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Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
Trail Talk
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks
Office of Greenways & Trails
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Welcome to the
December 2011 Edition of Trail Talk!
In This Issue of Trail Talk:
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5th Annual Key Largo to Key West "Pedal"
Cyclists go the distance and take in the sights along the way.
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Key Largo to Key West pedalers celebrate their accomplishment at Key West's famous Southernmost Point bouy marker: Kim Gabel (recumbent bike); (standing, l to r) Linda Spencer; Dottie Moses; Monica Woll; Thea Ulen; Cameron Hintzen
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Continuing a tradition now in its fifth year, six intrepid and enthusiastic cyclists traversed the length of the Florida Keys in the annual Key Largo to Key West (KL2KW) "Pedal" which took place from Nov. 1-3. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) Specialist Monica Woll, facilitated the trip which included Bahia Honda State Park Ranger Linda Spencer, Paradise Pedaler club members Dottie Moses and Kim Gabel, and FKOHT volunteers Thea Ulen and Cameron Hintzen, whose name may seem familiar as the volunteer leader of historic bike trips on Big Pine Key.
As they followed the path of Henry Flagler's famous 1912 train journey through the Keys, the group reflected on the celebrations planned for the upcoming Flagler Centennial and also took the opportunity the trip presented to learn more about the Florida State Parks in the Keys. The trip began at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and included visits to other state parks in the Keys as they traveled south. They camped at Long Key State Park on the first night and took rest stops at both Curry Hammock and Bahia Honda state parks. These hardy cyclists are sure to agree that there's no better way to get to know the Keys' communities than to cycle through them and explore points of interest along the way.
Such a long-distance cycling trip is also very helpful in guiding the experience of visitors who would like to bike along the developing FKOHT. Cheers to all who took the time and energy to accomplish this year's KL2KW trip--well done!
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Volunteer Spotlight
For Pete Frezza, community stewardship involves dedication and attention to details.
In spite of Pete Frezza's busy schedule working full-time as an ecologist for Audubon of Florida in Tavernier and guiding weekend, backcountry fishing trips, he somehow makes the time to volunteer as a good steward of the Keys communities. Pete Frezza has been involved with the monofilament recycling program for about ten years now. The program was initiated by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to help protect marine life from becoming entangled in discarded monofilament fishing line.  Pete has assisted Coral Shores' Marine Sciences teachers for several years in setting up programs for students to collect and recycle monofilament in the Upper Keys. This past summer, Pete spent two days assisting Trail Specialist Monica Woll with a survey and repair of all the monofilament collection bins along the FKOHT. Pete's work is especially efficient as he brings along a well-stocked repair kit and supplies to open and oil the bins for easy access by the volunteers who empty them regularly. The FKOHT is pleased to recognize Pete Frezza for his efforts in accomplishing this valuable "behind-the-scenes" task and for his long-term dedication to this recycling program.
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Be Part of the Keys' Centennial Celebration
~Paddle away from the winter blues with a memorable trip to warmer blue waters~
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Sister Creek, Boot Key. Photo by Paddle Florida
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Paddle Florida staff is busy making preparations for a second annual Keys trip and this one is extra special! From Jan. 12-22, the group will paddle 115 miles from Key Largo to Key West and arrive at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park on the same day that Henry Flagler first arrived in Key West by train in 1912. As Flagler realized his vision to connect the Florida Keys with the U.S. mainland by rail, his dream built a gateway to a paddler's paradise. Don't miss this opportunity to join in the Centennial celebration and reach Key West in time to see the big parade! Registration ends on Dec. 30, 2011. For details and fee information, see PaddleFlorida.
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Paddle-Pedal Event Adds to Keys' Bird Fest Celebration
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Paddlers stopped along the way to clean up a small beach.
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In conjunction with the Florida Keys Birding & Wildlife Festival on Sept. 25, FKOHT Trail Specialist Monica Woll hosted a paddle-pedal event which proved to be a popular attraction. A record number of 15 participants signed on for the three-mile paddle around Little Crawl Key. Among the participants were four mother-daughter pairs and, for several members of the group, this was a first-time kayaking experience.
For the eight-mile pedal along the Grassy Key segment of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, ten cyclists participated. Highlights of the trips included a water snake spotted by the paddlers and the sightings of a peregrine falcon and kingbird on the "pedal" excursion. |
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New Primitive Campsite for Paddling Trail
Paddlers now have access to a new primitive campsite for the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail in Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park at Garden Cove. The campsite, which includes a composting toilet facility, is only accessible from the water or by way of an unpaved bicycling trail that is a spur off the northern terminus of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail at Key Largo. Permission to use the site must be secured by calling the park rangers at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at (305) 451-1202. |
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Cyclists Brave the Rain to Celebrate Greenways and Trails Month
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Good company adds to the fun of exploring and celebrating the beauty of Florida's trails--in any kind of weather!
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Though the day of Oct. 15 brought rain to the area, Monica Woll, Trail Specialist for the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) and Park Ranger Jill Lee, set out from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to lead 13 intrepid cyclists in a Greenways and Trails Month "Pedal" event. The group rode a portion of the FKOHT in a 12-mile-trip from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, where the highlight of the excursion was the recently re-opened, two-mile, unpaved loop trail through the hammock. The group found the loop trail experiencing the effects of the tide and unusually heavy rains, however, everyone was still eager to explore this hidden gem of a resource. Bikes and riders seemed to have even more fun in overcoming the unexpected challenges and no doubt look forward to exploring the Trail again on a sunny day!
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WWOW--A Winning Way to Have Fun on the Water!
