The Florida Keys is a very special place. A definite little slice of heaven on Earth. Life here is different than anywhere else in the United States. Although we have most of the things available to us that all America has, our options for shopping and services are limited. Add to that the fact that we only have one main road running along the entire island chain, planning is imperative.Traveling even a short distance can be time consuming and frustrating.
The communities along our islands are also small and each has it’s unique qualities. Making friends and meeting people takes time and selectiveness, as people tend to come and go. Only the resilient ones who love this lifestyle make it for the long haul. The bulk of our permanent population work in the marine or hospitality industries as we thrive on tourism and the sparkling waters and magnificent reef are our main attraction for visitors.
Why am I here? Because of that wonderful, wondrous water! I have always been drawn to the water and here it is our entire world. With 120 miles of North America’s only living reef, the Atlantic Ocean, the flats of the “back country”, and Florida Everglades National Park, we really do have it all for water lovers, divers, snorkelers, and especially anglers.
Housing in the Keys can be tough. Apartments are hard to find, houses even harder, and both are very expensive to rent or buy. I have been blessed by living in some beautiful places in my beloved keys. Previously, I have always resided in rentals in the upper keys. Key Largo and the islands of Islamorada are the most populated, except for Key West which is an entirely different world! I have enjoyed living in the upper keys where work is a bit easier to find, people are plentiful, and tourism is thriving most of the year…….. but life is ever changing and change is good! So, recently I had the opportunity to become a homeowner and chose the lower keys for a slower pace.
After looking at houses throughout the lower keys, the perfect house was found on Big Pine Key. Being a country girl at heart, this place is perfect! On a secluded canal and surrounded by Key Deer Preserve land, I feel completely at peace. No neighbors, no traffic noise from US1, and deer in our yard every morning makes this new home absolutely heavenly! There may not be the social scene of the upper keys, and not many resources in the immediate area, but being 20 miles from Marathon and 30 miles from Key West makes it extremely attractive and very doable!!
Now I begin a new chapter in life. I live in a beautiful home with my favorite adventure partner and best friend, the cutest little dog a gal like me could wish for, and nature’s bounty in every direction I look. Being just a couple of minutes from open water is the icing on the cake! We make a formidable team in exploring the waters of this new area and the large rural areas found no place else in the keys. I have never been so happy and excited!!
From my past in the Florida Keys, my experiences as a charter captain, my fishing accomplishments, my travel adventures, never boring daily life, and exciting future ahead, I have a lot to write about! So please stay tuned for my future blogs and I express my sincere appreciation to everyone who takes the time to read them. If not for all of YOU……. there would be no Florida Salty Cowgirl!!
Life is short, so get out there and enjoy it! And always…….
GET OUT. GET WET. AND GET SALTY!!!
