Florida The Last Resort

New additions & improvements

2009-07-07T22:54:00.004-04:00

Recently we have made a number of improvements to the house.

New flatscreen TV in the downstairs Master.
New Dishwasher
New back-up washing machine
New fridge being delivered shortly
Two new aluminum outdoor dining sets on the poolside
Eight new all weather rocking chairs on the beachside porch
Master shower downstairs retiled
New dinner ware, glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils, pots & pans.

We are planning more upgrades to The Last Resort in the coming 6 months.

We hope our guests will enjoy the continuing upgrades to the property, while keeping it's originality.

President Obama to visit Keys

2009-03-31T12:48:00.001-04:00

President Barack Obama will visit the Southernmost City in the spring to announce the lifting of some travel restrictions to Cuba, a newspaper reported Tuesday. The island nation, of course, is just 90 miles away from Key West.

The Washington Times cites as its source retired Maj. Andy Messing Jr. from the Army Special Forces. The Special Forces have a training site on Fleming Key off Key West.

White House spokeswoman Gannet Tseggai said no such trip is planned.

The Key West City Commission passed a resolution last week inviting Obama to visit the Little White House in Key West for the celebration of President Harry Truman's 125th birthday on May 8.

''But President Obama hasn't called, saying, `Hey, I'm coming on down to Key West,''' Commissioner Bill Verge said. "We know nothing about any visit. It's really doubtful.''

Obama's presidential campaign included pledges to lift some travel restrictions to Cuba. The restrictions include who can go, how often and how much money can be spent there. But he did not say he would lift the trade embargo against Cuba anytime soon.

Earlier this month, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council issued a 10-page marketing plan that includes a "Keys plus Cuba" advertising campaign, targeted to visitors to the Keys who are also curious about Cuba; and a "Cuba plus Keys" campaign, targeted to visitors to Cuba who might be interested in a side trip to the Keys.

The TDC would use "highly targeted" media to reach Florida Keys "prime prospects" who are tempted by trips to Cuba. And it would encourage tourists to stay at Keys hotels while taking day trips by ferry or plane to Cuba.

Meanwhile, County Administrator Roman Gastesi has called a communitywide symposium for 9:30 a.m. April 2 at the Marathon Government Center. It's designed not to address tourism, but ramifications on the Keys in the event of a mass migration from Cuba.

Gastesi cites "the recent change in political leadership of Cuba, the [ascension] of Senator Barack Obama to the post of commander in chief ... and the prevailing global economy" as reasons for the discussion.

Cancer relay to be held in Islamorada

2009-03-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

2009 Upper Key's Relay for Life

March 20th & 21st

Each year across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. It is a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we've lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives. This will be an overnight event at Coral Shores High School.

Contact: Kelly Brower, Sponsorship Chair at 305-731-3943 or email fkcsdream@yahoo.com

Great Resource for Backcountry Fishing!

2009-03-15T21:14:00.004-04:00

Everything you ever want is here for Backcountry Fishing in the Florida Keys. From Key Largo to Key West you'll definitely find a Captain that will give you a great day out.

Marathon Sea Food Festival

2009-03-06T11:10:00.001-05:00

Marathon’s fishing heritage takes center stage March 14 and 15 with the 33rd Original Marathon Seafood Festival at Marathon Community Park.

Put on by the local chapter of the Organized Fishermen of Florida and the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, the two-day festival is a celebration of local seafood and the families that catch it.

The festivities run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 14, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 15.

In a nod to today’s economic challenges, organizers have cut the gate fee from $8 to $5. That’s the same price charged in the festival’s inaugural year when it was held on the field where the Publix now stands.

While a lot has changed since then, one festival constant has been the seafood, including fresh and local lobster, stone crab and fish, served up by many of the same families who catch it. No questions here about where the food is coming from or where the money’s going.

Festival-goers have a plethora of seafood options to choose from, including the ubiquitous conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters (no, the conch’s not from the Keys), the leggy golden crab or some Panhandle oysters. And be sure to leave room for a key lime tart or other dessert from the sweet booth.

