Read the July 2016 issue of Unwind here
Transcription
Read the July 2016 issue of Unwind here
ON THE WATER ESSENTIALS + BEACH SUMMER SPOTS SAILING THE KEYS SAILING THE KEYS EVERGLADES Kayaking Expedition page 11 REWIND: THE FLORIDA REEF JULY 2016 We do it all! Stunning design. Worry-free installation. Amazing results! furniture interior design remodels painting flooring window treatments kitchens baths OPEN DAILY 6am-7pm 29770 O/S HWY FRESH BALLYHOO, LIVE BAIT, FROZEN BAIT REMODEL REDESIGN REFURNISH your keys home KITCHEN & BATH EXPERTS Get started today! cabinets | countertops | flooring | fixtures GREAT PRICES FRIENDLY STAFF PERFORMANCE GEAR HUGE IN-STOCK INVENTORY FREE WEEKLY SEMINARS FURNITURE AND www.RoyalFurnitureAndDesign.com KEY L A RG O | M A RAT HON | KE Y W E S T 305.451.5700 305.743.4397 All work performed by LOCAL, LICENSED & INSURED contractors. 305. 295. 6400 Thursdays @ 5pm www.LowerKeysTackle.com ([SHULHQFHWKH%HVWLQ%RDWV DQG6HUYLFHDW&DULEHH ͷ Ƭȁǯȁ ǡƬȁǦǡǡ Ƭȁ ȁȁȁȁȁȁǦǡ ǡ e e b i r Ca ǣͺͳǤͷ ǡ͵͵Ͳ͵ ͵ͲͷǤͶǤ͵Ͷ͵ͳ ZZZFDULEHHERDWVFRP ARINA ND M ALES A S T A BO t! the Bes t c e p x E this issue 8 Essentials: On the Water 11 Local Flavor: Kayaking the Everglades 16 Southernmost Appeal: Sailing the Keys 22 Rewind: The Florida Reef 26 Island Charm: Top Beaches in the Keys 30 Essentials: Boatbound Publisher’s note: The waters that surround the Florida Keys are the very lifeblood of our community. Water is what feeds our tourism industry, the primary driver of our economy. Water fuels many of the activities we enjoy here, whether it’s fishing, diving or boating. Water surrounds us and gives great meaning to our local universe. In this “On the Water” issue of unwind, our 4th annual installment, we once again examine aspects of the Keys and the ways our waters can be enjoyed and experienced. We will delve into the world of Keys sailing and the adventures that await while exploring our waters in that exhilarating fashion. We’ll take a deeper dive on the history of the Florida Keys Coral reef system and why it’s so important to our region. You’ll experience first-hand a very personal kayaking trek through the Everglades, one fraught with both extreme beauty and unexpected challenges. And finally, we’ll take you on a tour of the 10 best beaches in the Florida Keys. It’s a wild ride, but we’re sure you’re up for it, so kick back, enjoy this edition, and remember to always find time to unwind! THE FLORIDA KEYS A Special publication produced by the Keynoter Publishing Company Publisher: Richard Tamborrino Creative Director: Emily Pulis Advertising Coordinator: Joanne Pulis Contributing Writers: Bob Williams, Craig Zabransky, Don Rhodes unwindFloridaKeys.com | 305-743-5551 P.O. Box 500158, Marathon, FL 33050 COVER PHOTO BY John Woodell ESSENTIALS FLORIDA KEYS FULL SERVICE BOATING & MARINE CENTER � the Water CURATED BY Emily Pulis WALK ON WATER The Mirage Eclipse Standup by Hobie is the world’s first stand up pedalboard. Rather than a paddle, riders use the patented MirageDrive technology to power these stand up boards with their legs! Steering is at your fingertips, utilizing handlevers like those found on a bicycle. There’s minimal setup so you can go from the car, the dock or your boat to the water in minutes. Cruise solo, with your dog or with a group and take fitness out of the gym and onto the water. The board is lightweight, durable and full of great features like gear tie-downs and a kick-up rudder (making transporting and storage a breeze). $2,499, Florida Bay Outfitters in Key Largo, hobiecat.com The Mirage Eclipse takes standup to a whole new level. 8 unwind | July 2016 INFLATABLE HAMMOCK A take-anywhere cushion of air? Yes, please! The latest outdoor seating trend "Inflatable Hammocks" are convenient, comfortable and most importantly don't require lung air-supply! Simply wave the pouch around, and it will inflate on its own. Made of water-repellent parachute material, the WindPouch™ can be used on land or in the water. Includes a metal carabiner, bottle opener and securing stake. $75.95, windpouch.com FIND YOUR OM It’s hard to find your center during a SUP yoga practice if you’re drifting into boat traffic or uncomfortable on your board. Truly unwind during your SUP yoga sessions with the SurfStow yoga mat and anchor kit. Suction cups on the mat keep it from sliding around the board, while the added thickness of the mat provides extra cushion, stability, and comfort. The accompanying three-pound galvanized anchor features a 25-foot marinegrade rope attached to the in-line buoy, swivel clasp and leash loop to keep your board in place; the anchor stows easily too, as it’s foldable and has a self-draining storage bag. (board is not included). $99.99, available at West Marine stores throughout the Keys, or online at westmarine.com FLOAT ON Let this giant pineapple float sweeten up your summer and get you to your tropical happy-place faster. This jumbo float is six feet of fun, letting you lounge in style. Made of durable vinyl it's easy to wipe down, inflate/ deflate, and store. It would also make a great gift for pool owners or your favorite beach bum that has Sponge Bob aspirations. $27.99, thefloatystore.com We are proud to offer quality boat sales by Edgewater, Parker, Mitzi Skiffs and Premier Pontoons. In Stock New & Used Boats • Brokerage Sales • Factory Authorized Yamaha Dealer Dry & Wet Storage • Re-Power Specialist On Site • Ship’s Store & Parts State of the Art Equipment • 75 Ton Travel Lift • Fixed Price Work Orders Paint Tent • Finish On Time and Within Budget July 2016 | unwind 9 LOCAL FLAVOR Key West’s oldest and largest Watersports company Do it All! $//'$<$'9(1785( Free Sunset Cruise Free Parasail Ride with the purchase of the Do It All Watersports Adventure MUST BOOK DIRECT FOR DISCOUNT EVERGLADES by PADDLE 20% OFF RACK RATES DINNER CRUISES DOLPHIN WATCH REEF SNORKEL PARASAIL RIDES JETSKI TOURS (305) 296-2554 www.SunsetWatersportsKeyWest.com Following is a chronicle of a 300-mile endurance expedition called the Everglades Challenge undertaken in 2015 by Bob Williams of Marathon and his companion Nora Jones. The race departs from Tampa Bay and concludes in the Florida Keys. WRITTEN BY Bob Williams SHORE LEAVE Bob and Nora, 45 miles into the Wilderness Trail section of the Everglades National Park, on one of several shore stops. W hether your goal is to entertain or relax, the Outdoor Environments staff at D’Asign Source can help you achieve any goal. We can help you find the perfect furniture or develop a design layout for a your new pool. As a licensed Landscape Architecture and General Contractor firm, we can help. Visit our beautiful 25,000 square foot 10 unwind | July 2016 showroom to learn and see more!” 11500 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 305.743.7130 | www.dasignsource.com carefully weighed and cataloged each The Everglades Challenge is a new dry bag to be stowed. Once the grueling multi-vessel competition that gear and provisions were stowed, the my companion Nora and I entered in consolidated weight was 440 pounds. 