We’re on the road again my friends!
Our destination…
Big Pine Key Deer Refuge located in Big Pine Key, Florida. Big Pine Key is located on US 1 Overseas Highway about 30 minutes north of Key West Florida. A town with a population of roughly 5,000 people and lots of nature! We thought it would be the perfect place to take our daughter and her husband for a little r&r. [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Pine_Key,_Florida)
.jpg)Fruit galore!
Homestead Florida was one stop we couldn’t pass up. Fruit stands on every corner! Having spent time in Peru, the kids were eager to enjoy some of their favorite fruits! We stopped a famous fruit stand called "Robert Is Here." The place was packed!Ripe Mammey Sapote…
.jpg)Canistel (yellow) Sapote…
.jpg)And loads of Prickly Pear!
Ripe and ready to eat, @mountainjewel was one happy bird, scooping up the ripe Sapote fruit. They were enjoying the fruit as soon as we hit the road!
.jpg)The ride was long…
but oh so beautiful. With the Atlantic Ocean on our left and the Gulf of Mexico on our right we soaked up the beauty! Big Pine Key!
.jpg)Our first Key Deer!
Can you see him? Standing about 4 feet tall (rack included) he was just as curious as we were!
.jpg)Pine Key…
is the home of the Key Deer. The Pine Key Refuge was established to protect this small endangered deer. Key deer can range from roughly 30 inches to 40 inches in height and weigh between 45-75 pounds. He was so sweet!
.jpg)Deer Run on the Atlantic…
was our spot for the next three days! A cute 4 room B&B right on the Atlantic Ocean. After a quick check in we hit the beach!
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Hurricane Irma damage…
was extensive on the Florida Keys. Beach reclamation has been arduous; replanting native grasses to support the shoreline is a slow process. It took two years to re-open this B&B! Although the vegetation grows quickly many of the homes along this Key still have not been repaired. It was sad to see as we walked along the beach.
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Amazing Sponge baskets…
dotted the shoreline.
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Still others…
just basking in the sunlight, waiting to be taken home!
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Just a few steps away…
Look! Horseshoe Crab! All shapes, sizes and colors. Did you know Horseshoe Crabs are anthropoids, not crustaceans?
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Considered to be Living fossils…
Scientists say they’ve been around over 450 million years! [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoe_crab)
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Nature never disappoints!
It’s been a long day, but our adventure just the beginning! nter>
.jpg)Big Pine Key Deer Refuge is a peaceful tropical oasis. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of big cities it’s a great spot to recharge your batteries! Truly a perfect spot to share @tattoodjay’s @wednesdaywalk. Thanks to @tattoodjay we all gather each week to share a glimpse of our world! I hope you’ll take a moment to step outside today and share it with us! I promise you’ll be glad you did!
Thanks for stopping by!
And as always, blessings to you all!
