I Grew Up in the Florida Keys-These Are the Places that Keep Me Coming Back Year After Year

"With over 1,700 islands, 800 keys, and year-round, sunny weather, the Florida Keys are a slice of key lime-flavored heaven. No matter which one you visit, you can't go wrong-but there are certainly things that I return to when I make the trek back today. Growing up, my family owned a home in Islamorada, Florida. I'm not talking about the traditional two-story Floridian stilt houses, but rather a one-bedroom trailer off of mile marker 87.5,"

"It would be wrong to visit the Keys without fishing, and in my opinion, the best island for it is Islamorada, "the sports fishing capital of the world." Hop on a charter at Bud N' Mary's Marina, where you'll have your choice of expeditions and boats. Look in the mangroves for snapper, sift through the low sea grass for a chance to catch tarpon, or troll on the back of your boat for delicious mahi-mahi or swordfish."

Over 1,700 islands and 800 keys with year-round sunny weather define the Florida Keys as a tropical destination. Childhood memories in Islamorada included living in a one-bedroom trailer off mile marker 87.5 with ocean views, sunrise roof-watching, bay-side Adirondack chairs, and fishing culture. Islamorada is highlighted as the world’s sports fishing capital with charters from Bud N' Mary's Marina targeting snapper, tarpon, mahi-mahi, and swordfish; proper trolling follows the Gulf Stream seven to ten miles offshore to reef drop-offs near 300 feet. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park houses a nine-foot 'Christ of the Abyss' statue in Key Largo since 1965.

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