2015. We entered the competition with It was a Saturday morning start with my home-made 22-foot wooden tandem conditions that were relatively benign kayak in the Class 1 division. Initially for anyone preparing for a Tampa I was skeptical about entering such a Bay crossing. Unfortunately the bay's high-endurance race with an untested 400-square-mile micro-climate has a vessel, but ultimately conceded. reputation for rapid There were weather transitions, modifications to Made the trek in a which had escaped the kayak that homemade wooden our collective needed completion tandem kayak. awareness as all race before setting off. participants focused Completing the on preparation for the start of the race. rudder and foot-steering system Unstable weather conditions upgrade proved to be a tremendous persevered throughout and the race was improvement in handling, especially designed to favor those with a strong downwind. The rudder also greatly sense of current, navigation and, most complemented another installation importantly, the limits of the vessel and of a one-square-meter reaching sail, the body driving it. allowed by race rules, which could be We experienced our first roll-over in deployed or stowed in seconds. We had July 2016 | unwind 11 LOCAL FLAVOR HIGH SPIRITS Despite the unknowns they would face throughout, Bob and Nora never lost sight of the experience. BASE CAMP Making sure the travelers set up camp before dark was a priority. BRAVING THE ELEMENTS The cold wind and water challenged the kayakers as much as the trip distance itself. RIGGED TO SAIL The newly installed sailing rig held up surprisingly well considering the rigors of the trip. 12 unwind | July 2016 chart, unable to clearly distinguish the continuous wall of dark vegetation at each turn in the river. We were engulfed in a torrential downpour with wind gusts threatening to drive us into the low tide mangrove roots hanging above the surface. Their dangling roots were clustered with sharp oysters, daring us to grab them for stability. There was also the fear that hungry crocodiles were lurking right beside us. Only later did I admit to seeing paired green reflections when sweeping my headlamp along the mangrove fringe. I chose to write them off as exceptionally large bull frogs. The surreal nature of so much raw wilderness left us with a constant mix of trepidation and awe. Our intense awareness of the night sounds and smells, along with the rhythmic roll induced through our nowflawless synchronized paddling was mesmerizing. With our headlamps off and our night vision restored, aided with the rising moon glistening on the dripping mangrove leaves, we were totally transported to another reality. As the moon got higher it began reflecting the ripple patterns in the water while the bioluminescence streamed off of our upward paddles with each stroke, leaving a glowing trail in the dark from where we came. We paddled the next five days through the interior Everglades, far away from civilization, immersed in the solitude and the tapestry of tropical wetlands. The brisk southeast wind was demanding every ounce of our endurance; our downwind sail rig remaining untested. We were constantly amazed by the number #P[ RQPVQQP ECP HNQCV 5GG YJCV OCMGU $GPPKPIVQP HN[ PHOTOS COURTESY OF Bob Williams TEST OF ENDURANCE The open water distance and the evolving sea and wind conditions demanded their complete attention. shared with the kayak, now anointed the first 10 miles. It resulted from losing with the name Splinter, we were no rudder control when a poorly wedged worse for the wear from the early part water jug broke loose and jammed of the trip. under my steering peddle while surfing This would now become our personal off a wave. We quickly learned that adventure. waste skirts are great for keeping the We paddled past the Ten Thousand waves out until you are forced to push Islands into the Everglades interior and out of a roll over. Once the first wave made our first camp on an isolated broke over the righted kayak, there was beach framed in with a collection of never an effective way to bail out before massive weather-smoothed driftwood the next wave broke. that demanded appreciation against the We had lost most of our reserve scarlet sunset. Getting the tent set up buoyancy and dry stores to the 15 before the mosquito cloud descended new dry bags that were full of water was a priority, but even with that, our during the rollover. So much for reserve first night was overwhelmed with buoyancy. In addition, we lost our GPS the high frequency noise of countless and the absence of that tested my mosquitoes on the outside of the navigational skills throughout the trip. tent's ventilation However, on the bright screen, eager for the side, I was impressed It was a direct 30+ mile attractive meal we to see that our newly crossing south to our presented inside. installed sailing rig home in Marathon. At sunrise, we and rudder assembly reloaded and suffered no harm paddled south into Shark River, working through the rigors of the day. our way inland to the wilderness trail. We learned shortly thereafter that The afternoon's whipping wind turned the U.S. Coast Guard had canceled the the shallow water into mini whitecaps, race due to the number of rescues and seemingly redirecting our course and unstable conditions. But after some forcing us to pick up our cadence, thought, Nora and I were determined making each stroke count. Considering to make the trip anyway. We were the distance we were planning to cover well-provisioned and truly wanted that day, we speculated on the misery of to get up close