If you’ve been to Key West before, especially in the cooler months, you’ve probably seen these small green reptiles sunning on a fence post, or maybe even on a car. But they have become quite the nuisance in Key West, tearing up and feasting on gardens and leaving droppings.

“I live it and see it every day,” Mayor Mario Di Gennaro said of their droppings. “It’s very powerful and strong and it’s not healthy.”

With the exploding number of iguanas, the Monroe County Commission passed a resolution which asks the state to “enact regulations governing the possession, distribution or release of iguanas within the state.”

State wildlife officials concede iguanas are not only a problem in Key West but across south Florida. But, they also point out that their numbers are already too high and they’re reproducing faster than the state can control them.

Some counties have already taken action. Palm Beach County listed the green beasts as a “species of concern” and in 2006, Lee County created a special taxing district to raise money to eradicate them. A new state law went into effect July 1^st that allows individuals to humanely kill iguanas. One popular method is to trap and freeze the animal.

So when you’re walking around Key West or the luscious grounds of the Tropical Inn, be on the lookout for these interesting green creatures!

In 2004 and 2005, Emergency Management officials in the Keys and across Florida were put to the test. Several tourist evacuation notices were issued along with an advisory to others to postpone their trips until the storm threat passed. While the Keys were affected by the active 2004/05 seasons a direct landfall never occurred.

 The convenient and quaint Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast has a refund policy in the event of an evacuation order, issuing a voucher for the unused portion of your stay for a future one. If you are unable to even get to the Keys, a voucher is provided in the amount of the required deposit. While the Inn does the best they can, travel insurance is suggested.  Late August and September are some of the best times to visit the Keys though. Room rates are generally a little less since kids are back in school. Many events are also scheduled during that time of year. But, the possibility of tropical weather remains. Proper information and preparation ensures you can make a safe exit from the Keys if necessary.

Construction of the fort, named after the 12^th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, dates back to just after the War of 1812. Only one of three forts in Florida that remained in Union hands during the Civil War, the fort served as headquarters for a blockade squadron that intercepted Confederate supply ships sailing from ports in the Gulf of Mexico.

Over the years, the fort was adapted to the times and was useful in the Spanish-American War. Serving as a strategic defense post for the United States, the fort continued to see a military role through World War II. By the time the fort was decommissioned in 1947, radar and other more sophisticated weapons took the place of artillery.

Guided tours of the fort are available daily at 12 and 2 pm.

Aside from the rich history, the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park offers many of the other leisure activities Key West is known for. You can experience the rich marine life snorkeling off the beach. Or, fishing is allowed on the west side of the park along the shipping channel.

Also, dine at the Cayo Hueso Café. Open daily from 10-5 at the park, they serve up great Key West beach cuisine.

So while you are staying in Key West, plan a visit to the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.

Gas prices around Key West are around 25 cents higher than the closest mainland city, Homestead, Florida.

According to Gasbuddy.com , a member-driven site designed to inform people of prices across the U.S., lists regular self-serve unleaded gas for $4.05/gallon in Key West while stations in Homestead, just across on the Florida mainland, are more around the national average of $3.79/gallon

Filling up for 26 cents less per gallon provides a $6.50 savings for a 25-gallon purchase. That may not seem like much but every little bit helps. And once you’re in Key West, it’s really easy to get around without a car.

The Tropical Inn, Key West Bed & Breakfast’s convenient location on Duval Street allows you to enjoy many of Key West’s attractions without having to fire-up the car engine. Frugality in your car trips during your stay makes it possible for you to fill-up in Homestead while en-route to Key West and not have to buy anymore until your return to the mainland.

Another way to conserve and see Key West is to rent a scooter. Most have small tanks and can get you around all day on only a few bucks. Gas is usually included in the rental price of the scooter anyhow.

So go ahead and fill-up in Homestead on mainland Florida before starting the drive through the keys, and treat yourself with the money you saved or save it to buy more gas when you need it!

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.

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.

Originally from southeast Asia, the key lime traces its introduction through the Middle East to North Africa and on to Sicily. It was brought to the Keys and other tropical paradises via Spanish explorers. The tropical climate of the Keys provided a perfect environment for the lime to grow.

The Key Lime’s scientific name is Citrus aurantifoliabut is also known as the Mexican lime, West Indies lime, or Bartender’s lime. It is 2.5 to 5 centimeters in diameter and is yellow when ripe, but is green when commercially harvested. Today, the key lime is also grown in Texas, California, Mexico, and across Central America.

One identifying feature that separates a key lime tree from other lime trees is that they possess large thorns. The trees need as much sunlight as possible and cannot be exposed to too much cold. The soil in the Keys was perfect for this tree but over time, saltwater intrusion and flooding has caused the frequent problem of salt damage.

The Key Lime pie is one of the more delicious uses for the lime. These pies do not even require baking since the high-acidic content of the lime cooks the pie itself but it is agreed that baking the pie improves taste and texture. Many recipes only require mixing egg yolks, milk, vanilla extract, and key lime juice and then pouring into a graham cracker crust and refrigerating for four hours.

Marinades with key lime juice are also great for chicken, pork, and fish. If you have visited the Keys, you have no doubt experienced the flavor the key lime inspires. Located on or near Duval Street, blocks from the Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast , mainstays such as Sloppy Joe’s and Hog’s Breath Saloon serve up various dishes with key lime that have been traditions for decades in “The Conch Republic”.

A trip to Key West would not be complete without a visit to the Truman Little White House. This historic Key West landmark served as America’s winter White House from the year 1946 to 1952. It was a place for American presidents to work and relax during the threats of the Cold War. Visitors to Key West can tour the Truman Annex in the Little White House. Knowledgeable tour guides introduce visitors to the ‘personal’ side of the Harry S. Truman Presidency, as well as offering a glimpse into the politics of the Cold War and the Naval History of Key West.

After touring the presidential retreat, take a self-guided tour in the botanical garden which is still surrounded by its 1890 original wrought iron fence. With nearly an acre of lush tropical plants, this botanical garden is a joy for plant enthusiasts and visitors. Key West’s tropical weather is very accomodating to plants that, in colder climates, could only survive indoors.

Upcoming events that will run from April to June 2008: Sink the USS Vandenberg, The story of the USS Harry Taylor and USS Vandenberg - soon to become Key West’s new artifical reef.

For more information, visit: http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com