When enroute to Key West and the Tropical Inn: cozy bed and breakfast in Key West, you will cross-over the Seven Mile Bridge on U.S. 1. Originally built in 1912, the Seven Mile Bridge was considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World” when it was completed. It connects Knight’s Key, or the city of Marathon in the middle Keys, to Little Duck Key in the lower Keys.

The bridge was initially constructed by Henry Flagler as a railroad line linking Key West to the mainland. Henry Flagler pioneered the first railroads to Florida and is considered to be the father of Miami. When Flagler announced the development of 128 mile Key West extension in 1905, he was particularly interested in opening trade with Latin America and the western U.S. with the construction of the Panama Canal.

The overseas railroad was completed in 1912, one year before Flagler’s death. The bridge was badly damaged in the Labor Day hurricane of 1935. Flagler’s company, the Florida East Coast Railway, sold the bridge to the state of Florida where it was converted into a highway bridge.

After converting to car traffic, the bridge continued to see damage from hurricanes, especially from Hurricane Donna in 1960. The current span was constructed from 1979 to 1982 and is a more modern, sturdy structure. Most of the old bridge still exists and is used by many as a fishing pier.

The bridge is featured in several movies of recent years, most notably True Lies in the early 1990’s starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. An explosion by missile strikes on the old bridge was simulated. Additionally, a scene in 2 Fast 2 Furious was filmed in 2003 along with scenes from License to Kill and Up Close & Personal .

During your stay, the Seven-mile bridge is a beautiful sight for sunsets and a historical treasure. A small, 5-acre island situated between the old and new bridge known as Pigeon Key is currently being restored as a history museum. The island has barracks that housed as many as 400 workers that built the original span. Guided tours are available.

There is a pleasant 2-mile walk from Marathon to Pigeon Key along the original bridge. Each April, the main highway is closed for several hours to host the fun run commemorating the new bridge’s construction, which attracts over 1500 runners.

The Seven-Mile bridge is an indelible part of anyone’s trip to the Keys, unless they arrive by plane or boat! You certainly will not forget it.

Lobster mini-season in the Keys will be here before you know it, July 30 th and 31 st this year. The spiny lobster, or Florida lobster, is a fun catch and a culinary delight like their Maine lobster cousins. The Key West lobster mini-season, created in 1987 to ease the pressure of the first day of the commercial season and attract tourists, is limited and rules change each year.

One new rule in particular for the 2008 Key West lobster mini-season is the ban of snorkeling and diving from the shoreline, specifically within 300 feet of marinas and residential and commercial shorelines. Licensing rules are pretty much the same, a saltwater fishing license with a lobster stamp, which is only $2.00 extra for both residents and non-residents.

Bag limits are different in the Keys than in the rest of Florida. During the mini-season and regular season (8/6-3/31), it is 6 lobsters per day rather than the 12 lobsters allowed in the rest of the state. And, the lobster must have at least a 3-inch carapace, which is the distance from the forward edge of the rostral horns along the middle to the rear of the carapace.

Lobster diving for the Key West mini-season is only allowed in the day time. Always have your dive buoy and flag in the water when you are driving. Safety is key to having a successful lobster outing. The mini-season is extremely busy on the waters around the Keys so you must be careful.

While many people bring their own boats, rentals and charters are available to take you to the best spots.

April is the national poetry month.  To celebrate the art of poetry in Key West, visitors and locals are welcome to the 14th annual poetry festival.  The celebration starts from April 9th - 13th, 2008 on the grounds of the Heritage House Museum, the Robert Frost Cottage, and select Key West venues.  This annual 5 day celebration of poetry is started in 1994 by Jeanne Porter to celebrate Key West as a literary destination.  

This year festival features poetry workshop, haiku readings, haiku contests for school students and adults.  To enter your haiku in the contest: http://www.robertfrostpoetryfestival.com/haiku.html

Monroe county school students can also enter in the competition.  View guidelines here: http://www.robertfrostpoetryfestival.com/student.html

This year featured poets are:

Dr. Michael Wyndham Thomas from England, Charles Trumbull, Lee Gurga, Rosalind Brackenbury, Barry George, Richard Grusin, Cricket Desmarais, Bob Muens, and Catherine Doty.

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For information on lodgings and Key West accommodations, visit the Tropical Inn, Key West Bed & Breakfast