and personal with the a night in the 'Glades if we were unable inland waters of the Everglades, away to find a dry spot to set up camp before from cell phones, news and every other dark. That would leave us sequestered distraction that keeps one from briefly in our kayak until sunrise—a disturbing setting aside life's stresses. possibility. Since we were no longer constrained The wind and the absence of GPS by race rules, we decided to complete course accuracy ate away at our rate of the 200 miles of the Everglades progress. Wilderness Waterway and cross Florida My earlier speculation was now our Bay into the Florida Keys rather than reality. We were counting turns and follow the Everglades' broken coastline. course angles in the dark, on a paper All of our gear and the kayak had been chart, with my headlamp killing my thoroughly reviewed and we determined night vision with each glance at the that, other than some abrasions that we 70&'4 &'%- 9#8' 5*+'.& .+(6+0) 564#-'5 5'#56#4m *;&4#7.+% 56''4+0) 9994+8#//%1/ Ű // Ű 18'45'#5 *9; -'; .#4)1 Ű 6'. LOCAL FLAVOR of dolphins we would come across feeding in the shallow fresh water, many miles from the gulf. Sometimes in the restricted mangrove passageways they would swim right by us on their side, making direct eye contact as we watched them pass. Occasionally an alligator would venture out from the shadows to remind us that they, and their crocodile cousins, were the top predator of the neighborhood. More than half the distance inside the Wilderness Waterway is a chain of shallow, brackish lakes angling into the southeast wind, leaving us with significant open-water segments with short whitecaps that would periodically break over the bow. This forced us to keep the skirts snapped in, which made the inside of the kayak warm and humid. It was always more comfortable, GLADES SUNSET once back into a A Florida Bay sheltered passage, sunset was one of to disconnect the the many rewards of this exhausting skirts from the deck journey. for good ventilation through the kayak. On the seventh night we paddled into Flamingo. We set up camp and fell asleep about 50 feet from the water. Around 3 a.m. we were awakened by a tremendous amount of thrashing and wave action from a 15-foot crocodile and the unfortunate critter she found for dinner. We unloaded all of the gear, portaged the kayak over the flood-control gate that separates the fresh water side of the Everglades to the Florida Bay side, reloaded Splinter and left the Everglades behind. It was a direct 30-plus-mile crossing south to our home in Marathon. The morning was spectacular and the water was gin clear with vast schools of sparkling juvenile fish, eagle rays and several species of young sharks, all oblivious to our presence. Many would gracefully swim up to the shallow hull, suddenly see us and explode into a panic departure. Large spring flocks of wading birds reflected in the early sunlight giving, the illusion of snow banks stretching on the horizon. The great white pelicans, with wing spans over 9 feet, were also congregating on 14 unwind | July 2016 Scan me and visit us online! Hear better in the moments you enjoy most 513 Fleming Street Ste. #11, 2nd Floor Key West, Florida 33040 Towers Professional Plaza 151 NW 11th Street, Ste. W-301 Homestead, Florida 33030 7000 West 12th Avenue, Ste. 20 Hialeah, Florida 33014 Surfside Hearing Center 222 95th Street Surfside, Florida 33154 CALL TODAY & START YOUR FREE TRIAL! 305-247-8227 the water in huge flocks getting ready for their seasonal departure to their distant rookeries. Florida Bay is not friendly to boats or marine mammals needing water depth of more than a few inches. All risk being caught in a falling tide and dried out in the sun until the next rising tide. That's an inconvenience for us, but a fatal error for the occasional dolphin or shark caught fishing the area at the wrong time. Even in our kayak we had to negotiate course changes miles out of our way to circumvent low tide shoals. The absence of a GPS continued to test my navigational skills. We only had the surface refraction of the bottom's transitional colors to warn of sudden shifts from a couple of feet to a couple of inches clearance. North Florida Bay is flat and shallow with slightly deeper connecting channels carved out by the primordial ebb and flow of the tides. The ancient outflow of the River of Grass has lost much of its life-sustaining and bottomcontouring influence into Florida Bay over the past 50 years. What you don't see up close is apparent at 40,000 feet, a network of straight, manmade, eastwest canals cut through the Everglades, engineered to redirect the natural southerly sheet flow of freshwater east into the Atlantic and Gulf instead of Florida Bay. As beneficial as this massive channel segmentation of the Everglades has been to sugar cane farmers and developers, it has been devastating to much of the ecology of the Everglades and Florida Bay. The many gems of inspiring natural beauty we experienced through the Everglades and into Florida Bay would not leave us as we made the 35-mile paddle across Florida Bay to Marathon in 14 hours. Other than the wind once again shifting ahead of us, the weather had been excellent, with exceptional visibility to the bottom, even in open water where the depth dropped to 25 feet. Sunset arrival left us feeling exhilarated and fortunate in having completed our journey, no worse for the wear. Without hesitation, we both agreed the trip was worth making again, but starting from Marathon heading north, with the prevailing wind to our back, would be preferable next time. SOUTHERNMOST APPEAL KEYS HISTORY & DISCOVERY CENTER PRESENTS FloridaKeysLuxuryHomes.com SETTING SAIL in the Florida Keys 92003 Overseas Hwy. KeysOceanfront.com WRITTEN BY Craig Zabransky For many of us, one of our more profound memories of the Florida Keys is celebrating a sunset. Whether the celebration occurred at a memorable locale, like Key West's Mallory Square or simply experiencing it at the countless waterfront bars, restaurants or marinas, the magic of the moment improves even more when a sailboat crosses the horizon. We marvel at the sunset but can't help but wonder what it would be like to be the one on the sailboat watching it. It's no surprise, then, that a sunset sailboat cruise or charter, a popular tourist