The Islamorada Street Fair was a great success for the Bike tour this weekend. We had Florida Travel and Leisure Magazine along for the ride and will do a piece on the bike tour in June. These photos were taken from the Pinder Grave Yard located on the Cheeca Lodge Property. Cheeca Lodge Beach was at one time the heart of Islamorada dating back to the mid 1800's. This graveyard is what has survived since the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. I am going to try to do something new in March and see i...
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 I occasionaly get a phone call asking me about cycling the whole Keys. I have done it several times myself. However, I prefer to take my bike and kayak to different parts of the Keys and experience some of the State Parks, bridges and local islands. With the bike path construction underway throughout the Keys, one day soon, the bike path with the exception of a few bridges will connect the whole length of the Keys.

I will do three write ups going into detail riding the bike path from Key Lar...
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December's schedule will be the following:

• December 2nd Full Moon Bike Tour at 9 PM- Meet at the Hurricane Monument

• December 19th and 20th at 10 AM-  Meet at Midway Cafe
• December 26th and 27th at 10 AM- Meet at Midway Cafe
• December 30th and Jan 1st-Full Moon Bike Tour 8 PM- Meet at Hurricane Monument
  
• January 1st,2nd and 3rd at 10 AM-  Meet at Midway Cafe at 10 AM
  

Remember, bring your own bike or rent one locally. Call Mark at 305-879-0390 to hold a spot. Please do not show up without ...
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Today we had a nice crowd from Tampa, Norfolk, and Charlottesville and Richmond. We also had some locals. We are getting ready for our October 3rd and 4th bike and kayak tour out to Indian Key. I am boning up on my Indian Key history so this should be a fun event. If you would like to attend, bring your own bike and kayak or Backcountry cowboy can hook  you up. Go to Backcountrycowboy.com.  The event will start at 10 AM. Call Mark for details at 305-879-0390.  

Michelle Cacares from the Holid...
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The dates for the bike and kayak tours are set for the first weekend in October which are the 3rd and 4th. The start time will be 10 AM. However, we will meet at the boat launching area on Indian Key fill on the bay side. The groups will be limited to 10 each day.  You can bring your own bike and kayak if you wish. We will stage on Indian Key fill and our club will have people to watch the bikes and kayaks during the tour. Once we set up, our group will ride straight to the Hurricane Monument...
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One of our stops is the Green Turtle in Islamorada.  It was originally the Rustic Inn Lodge built in the early part of the 19th century.  It survived the 35 Hurricane. Later it became the world famous Green Turtle. Several of the bodies were cremated and buried in the parking lot after the 35 Hurricane. Two years later, the ashes were removed and placed in a crypt at the Hurricane Monument a stones throw away from this picture.

My favorite story about the Green Turtle is in the 70's John Belus...
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The Islamorada Historical Bicycle Tour is a two hour tour that is 6.5 miles long. The tour starts at 10 AM and goes to 12 Noon.  It covers over 2000 years of History, including the Indian occupation, the Spaniards, the pioneer families, the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, the Red Cross Homes, the development of the railroad, highway, the drug running days and crazy Keys stories.  It is a great way to start your vacation in Islamorada and the Keys to learn about where to go and what to see.   Call M...
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