While taking that well deserved vacation at the quaint Key West Bed & Breakfast the Tropical Inn, explore some of the natural wonders of the Keys at the National Wildlife Refuges found within short distances of Key West.

The closest refuge to Key West is a tiny chain of islands west of the city – only accessible by boat, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge contains mostly mangrove swamps and a few sandy beaches. Established in 1908 by President Teddy Roosevelt, the refuge protects nesting areas for endangered sea turtles and wading birds among other things.

Spanning over 200,000 acres of open water and islands to the north of the Overseas Highway from  Key West to Marathon is the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge. It was established in 1938 to serve as a sanctuary for great white herons and 250 species of birds. Known as the “backcountry” to locals and along with Key West NWR, it is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the United States

Farther up the coast in lies the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge near Marathon. Consisting of 9200 acres of hardwood pine forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, fresh and saltwater wetlands and mangroves, this refuge was established in 1957 to help protect the Key Deer, a short deer only found in the Keys. The visitor center for all of the Keys’ wildlife refuges is located here.

Finally, the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge is again farther north in Key Largo and, as you probably guessed, was designated to protect the American crocodile. Adjacent to the Key Largo Hammock State Botanical Site, this area is the largest continous track of hardwood forest remaining in the Keys. However, it is not open to the public.

So while you’re relaxing at the Tropical Inn, get great views and see some of the native wildlife of the Keys. It will be well worth the time.

Well, not quite that bad, but big controversy is brewing over the term “Conch Republic”, a sentimental term coined during Key West’s secession protests toward the U.S. in 1982. That year, the U.S. Border Patrol blockaded the overseas highway that leads to Key West, causing major problems for residents and badly hurting tourism.

Today, the term is used for tourism promotion, drawing visitors to the wide variety of Key West bed & breakfast establishments, attractions and events. 

But major controversy is brewing over the term. Self-proclaimed secretary general of the Conch Republic Peter Anderson claims the term is his intellectual property and has made a good living since 1990 capitalizing on it. He has commented that he will “…go to the wall” to defend his exclusive use of the name.

Well, a Key Largo business group is suing Anderson for the right to use the term for a Conch Republic Days commemoration event to be held in April, the same time a similar event is being held in Key West. Anderson wants 50% of all profits from the event in exchange for use of the term.

“We agree that this is his intellectual property, in Key West,” Key Largo business man Robert DiGeorgio said. “…this is 100 miles up the road in Key Largo. He wants 50 cents out of every dollar we make. That gives us no choice. We either walk away or take on the fight.”

Calls to Anderson seeking comment on the Upper Keys business group’s website launch were not returned before this story appeared in the Key West Citizen.

Regardless of the outcome, the quaint Key West bed & breakfast The Tropical Inn is ready for anything. While there certainly won’t be violent conflict, tempers will surely be flaring among the natives.

“If he wins this case, there will be no Upper Keys Conch Republic celebration,” DiGeorgio said.

A new way of seeing remote spots in the Keys is giving kayaking a run for its money!

Paddle surfing is making its way into the Keys as an alternative, eco-friendly way to explore the mangrove, flats, backcountry or simply cruise the beaches on a calm day.

Working much the way it sounds, a person stands on a 10-12 foot long stand-up surfboard specially designed with fins for stability and padded decks for safety. A canoe-like stroke with a long paddle propels a person along.

The sport dates back to the ancient Polynesians who brought it with them to Hawaii. Throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s, Waikiki surfers used stand-up boards to access better waves farther offshore.

Popularity of paddle surfing waned until it was introduced in California by Laird Hamilton, a well-known surfer. Quickly adopted by other surfers, the sport migrated east where it has been adopted in a more mellow fashion in the Florida Keys.

“Anywhere that is good to kayak is good to paddle down here,” commented Brad Lange, owner of Seven Sports in Islamorada. He points out the numerous kayaking trails that are available to paddle surfers. Paul Menta, owner of the Kitehouse in Key West, started renting stand-up surfboards along with kites and has seen rentals quadruple in the last year.

Paddle surfing is a great way to see many protected areas of the Keys. One distinct advantage it has over kayaking is that you can see more in and out of the water standing up, as opposed to sitting in a kayak. Also, paddle surfing is a great way to get in shape!

Custom stand-up surfboards run anywhere from $1000 to $1500 while a generic, non-custom model is available for around $750. As the sport’s popularity increases, these prices can be expected to come down some.

A highly flexible carbon fiber paddle costs $350, where light weight and flexibility are the big concerns. Lange expects to soon see aluminum and wood paddles selling for around the same price of regular kayak paddles.

However, if you’re just taking a relaxing vacation at the Tropical Inn Bed & Breakfast and want a great way to see out of the way places, rent a stand-up surfboard for around $35 and up. A nice three-hour group tour is available at the Kitehouse for $75.

It’s easy to learn paddle surfing! See remote areas of the Keys you might not be able to otherwise access.