attraction in the Florida Keys, ignites an imagination of time at sea. President Kennedy reminded us, We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or watch, we are going back from whence we came. The sea is almost always in view in the Florida Keys and the island chain offers plenty of opportunities not just to watch a sunset at sea but to take action and brave the world of wind and water and set sail on the seas. Most everyday exploration of the Keys occurs by driving and depending on where one might stop, we can access the sea and set sail on a new type of Florida Keys adventure. In Tavernier, Upper Keys visitors find Sunshine Coast Adventures where Capt. Jenny MacLean offers American Sailing Association classes and charter opportunities for couples, or up to 16 unwind | July 2016 PHOTO BY Craig Zabransky Celebrating the National Park Service Centennial is 50 years in the making of the work of renowned black-and-white photographer Clyde Butcher as he traveled across the country. Best known for his photography in the Everglades and surrounding natural places, the exhibit features stunning photographs of national parks ranging from the swamps in the Everglades to the mountains of Montana to the redwoods in California. The exhibit is on display though August 28, 2016. Exhibit made possible through the generosity of The Everglades Trust. Keys History & Discovery Center On the property of the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost, Islamorada, MM 82 Open Thursdays through Sundays • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. General admission $12; Seniors $10; Children 13-under, free Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The Newman Team 305-393-1770 Ready to Sell? Call us today! Schmitt Real Estate $22M Sold in 2014 $19M+ Sold/Pending in 2015 Margo Newman, Brett Newman & Rebecca Callahan, Realtors® SOUTHERNMOST APPEAL LEARN TO SAIL Explosive growth in the bare-boat charter market has increased access and opportunity for travelers. Before you decide to set sail with friends on a course for the islands on your own, certain American Sailing Association requirements must be met. Through ASA certified schools (all schools mentioned are ASA, more info at ASA.com) one must pass the following: • ASA 101, basic keelboat sailing, 2 days • ASA 103, basic coastal cruising, 3 days • ASA 104, bare-boat cruising, 3 days Key Largo & Tavernier INDIAN SUMMER II Captain Jenny MacLean's 41 ft. sailboat for small sailing groups is based out of Tavernier. ALL ABOARD The Florida Keys Sailing Club attracts groups wanting everything from hourly to weekly trips. cruising the Florida Keys for a week three people, aboard her 41-foot Indian on a monohull or even at times on a Summer II. catamaran. With roots in Quebec's St. Lawrence Easy access to both the Florida waterway, MacLean migrated from Bay and the Atlantic Ocean with Canada in the late 1990s for a life of destinations and weather patterns adventure at sea in the Florida Keys. different on both sides provides a Today she operates her sailing school perfect setting for sailing at sunset or from her boat and makes sure she sunrise. mixes in snorkeling, swimming, fishing Regardless of the type of sailing and even guitar (she can play) sessions experience, GDub notices a common at sunset for students she politely thread among his patrons. Even if refers to as pirates. they sailed before or if a friend dragged On a recent excursion, she and her them on board, when the person grabs student crew, a 65-year-old couple, the helm and gets the bug, he says, his landed a beautiful swordfish while also or her life will change forever. showing them how to man the helm The road may end in Key West, but and slow the boat from eight knots to the Florida Keys continue for another two knots by adjusting the sails. While seventy miles, this catch ended accessible only up being catch and by water. Here, release, she offers A Keys sunset becomes the well-traveled up locally caught even more special when husband and wife fish on the menu a sailboat crosses the team of Kimber for her students. horizon. and Capt. David One of her Whidden own and greatest joys is operate the Key West Sailing Academy. checking up on past pirates as they set Both have grown up on the sea. A sail on charters around the globe. couple of years ago they created the In the Middle Keys, the owner of sailing school in Key West on Stock Florida Keys Sailing, known locally as Island. In addition to his knowledge GDub, leads a school established in the of the sea, David Whidden was a 1990s. Annapolis, Md., set the stage 2015 American Sailing Association for his adventures in sailing, and he instructor of the year. The school utilizes a pool of like-minded people as couples the experience at sea with instructors to spread the love of the sea gourmet cooking since David also and teach the joys of sailing. gained experience catering for private Marathon attracts a range of clients jets on the gulf shores of Alabama in a from those wanting to sail for just a past life. few hours to those that want to go out Capt. Jenny MacLean, Sunshine Coast Adventures SunshineSailing.com Marathon Capt. Gdub, Florida Keys Sailing SailFLKeys.com Key West Capt. David Whidden, Key West Sailing Academy KeyWestSailingAcademy.com PHOTOS BY Craig Zabransky & COURTESY OF Florida Keys Sailing & Sunshine Coast Adventures MANY OPTIONS In the Middle Keys, easy access to both the Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean provides many sunset and sunrise options. SNUBA® Is great for the whole family ages 8 and up. No need for training or heavy equipment in the water Our Instructors will give you a thorough orientation and accompany you and your family while exploring one of our beautiful reefs Key Largo 305-451-1500 Big Pine 305-735-4322 Islamorada 305-664-4637 Sugarloaf 305-745-1856 Marathon 305-289-5670 Key West 305-292-2923 unwind | July 2016 Combination trips of SNUBA®, SCUBA, Freedivers and Riders are scheduled twice daily at 8AM and 1PM Call tODaY ForYour Reservations! (305) 743-7255 We Also Offer the Following AIR FILLS-Visuals-HYDROS Gear Repair SCUBA and Snorkel Equipment Rentals Spearfishing, and Lobster Season Supplies FromTraining to Outfitting We haveYou Covered TILDENS SCUBA CENTER www.c21Schwartz.com Real Estate Sales, Property Management & Vacation Rentals Each office is individually owned and operated. 