Proceeds from the festival are split between the chamber and OFF, both of which put much of it back into the community in the form of scholarships and other community-boosting activities.

In addition to the mouth-watering draw of local seafood cooked by local fishermen and their families, both days of this year’s festival are packed with activities for festival-goers of all ages.

Daniel Samess, executive director of the Greater Marathon Area Chamber of Commerce, is particularly enthusiastic about one of this year’s additions — Sunday’s tribute to the U.S. military.

“It’s going to be pretty exciting,” Samess said of the 1 p.m. tribute, which will include a flyover by the Navy. “It’s a first for the seafood festival,” Samess said. “We’re extremely honored.”

Throughout both days, there will be plenty of activities to entertain kids.

“We make sure it’s a real family event,” Samess said.

Adventurous kids will be all over the climbing wall and bungee ride, both of which the chamber’s Charlotte Quinn says are bigger and better than last year.

Proceeds from time in the bounce house will benefit Stand Up for Animals.

Young fishermen can test their casting ability at the Forgotten Soldiers’ booth, competing for prizes and raising money for the group, which sends care packages to U.S. service personnel overseas.

.This is the third year the festival has been held at the Marathon Community Park, after years at the airport.

“We love having it there,” said Samess, who’s in his second year at the chamber’s helm. “It’s probably not quite as big as the airport, but it’s made for events like these.”

Parking will be available at Stanley Switlik Elementary (bayside) and the Guidance Clinic on 41st Street (oceanside). Pigeon Key is providing its van as a parking shuttle, and there will also be some golf carts to ferry people up or across the street.

Check out Keys Sunday for a map of the festival grounds and more about the 33rd Original Marathon Seafood Festival.

Karen Quist

Feeding the Tarpon in the Florida Keys

2009-03-02T21:10:00.004-05:00

One of our favorite things to do with the kids in Islamorada is heading over to Robbie's Marina down by Mile Marker 77 is to feed the HUGE Silver Tarpon right on the docks. The kids absolutely adore it! Robbie's sell the bait fish for a few dollars that cause the tarpon to jump out of the water and creates a feeding frenzy amongst the masses of fish.

In fact I think it's one of the cheapest and most enjoyable activities to do with children. Their faces just 'light up' and squeals of laughter come out as they feed the fish while trying to protect their bait from the only slightly pesky pelicans.

Pretty much anyone of any age can enjoy this activity. There is also a really cute outdoor little market before you go into Robbie's. Of course this is only one of the fun things that can be done at Robbie's. They also have boat rentals, kayak rentals & tours along with fishing charters.

Anyway well worth checking out especially if you have little ones.

Family fun water sports in Islamorada

2009-03-01T21:25:00.010-05:00

Islamorada, a chain of beautiful islands in the Florida Keys is one of the premier vacation destinations in the USA, particularly for those wanting to enjoy a family holiday. A ban on high rise commercial building lends Islamorada to a 'village feel' all too rare now in modern vacation spots.

It also has the enviable title of the 'Sportsfishing Capital of the World' and each year, throughout the year attracts both competitors and those who just want to enjoy a days' fishing in it's beautiful turquoise waters.

Throughout Islamorada in little boutique shops their famous T-Shirt states "Islamorada the little drinking village with a Fishing problem". I'm not too sure about the drinking part, but it's certainly one of the best places in the USA to fish.

Not just limited to fishing, it's also known for it's great dive locations and the personal attention given to divers. It was voted by readers of Rodale, the premier dive magazine, as being their top destination for diving.

Anything and everything to do with water can be expected here and everyone from toddlers to seniors will find a healthy variety of water activities.

The kids love the 'critter gettin', wading to catch crabs, lobstering, kayaking and feeding giant silver Tarpon. For those looking for some action, Islamorada also has private boat rentals, chartered boats for ocean or back country fishing with experienced Captain's that have a few tales under their belts.

Other water activities include, eco-tours, snorkeling, kite boarding & wave running ....and the list goes on. Pretty much anything that can be done either in, on or under water can be done in the beautiful sea & gulf of Islamorada.

Altogether, a stunning vacation destination for family and friends.