04 Visiting the Keys (Key West)
Description
This article is from the Key West FAQ, by Rob Miracle rwm@MPGN.COM with numerous contributions by others.
04 Visiting the Keys (Key West)
Before I start answering these questions, there is a small amount of
commentary that must be stated. Key West, and the Keys are a most
wonderful place. They are so wonderful because of the natural habitat
of the area.
[Rob places a soap box out on the deck, and stands up on it. He
clears his throat, and begins to speak in his best TV Evangelist
voice. As the sound waves approach your ears, you remember that a
shark fin holding two beer cans is strapped to his head!]
Our Coral Reef is one of the best on the planet to explore, but it is
very fragile. Just touching the reef can cause measurable damage to
the local ecological system. Captains and boat owners who run their
boats aground on the reef pay enormous fines for the damages. Respect
the reef, the coral and other life out there. Look. Don't Touch.
Throwing trash in our waters is even more damaging. Large fines are
assessed to those caught littering the ocean. The fish you eat is
caught in our local waters. Remember that before you let a friend toss
a piece of trash into the water.
As you drive through the Keys, remember that many endangered and
protected species live here. The most noticeable is the Key Deer. When
you approach Big Pine, speed limits drop and they are STRICTLY
ENFORCED. You would really hate to spend your vacation in our jails
for hitting one of the deer. As a side note, even at the speed limits,
driving through Big Pine requires care. I was driving the required 35
MPH or less, when I rounded one curve. Two Key Deer were standing in
the median. I slowed down, but as I passed the deer, one bolted.
Luckily for me, the doe bolted the other way. Even though I was
obeying the law, it could have all been over in the bat of an eye!
Enough of the commentary!!!!!
[Rob gets off of the soap-box, places it in a safe place, sips his
Margarita, and continues to field questions]
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