18 Our Certified Instructors will train you to obtain all Levels of SCUBA Certifications, starting with OPEN WATER at age 10 4650 OVERSEAS HWY MM 49.5 Next to the Hurricane Bar & Grill (305) 743-7255 Sea Us on the Web www.tildensscubacenter.com SOUTHERNMOST APPEAL As seen on The Food Network with Bobby Flay and Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives FUN FOR ALL Sailing appeals to boaters and adventurers of all ages, including the kids. A Key Largo Landmark for over 25 years! SAIL FISH? Captain Jenny makes sure customers enjoy great fishing and a rewarding sailing experience. The school offers access to the Dry Tortugas and holds one of only 30 licenses to the U.S. national park property. This adventure is not for everyone, as it requires perfect sailing conditions and there is nowhere to hide. Additionally, the school owns and operates a smaller 22-foot boat designed to allow first-time students access to an ideal learning vessel, as well as a larger vessel, the Sargasso, for the main voyages where the mission is to make each detail unforgettable. There are many schools and sailing Lunch 11:30am to 4pm | Dinner 4 to 10pm | Market 10am to 10pm 102401 Overseas Hwy., O/S, Key Largo, FL 305-451-4665 the moments at sea don't become opportunities across the Florida a chance to unplug, but rather the Keys. Locals and visitors alike will chance to plug in and become truly notice that each sailing school can alive. offer different Captain Jenny specialties, summed it up so approaches and The Key West Sailing well. “The Sea. It's price points. Academy holds one of simple. If you listen Several also focus only 30 licenses to the Dry to its whispers and on youth sailing. Tortugas national park. moods, it will teach Yet regardless you the essence of of the captain life. The sailing is just a conduit to that or location, everyone shares the balance, that essence. And that's what sailing experience once the lines my students find out here.” are cast. Then something happens; Aandah Jantzen Every mon - Sat 5 - 8 p Experience the WALL OF SOUND Art Exhibit Unveilling on July 24 CHICAGO’S PRESENTS BLUES 7 NIGHTS A WEEK FROM 8 PM ONWARDS: JULY 17- 31, SEP 7 - 20 AUG 30 - SEPT 6 SEPT 22 - OCT 8 OCT 10 - 31 HAPPY HOUR 4 -7 DAILY AWESOME FISH TACOS ( 32 CRAFT BEERS ON TAP (including Florida craft beer specialties) WATERSIDE DINING SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER. Open Late! Live Music! 522 Caribbean Caribbean Drive Drive 522 Key Largo Largo Fl Fl 33037 33037 Key 305.453.1905 •• Sharkeysgalley.com Sharkeysgalley.com 305.453.1905 REWIND The Florida Reef RESTFUL VIEW Beautiful coral reefs like the Secret Garden Reef in the Upper Keys have been around for thousands of years. COEXISTENCE Sea creatures like this spotted moray are virtually one with the Keys coral reef. SOFT CORAL This gorgonian soft coral resembles a strange tree and is made up of living polyps. 22 unwind | July 2016 formation or melting of ice during the The Atlantic side of the Florida Keys various ice ages. is bordered by a 150-mile long reef The sea withdrew, the land rose, and system that is the most extensive living about 7,000 years ago what we think coral reef in the United States and third of today as the Keys reef system, came largest in the world following Australia’s into existence. 1,600 mile “Great Florida's coral reef The reef serves Barrier Reef” and the entire ocean Belize’s 190 mile system most closely ecosystem by barrier reef. resembles a barrier reef. providing food and Approximately living space for its tiniest residents as 100,000 years ago, the underwater well as large sea dwellers that start life areas that later would be known as the in the reef. If one link in the ecosystem upper and middle Keys were covered chain breaks, others will follow. with extensive living coral. The coral Coral reefs support more species came and went as the depth of the per unit area than any other marine sea rose and fell depending on the PHOTOS BY Don Rhodes WRITTEN BY Don Rhodes environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species. Scientists estimate that there may be another 1 to 8 million undiscovered species of organisms living in and around reefs. The three major kinds of coral reefs found in the world are atolls, fringing reefs and barrier reefs. Florida's coral reef system most closely resembles a barrier reef. However, since the Florida reefs are closer to shore and lack the shallow inshore lagoons found on most barrier reefs, it’s more aptly named a bank reef. Florida also has patch reefs which are typically small and grow between the reef tract and the land in shallower waters. Reefs serve many purposes Coral reefs help to prevent loss of human life, property damage, and land erosion by providing buffers for shorelines against waves, storms, and floods. The absence of this reef system would mean that damage to coastal communities from violent wave action or storms would be far more severe. The biodiversity of our reef system is considered key to finding new medicines for the 21st century. Many drugs are now being developed from coral reef animals and plants as possible cures for cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, viruses, and other diseases. Navigational Challenges The coral reefs that line the Keys provide many benefits. But, historically they posed hazards to shipping and early exploration. Currents and offshore geography, including the reef structures, compounded by powerful hurricanes, have caused many ships to founder and wreck. There are an estimated 1,000 July 2016 | unwind 23 REWIND shipwrecks off the Florida Keys. Numerous lighthouses were built along the Keys to warn mariners of shallow water obstacles and potentially treacherous reefs. Some of these historic landmarks are located at American Shoal (five miles south of Sugarloaf Key, built in 1879 and 1880), Alligator Reef (four miles south of Islamorada, built from 1871 to 1873), Carysfort Reef (six miles south of Key Largo, built in 1852), Dry Tortugas (Loggerhead Key, far western end of Dry Tortugas, established in 1858), Sand Key (seven miles southwest of Key West, built in 1852 and 1853), and Sombrero Key (five miles south of Marathon, built in 1857 and 1858). Types of Corals