On the west side of US1 is No Name Key, Refuge Bay, Spanish Harbor Keys, and across Spanish Harbor Channel you enter Big
Pine (MM30) and the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge. You have entered the home of the Key Deer. Key Deer are distant
relatives of Virginia White-tailed deer and stand about 3 feet tall. Thanks to conservation efforts their population has
risen from 50 to approximately 300. The endangered DEER ZONE on US1 is from MM33-MM30 and the speed limit is 45 MPH in
the day and 35MPH at night.
Near the Key Deer national Wildlife Refuge is the Great White Heron Wildlife Refuge, the Watson Hammock Nature Preserve;
and Blue Hole, the largest body of fresh water in the Keys. Looe Key Reef National Marine Sanctuary (MM30) is one of the
most fascinating attractions in the Lower Keys. It is named for the H.M.S. Looe, a British frigate that sank in 1744. It
is 5.3 square Nautical miles of coral reef, that is easily accessible to snorkel and scuba divers. You can see ballast
stones from the shipwreck and a wide array of colorful tropical fish and coral. It has been protected since 1981 and it
is acclaimed as one of the most spectacular diving spots. A complete reef ecosystem can be observed within this Marine Sanctuary.
The newest artificial reef in the keys is the Adolphus Busch Sr. and has quickly become a viable marine habitat located halfway
between Looe Key and the American Shoal, about 5 miles southwest of Big Pine. The Adolphus Busch Sr. was a 210 foot island freighter,
named for the patriarch of the Busch brewing family (the beer people). It was scuttled intentionally in December 1998 in 100 feet of
water. Dive on in and check it out!
At about MM 17 in Sugar Loaf Key is a local landmark the Perky Bat Tower constructed in 1929 by non-other than Richter C. Perky.
It was Perky's attempt to carve out a fishing camp amidst land infested with wicked mosquitoes. According to historians, Perky
built the tower and brought flocks of bats to eat the mosquitoes. The plan failed and rumor has it that the mosquitoes ate the bats!
You can't fool with Mother Nature! Which is a reminder, wherever you go, in, on, or around the water or the land in the keys remember
to be cautious, courteous, and let your camera capture the memories while you leave these natural wonders untouched for future generations to share.
More Keys:
Key Largo Key West Islamorada Marathon Tavernier
Pat Ketchum
Cell: 305-923-9424
Home: 305-853-5144
Email: Pat Ketchum
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