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This team of WWOW member kayakers brings a spirit of fun
to a long-term, hands-on learning experience as they paddle
the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
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Some people just know how to make learning fun and what better "classroom" than the sparkling blue waters of the Florida Keys! About 20 years ago, a group of women came together in order to learn boating skills and to enjoy spending time on the water, playfully dubbing themselves as "Wild Women on the Water" (WWOW). Although WWOW club members have focused primarily on power boating, they have always included some kayaking in their monthly trips.
After a kayaking skills class in January, member Pat Rosendale suggested the group tackle the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage (Paddling) Trail, taking it one day-trip at a time each month. A group of about six to eight of WWOW's nearly 100 members started paddling the Trail in February, beginning with a trip from Garden Cove in north Key Largo to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The March day trip embarked from Pennekamp and took the group on to Harry Harris Park in Tavernier. In four more outings, the group traveled the Paddling Trail on through Islamorada-Village of Islands, Tavernier Creek to Founders Park, Founders Park to Upper Matecumbe Key, the Islamorada Library to Indian Key Fill and from Indian Key Fill to Port Antigua at the southern end of Lower Matecumbe Key. As they reach the Lower Keys, the members plan to take overnight trips that will allow them to cover more mileage. By sticking to a schedule of monthly trips, the goal is to finish paddling the 100-plus miles of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail in two years' time.
The WWOW paddlers are sure to enjoy many great days out on the water and we wish them well in reaching their goal! If their story inspires you to form a group to explore the FKOHT through a hands-on learning experience, feel free to share your ideas with FKOHT Trail Specialist Monica Woll at (305) 853-3571.
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Flagler Centennial Celebrations
On Jan. 22, 1912, Henry Morrison Flagler first arrived in Key West by way of his famous "Over-Sea Railroad."
The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail will join the
Florida Keys communities in marking the 100th anniversary of this momentous occasion in 2012. To learn more about Flagler's legacy and Centennial events taking place throughout the Keys, visit FlaglerKeys100.
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Event Calendar
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.
Big Pine Key Historic Bike Ride Meet at the Big Pine Plaza (MM 30), in front of the Key Deer Refuge Visitors Center. The group will view the new FKOHT kiosk and ride along Old State Road 4A to visit the No Name Key ferry terminal and other historic sites, while learning about some of the Keys' pioneer families. The program concludes at the end of the Blue Hole nature trail. Participants may then either ride back to the start on their own or join the group for lunch at the historic "No Name Pub." The event is free; lunch is on your own and optional. Contact Monica Woll, FKOHT office (305) 853-3571; cell (305) 360-0846 or email Monica.Woll@dep.state.fl.us.
Saturday, Dec. 17 Key Largo to Key West Century Bike Ride Leave from Plantation Key and ride to Key West in one day! For more information, call Mark Terrill at (305) 879-0390 or email islamoradasports@aol.com.
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, 7 p.m.
"From Rail to Trail: Flagler Centennial" Presentation Trail Specialist Monica Woll will present a Power Point, "From Rail to Trail: Flagler Centennial," at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Visitors Center as part of the "Delicate Balance of Nature" lecture series.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, 9:30 a.m.
Tavernier Historic Bike Ride Meet at Old Settler's Park in Tavernier (MM 92, Oceanside-next to Sunshine Market). Ride through historic Tavernier and view some of the vintage buildings and homes. Learn about the history of Flagler's railroad in conjunction with the centennial celebration of Henry Flagler's triumphant arrival by train in Key West. This will be an easy three-mile ride, with the option to ride an additional three miles to see a quarry and an old homestead site on Long Point north of Harry Harris Park community. Contact Monica Woll, FKOHT office: (305) 853-3571; cell (305) 360-0846 or email Monica.Woll@dep.state.fl.us.
Jan. 12-22, 2012
Paddle Florida Keys Challenge
Paddle from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West to commemorate the centennial of Flagler's arrival by train in Key West on Jan. 22, 1912. Fully guided trip with campsites, meals and evening entertainment provided. See PaddleFlorida for fee information and details.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, 9 a.m.
Pigeon Key Pedal & Paddle Pedal or paddle out to historic Pigeon Key for the Marathon Flagler Centennial Celebration. For the bike ride meet at 9 a.m. at the north end parking lot by the Seven Mile Bridge and ride two miles across Knight's Key Historic Bridge. For the paddle, meet at the Knight's Key Campground at 9 a.m. for a paddle alongside both the new Seven Mile Bridge and the Knight's Key Historic Bridge out to the island. Enjoy the Family Fun Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring reenactments, demonstrations, period games, music and food. Contact Bill & Mary Burnham to reserve a kayak for the "paddle" or you may bring your own: mary@burnhamguides.com or (305) 240-0650. They will have several kayaks on hand for free use by anyone who wants to try paddling. Contact Riet Steinmetz for the "pedal": Rietttt@aol.com or (305) 289-1887.
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, 9-10:30 a.m.
Historic Flagler Bicycle Tour of Key West Meet at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park to embark on a circumnavigation of this bicycle-friendly island city and learn about the legacy of Henry Flagler, as well as the developing Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. The trip will conclude at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park where the group will join the Paddle Florida participants as they complete their Key Largo to Key West kayaking trip, prior to the Flagler Centennial parade which will begin at 1 p.m. Contact Monica Woll, FKOHT office (305) 853-3571; cell (305) 360-0846 or email Monica.Woll@dep.state.fl.us.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, 9 a.m.
Big Pine Key Historic Bike Ride Meet at the Big Pine Plaza (MM 30), in front of the Key Deer Refuge Visitors Center. (See Dec. 3 calendar listing for details.) Contact Monica Woll, FKOHT office
(305) 853-3571; cell (305) 360-0846 or email Monica.Woll@dep.state.fl.us.
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