According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), algae, called zooxanthellae, which live corals are classified as animals, in the coral to grow. yet microscopic plants live within Corals form when free-swimming the animal tissues in a symbiotic coral larvae attach to submerged rocks relationship, essentially diverse or other hard surfaces. Many corals organisms that live together for mutual grow best in water temperatures benefit. The coral animals benefit from between 73° and 84° Fahrenheit. the sugars and oxygen that the plants Overall, coral reefs need specific provide through photosynthesis (the conditions to grow process by which a including a solid green plant turns About 7,000 years ago the base, warm water water and carbon Keys reef system we know which is low in dioxide into food came into existence. phosphate and when the plant is nitrogen nutrients. exposed to light) In addition, moderate wave action and the plants gain nutrients from disperses wastes and brings oxygen animal waste and are protected within and plankton to the reef. the coral tissues. Local reefs at one time were Most reef-building corals require dominated by two species of reefsaline (salty) water ranging from 32 building corals - staghorn (Acropora to 42 parts per thousand. The water cervicornis) and elkhorn (Acropora needs to be clear so that adequate light palmata). Both species are fast penetrates it for the photosynthetic Brand New Home Cell: 305-586-7326 Oceanside Estate with five bedrooms, five bathrooms with over five thousand square feet of living space. This modern home features a huge master suite on the top floor with master bath and Jacuzzi-easily accessed by elevator, large Media Room, beautiful porcelain tile throughout and plenty of storage. Outside you will find a Pool, spa, private pier, breath taking Ocean views and so much more. $3,290,000. Office: 305-853-5982 Scan for Listing Details Barbara Eads Realty, Inc. 91770 Overseas Highway Tavernier, FL 33070 that spread in all directions. They can growing, branching corals that protect be orange, lilac, purple, yellow, brown coastal areas and provide valuable or buff. habitat for fish and invertebrates. Unfortunately, an estimated 90-95% of Reef in Danger elkhorn coral has been lost. Unfortunately, natural events and Reefs are also composed of soft human actions are causing rapid corals, resembling strange trees and declines in the world’s reef system. shrubs. that are made up of living Rising ocean polyps. Unlike temperature, stony corals, soft Corals form when freecoastal corals do not swimming coral larvae development, build limestone attach to submerged rocks. polluted runoff and skeletons. rather disease damage they compose or kill coral reefs. Other dangers for a skeleton made of a horn-like coral include ocean acidification which substance called gorgonin. occurs when oceans absorb too much The most common soft corals in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere the Keys are sea fans and sea whips. and rising sea levels caused by melting Sea fans are pale lavender or green sea ice, which makes some reefs too fan-shaped corals. Their fans flutter deep to receive adequate sunlight. in the ocean current like lace curtains. Coral reacts to the stress of higher Sea whips have long feathery branches STORM VICTIM Reefs and storms wreaked havoc and caused many 19th century shipwrecks like this one at French Reef in Key Largo. GOING STAG The endangered staghorn coral, a branching, stony coral, can be restored through plantings such as this. BRANCHING OUT Elkhorn coral provides valuable habitat for fish and invertebrates. WISPY WHIP Soft corals like these sea whips in the Dry Tortugas don't build limestone skeletons. water temperatures by expelling the symbiotic photosynthetic algae responsible for nutrient cycling within the coral. This is called “coral bleaching.” Though corals may bleach, they are still alive and able to survive if stressful conditions subside quickly and they are able to regain their algae. Some coral grow new algae and recover from the bleaching. Others die, causing the disappearance of a vital ocean ecosystem. Most environmental agencies agree that Florida’s coral reefs are succumbing to unprecedented levels of coral disease. Disease moves so quickly that some diseased corals die in as little as two weeks. This is particularly alarming since most corals only grow an average of 1-2 inches per year and it takes decades for the reef to recover from this loss. Building and Offering The Best Modular Homes Throughout the Florida Keys Micheal Martinez (305) 522-1511 [email protected] “Visit Us Online” ISLAND CHARM SPRAWLING SHORELINE Sombrero Beach is one of the longer and more accessible beaches in the Keys. Beach Paradise in the Keys KICKING BACK Sandspur Beach at Bahia Honda State Park is a mile long, just north of the park entrance. park and many amenities. The water gets deeper than at most beaches in the Florida Keys, which is great for strong swimmers but perhaps challenging for youngsters. There are no snack bar or beach-gear rentals, but plenty of covered areas with barbecue grills where cooking food is pretty easy. And the kids will love the playground. DEEP SECLUSION Anne's Beach at MM73 is one that epitomizes Keys style and tranquility. BRING THE FAMILY John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has something for beachgoers of all ages and interests. 