crossing Bridge MM 108.2

It’s Time To Give A Smile!

I’ve found a GIVE A SMILE mailbox that says “If You See Someone Without A Smile Give Them One Of Yours”. Living life at a slower pace of life down here gives most a better chance of passing on smiles in this island chain paradise we call the Florida Keys.

**Bonus Points for those who noticed** If you were VERY observant in a recent post, you can see the mailbox on the right hand side of the LARGEST roadside propeller in the entire Florida Keys.

You  can find the ONLY Florida Keys ‘Give A Smile’ mailbox exactly beside the roadside propeller on what’s simply called ‘The Old Highway’ signed North C-905 just one road removed from US-1 at Mile Marker 87.9 oceanside behind the Coral Medical home equipment company.

          

Key Tree Cactus Nature Preserve

I’ve been waiting a long time for this nature preserve to be completed. Passing by with only the sign up and gate locked for the least 2 years, it’s finally open and ready for the public. As you can see below it’s very clean… in fact pristine with its benches, swing and gym-type spider web climber as if they had NEVER BEEN USED.  The inside of the tiki-hut is brand spanking new with tables so far only being used as target practice by birds perched above. YUK

I walked around 40-minutes sweating profusely on this VERY HOT Saturday at noon. Though the property backs up to the Gulf of Mexico, there’s no path yet available to its potential majestic views. Be aware that there’s no restroom facilities, no water, no grilles and unfortunately NO people either! Oh yeah, there’s only parking for 2 or 3 cars… so CAR POOL! 🙂

You can find this newly opened Key Tree Cactus Nature Preserve on US-1 at Mile Marker 80.7 bayside.

         

“10-4 Good Buddy!” CB Channel 9 Sign

“10-4 Good Buddy!”… Wow a CB sign, does that bring back memories of the 1970’s! CB’s were at their height around that time with the song “Convoy” by C.W. McCall 1975 staying No#1 for a massive 19 weeks in Austria! 🙂 (only 1 week in the USA) along with the Hollywood MEGA movie “Smokey and the Bandit” featuring Burt Reynolds & Sally Field in 1977.

Well, I don’t have a CB and never owned one so I can’t verify 100% on it still being manned even though the sign says it is. Not quite sure how many folks these days even own a CB. Even if it’s not manned… WOW what a nostalgic sign either way!

You can find this FREE roadside oddity CB sign directly on US-1 southbound lane at Mile Marker 91.6 bayside.

Welcome to the Florida Keys!

Last Chance Saloon

At the southern end of Florida City is the imaginary Mile Marker 126.7 which is the unmarked unofficial official beginning to the Florida Keys. 🙂 It’s here at Last Chance Saloon (notice the sign, it actually says: Inside Toilets & Friendly People Only!) 🙂 where you’ll make your trips first decision of turning left onto Card Sound Road or going straight on what’s commonly called “The 18 Mile Stretch” of US-1 South.

Card Sound Road is a 25.8 mile toll road and a no brainer when US-1 is backed up, closed or during major holidays. “The 18 Mile Stretch” is the more direct approach and therefor always busier. Card Sound Road offers: Alabama Jack’s, Panther Crossing sign, Crocodile Lake Wildlife Refuge, Rock and Roll stones & Dagny Johnson Botanical Park. “The 18 Mile Stretch” has Gilbert’s Resort, the Pirate Ship “Queen Ann’s Revenge II”, Crocodile Crossing sign & Over Manatee Creek. I myself have a rule of thumb of taking US-1 down (always ready to get there) and returning by Card Sound Road. All sites listed above on both roads have been be detailed in past blogs so put that search feature to work! 🙂

Dead End Hiking!

Welcome to a DEAD END in the middle of the boonies. Here’s one for the die-hard dedicated adventurous readers of our blog! 🙂 I on the other hand chose NOT to hike on this particular sweltering day of summer! Heck, I nearly passed out standing outside for 11-minuter 23-seconds while taking these photos! 😦

I’m not 100% sure on where these paths lead but it’s probably a muddy footpath to the Gulf of Mexico. There’s at least two different choices and directions that you can start your hike, both begin behind the brown sign shown below. If anyone has photos please let me know by passing them along! OH YEAH, the signs say “Hike at your own risk” & “Please lock your doors, remove valuables from sight”.

PS – Tell someone that you’re going out here since you’ll have NO cell phone service and bring mosquito spray and extra water because you’re in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! I bid you “Good Luck” in English & Spanish “Buena Suerte”… you’re going to need it! 🙂

You can find these DEAD END HIKING paths by driving on US-1 to Mile Marker 30.4 bayside and turning onto Key Deer Blvd. Once you’ve turned, simply go down 4.6 miles straight ahead your private parking area. Yes, that’s my car in the photo, I was there for 20-minutes overall NEVER seeing another human being for miles.

         

Know Your Buoys!

Did you take ‘Buoy 101’ as part of your college curriculum? Don’t worry, I didn’t either. I bet that 99.9% of average Joes and 99.8% of fisherman couldn’t tell you the meaning of every single color, shape, size, number, letter, lit or unlit buoy is either! 🙂 BUT if your interested, here’s a chart I found titled ‘Know Your Buoys’ that’ll explain ANYTHING & EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know and MORE about buoys! (WOW… I bet you’re really fired up to read it now) 🙂

You can find this ‘Know Your Buoys’ sign and MORE at Key West’s City Marina beside the Palm Avenue Causeway in Key West’s northwest portion of the island.

A Scuba Shark From Sharknado?

One of the ODDEST and most unnatural looking sights in the entire Florida Keys! To prove it, just check out the shark with its own scuba mask, respirator, air tanks and weight belt. Too Funny!

On second thought, it reminds me of the ongoing SyFy original movie saga ‘Sharknado’ where tornadoes filled with sharks follow a family wherever they go… and that’s been thru 5 movies in 5 years so far! By the way, have you ever noticed how the character’s first names reference shark body parts: Fin Shepard & Gil Shepard. 🙂

You can find the Key’s ONLY Scuba Shark on US-1 in Islamorada at Mile Marker 83.8 oceanside directly in front of Wahoo’s Bar & Grill complex.

Fish Camp

True fishermen! I love it, these guys are preparing their days catch on the open water for a fresh fish dinner to die for.

Sport & pleasure fishing is REALLY BIG in the Keys. Fishing is something you either LOVE or leave to someone else. Ever since the day I was taken to the hospital and had a hook cut out of my thumb… I now leave the sport to someone else! (true) 😦 These guys on the other hand live for it showing up in their enthusiasm as I watched and spoke to them.

You can find this Backcountry Fishing Camp just off US-1 at Mile Marker 33.0 oceanside near the northern entrance to the Key Deer Habitat. Turn onto Long Beach Drive and then left into the parking lot of the Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge.