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 www.maxpages.com/keybiscayne Key Biscayne, a very attractive island just south of Miami Beach, is connected to the mainland by a toll causeway and two long bridges. The distance is seven miles from the center of the small Key Biscayne village, measuring a little more than one mile square, to the southernmost end of I-95 at Coral Gables just south of Miami. The village is composed of expensive homes (median selling price of $645,000) largely to the west of the north-south trending Crandon Boulevard which largely bisects the island. To the east are hotels and condominiums facing the Atlantic Ocean shore. The west side of the island faces Biscayne Bay which further to the south is a marine national park. The key is noted for its beautiful beaches, watersports, parks, golf, tennis, fishing and all outdoor sports. Biscayne Bay is a much calmer body of water than the open ocean and has live coral growth which is noteworthy as the latitude is quite far north for this part of North America. The weather is also very attractive in the winter time when the northern part of the country cools down considerably. A number of nearby national parks such as the Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Park is most convenient since all are accessible within a few hours drive at most. The single largest attraction is the Seaquarium which features a killer whale and performing dolphins. Lesser attractions include flying boats, ultralights with floats, available for sightseeing rides. I have just spent ten days over the holidays in the key and found the stay delightful. One day I drove out SW 8th Street, Calle Ocho, to the Tamiami Trail to visit the northern entrance to the Everglades and stopped to take an air boat to an Indian village on a hammock (mound usually with small trees) out in the grassy bush. The price was right at $15 for an hour's thrill ride. Incidentally, the water level was low and the alligators were all frequenting the canals and deeper pools so they were visible everywhere. A few were sleeping along the entrance road in Shark Valley and were protected by bright orange traffic cones! On another day, I drove to South Beach at the southernmost end of Miami Beach to see how the reconstruction of the art deco motif was coming along and the area was booming with people and activity. It is so much fun to see the transformation over the years as a young vibrant crowd has supplanted the aging ones from up north. Driving north along the water is always pleasurable and it is interesting to see so many cruise ships at berth in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Still another day was devoted to driving to Key West which is some 150 miles to the south and southwest. The road is now improved to a divided highway along US 1 all the way to Plantation Key or about mile marker 87. The seven-mile bridge is colorful although the deer preserve area at its eastern end was mighty slow going with its reduced speed limit and buildup of road traffic. The town of Key West continues to provide a charming visitor area and I enjoyed the swim at Smathers Beach at its southernmost point. A day trip means one gets back to Miami well after dark but it is well worth it. Another day spent largely on a bicycle ride through the key's parks and along its beaches was enjoyable. Although there was an incursion of cold air from the north in Florida while I was there, that did not prevent the days from being sunny and bright. I did find swimming at the Atlantic beach side was too cool for real comfort but I did get wet and avoided the stinging men of war that were currently visiting the island. Overall, a large holiday week in the Key Biscayne/Miami area was most welcomed after a two-week Caribbean cruise aboard the M/V Zenith out of Jacksonville. REFERENCES: Key Biscayne Introduction. Key Biscayne Map. Key Biscayne Map and Aerial Photographs. Key Biscayne Environment Map. Florida Key Maps. Three Perfect Days in the Florida Keys. Key West Travel Information Key West Travel Guide. |
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