26 unwind | July 2016 Key West Truman Waterfront Fort Zachary Taylor, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, is Florida's southernmost state park. It’s popular for its recreation and history; WRITTEN BY Richard Tamborrino The Florida Keys are a unique vacation destination in so many ways. It's an island chain with only one road in and out. It's more than 100 miles long but less than a quarter-mile wide in many areas. One distinction you might not associate with a ribbon of islands is that the beaches in the Keys bear only a faint resemblance to beaches up and down the eastern U.S. seaboard. Sure, there's water, sand and myriad sea life. But because the Keys rest largely on a bed of coral rock, the beaches are generally smaller, not exactly the sprawling sandy coastlines with which many are familiar. Here are our top beaches in the Florida Keys. long Sandspur Beach just north of the park entrance. Calusa Beach is on the bayside of the park between Big Pine Key and Marathon. It's a terrific destination for a picnic or family get-together because it's sheltered, calm, picturesque and has a covered picnic area with lots of parking. Calusa is wonderful for families with young children because the water is calm. Excellent snorkeling opportunities abound because there are so many fish on hand, with a small reef close to shore. Many consider Sandspur Beach one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Florida. The water is also shallow and calm here, perfect for youngsters. Kayak rentals are available in the park and there are picnic areas, public washrooms, lots of bike paths and a snack bar. Bahia Honda State Park Mile Marker 37 It's a beach version of a double-play, featuring two world-class beaches in one—Calusa Beach adjacent to the Bahia Honda Bridge and the beautiful mile- Sombrero Beach Mile Marker 50 in Marathon This beach is longer and more accessible than many other Keys beaches, with ample parking, a terrific PHOTOS BY Emily Pulis & COURTESY OF Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau, Curry Hammock State Park & Founders Park HISTORICAL BACKDROP The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park combines rich history with plenty of shoreline. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park it was a mid-1800s construct to defend the nation's southeastern coastline. It's equipped with bathrooms, a snack bar, picnic areas, barbecue grills and places to rent beach equipment. The beach is also convenient; you can bike there from downtown. If you want a little break from the sand and water or would like a little culture, you can stop at historic Fort Zachary Taylor for a fascinating look at the history of the Keys. Anne's Beach Mile Marker 73 This is a beach that epitomizes Keys style. It's surrounded by mangroves and a secluded boardwalk. There are many private coves and the crowds tend to stay small as parking (two small lots) is somewhat limited. There are several picnic tables, so bring a lunch and a cooler. The setting at Anne’s Beach can be the perfect backdrop for photo enthusiasts. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Mile Marker 102 Pennekamp is a great park experience. It has one of the most accessible beaches in the region and it's a prime spot for snorkeling, especially MARINE ELECTRICAL SERVICES ABYC CERTIFIED Lu nch, Din ner & Fa bulou s Su nsets! Monthly Polynesian Luau & Pig Roast Party 2992 Overseas Hwy. - Marathon, FL - MM48.5 (305) 289-1150 saltservice.net Daily Happy Hour • Sunset Celebration Nightly Entertainment Private Events RECOMMENDED 305-453-5004 • www.snooks.com Key Largo MM 99.8 Southbound Lane Behind Traffic Light I can Assist You... Brenda Alexander, Market AIRBORNE Sea Oats Beach at Curry Hammock State Park is a great destination for parasailing and windsurfing. BEACH CLUB Smathers Beach in Key West is where people-watchers go to take in all the sights. CASTLES IN THE SAND Founders Park at MM 87 has many sand and water activities to entertain visitors. DOUBLE PLAY The ‘other’ beach at Bahia Honda State Park is Calusa Beach, adjacent to the historic bridge. Curry Hammock State Park Mile Marker 56 Secluded Curry Hammock State Park is yet another example of the magnificent Florida Keys parks system and a welcome destination for locals and visitors alike. There are a multitude of activities available including kayaking, fishing and all types of water activities. It's also become a popular locale for parasailing and windsurfing. You can camp and bring your RV to stay the night. Amenities on site are limited, so bring your own supplies. unwind | July 2016 the food and atmosphere are excellent. volleyball and tennis courts, lots of Your canine buddy will love the Higgs room for swimming and snorkeling, Beach Dog Park. It has separate places and a bike path along the beach. Kayak for small and large dogs, and there are and paddleboard rentals are available drinking fountains throughout to keep for those that want to get on the water, your pup hydrated. and chairs and umbrellas for those that Rhonda L. Simonds-Brewer Rest Beach is right next door to Higgs want to relax. GRl, CRS, Broker/Partner Beach and is one of the nicest places to There is a restaurant right on the Your Exclusive Global watch the sunrise in Key West. It has beach, Salute! on the Beach. The Connection In The restaurant's view is impressive,Upper and Keys.a deck where yoga classes are offered FreedivingGear, Gear, Freediving Freediving SpearfishingGear, Gear, Spearfishing Gear, Spearfishing Gear, FreedivingCourses Courses Freediving Freediving Courses 2940 Overseas Highway, 2940 Overseas Highway, 305-393-0513 Marathon, Florida, MM 48.5 Marathon, Florida, MM 48.5 [email protected] 386-235-2713 2940 Overseas Highway, 386-235-2713 [email protected] Florida Showcase Marathon, Florida,Keys MM 48.5 MARKET [email protected] 305-481-5156 ISLAND CHARM KeysIslandSales.com every evening, so you can enjoy the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset as you execute your poses. Rest is also a great spot for snorkeling, and a pretty nice Vacation Rentals surf break. Separating Higgs and Rest LongStreet TermPier. Rentals & Sales Beach is the White The pier Andi Owner/Broker is a perfect spot for aSaylor, stroll, and it is MM 83.2 Old popular withBooks-Magazines-Flyers fishermen, whoHighway come to Business and Greeting Cards Islamorada, Florida 33036 fish off the pier. All Types of Printing Done On Premises using the Latest Technology and 305-664-8808 in House Graphics KeysHolidayRentals.com 305-743-6732 geminiprinting.com 386-235-2713 for beginners. Visitors can take a glassbottom-boat ride out to Molasses Reef, chock full of all types of marine life. The park was the first underwater park in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Pennekamp is not as secluded as some of the other Keys beaches, regularly attracting more than a million visitors a year and making it one of the most popular parks in the Florida State Parks system. Other activities available in the park are canoeing, diving, fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming and wildlife viewing. Campgrounds are available. 28 Broker Associate Florida keys Showcase [email protected] PROP DOC KEY WEST Smathers Beach Key West This beach along South Roosevelt Boulevard has virtually everything you could want on a beach except lifeguards. This is Key West's largest public beach and it's brimming with activity, so if seclusion is your goal, other locales may suit you better. The beach is next to a wide sidewalk packed with bikers, inline skaters and people out for a stroll. On the water you can windsurf, kite surf, kayak or cruise on a personal watercraft. Vendors rent beach chairs, umbrellas and any type of activity equipment you need. There are plenty of bathrooms. Dry Tortugas National Park 70 miles west of Key West You can't exactly pack up the family and just drive out to Dry Tortugas National Park because you can only get there only by a two-hour boat ride (the official partner is the Yankee Freedom ferry) from Key West or via seaplane. The trek on the Yankee Freedom is well worth it, as the waters around the seven islands of the Dry Tortugas are full of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles, shipwrecks, stunning reefs and lovely shoals. Make sure you have an underwater camera on hand to capture the beauty of the sea life you see while snorkeling or scuba diving. Most that make the trip to Dry Tortugas National Park leave amazed at the serenity of drying off on the soft, white sand of a beach you have practically all to yourself. This is a bucket-list activity. Make Buying or Selling in the keys a Success contact Jass realtor Sales associate 10055 overseas Hwy, Marathon 305.304.7508 [email protected] Dreaming of Island Living? Outboard shaftsfor fixed on boat. Searching Luxury or Inboard props repaired up to 60” Casual Keys Living? with dyba-bal & laser technology. I can Assist You... Brenda Alexander, Brokerprop Associate In Water Removal Available 305-481-5156 305-292-0012 KeysIslandSales.com 6003 Peninsular Ave Key West, FL 33040 Special advertiSing Section Founders Park Mile Marker 87 in Islamorada Founders Park is on the bayside in the center of Islamorada and it's by far the closest thing to a selfcontained, multi-use park as there is the Florida Keys. It has a marina, boat ramps, beach, baseball fields, tennis courts, an Olympic-size pool and a dog park. Unique activities also include underwater hockey and pickleball. The beach itself is spacious yet not overwhelming in terms of size or visitors. FreedivingGear, Gear, Freediving Freediving SpearfishingGear, Gear, Spearfishing Gear, Spearfishing Gear, FreedivingCourses Courses Freediving Freediving Courses 2940 Overseas Highway, 2940 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida, MM 48.5 Marathon, Florida, MM 48.5 386-235-2713 2940 Overseas Highway, 386-235-2713 [email protected] Marathon, Florida, MM 48.5 [email protected] 305-743-6732 geminiprinting.com 386-235-2713 [email protected] Higgs Beach Key West This beach on Atlantic Boulevard is the go-to beach when Smathers Beach gets too crowded, but it's also a great choice if you brought your dog on vacation. Higgs is very popular because of the variety of activities you can do there. It has a children's playground, Books-Magazines-Flyers Business and Greeting Cards All Types of Printing Done On Premises using the Latest Technology and in House Graphics BEADS • SUPPLIES TOOLS • LESSONS Make Buying or Selling CUSTOM JEWELRY in the keys a Success contact Jass realtor Sales associate 10055 overseas Hwy, Marathon 305.304.7508 [email protected] SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Special advertiSing Section PROP DOC KEY WEST Outboard shafts fixed on boat. Do Inboard you know someone who is up to 60” props repaired looking to buy or sell their home? with dyba-bal & laser technology. As a Realtor and a General Contractor, I can help. In Water prop Removal Available Brenda Symonds 10055 Overseas Highway 305-292-0012 (305) 394-7882 [email protected] 6003 Peninsular Ave Key West, FL 33040 ESSENTIALS Today’s Fresh Catch: A Brand New Restaurant! Splash Angler & Ale is now open on the docks at Hawks Cay Marina. Believe it or not, we found out opening a great restaurant is a lot like landing a great fish. Sometimes it takes a good while, but boy is it worth it! INTO PEER-TO-PEER BOAT RENTALS We invite you to stop on by for some great food and the coldest draft beer in the lower latitudes. Order off our menu loaded with Florida Keys specialties. Or, bring in your own filets for some great hook and cook options. C alling themselves the Airbnb for boat owners, Boatbound has arrived in the Keys, offering a service that helps boat owners offset the cost of ownership and let more people experience the joys of the water. Boatbound’s listings website lets prescreened captains rent fully insured vessels across the country. It has made huge inroads into South Florida and is now starting to ‘make waves’ in the Keys. Most boats sit idle for extended 30 unwind | July 2016 periods of time, making ownership expensive for the value it provides, which is why boats have even greater potential in this new “sharing economy”. With a few rentals a month, most boats could pay for themselves with little inconvenience to the owner. The priority is making owners confident that their boats won’t be damaged. Through a unique partnership with BoatUS and Geico Insurance, Boatbound has become “the first fully-insured boat rental marketplace.” Rental rates can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a day depending on boat size. The fees include comprehensive insurance coverage up to $2 million plus an extra $1 million liability insurance. That means any size boat is covered for anything from scratches and dings to more serious damage. Their easy online process allows boat owners to set up listings with photos of their boats, descriptions of amenities, engine size, capacity, location, asking price, and availability. You just need to visit boatbound.com to get started. Angler & Ale is a place where families can come together, friends can hang out, and fish stories can definitely be swapped. Our doors are open. The kitchen’s hopping. The taps are flowing. We hope you’ll stop in to check us out real soon. Make your reservation by calling (305) 209-9991 or visiting AnglerandAle.com. WE ARE. Offered at $2,850,000 MARKETING BEYOND THE EXTRAORDINARY 81888 Overseas Highway Islamorada, Florida 33036 305.712.8888 | OceanSIR.com