And just what is a Matecombe?

Mile 77.5 Lower Matecombe Key

As of December 12, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Steps: 177717
Miles: 75.60

I was unable to find the origin of the word Matecombe so I'm giving myself a homework assignment!

The picture below shows Lignumvitae Key, to which obviously, the virtual walker, not being able to walk on water, can't walk.



Lignumvitae State Botanical Site is accessible only by boat, the island features a hardwood hammock (hammock: a slightly elevated patch of land), along with an early Florida Keys home and a stone wall believed to have been built by Native Americans. A boat runs to the island from Robbie's Marina.

My thanks to Aerials Only, 801 Main St., Wareham, MA 02571 for the picture. They have a number of great pictures at their website!



Lignumvitae is a very hard wood, it is also known as ironwood. It is ideal for making things for underwater use due to self-lubricating properties. Used for ship propeller bushings and bearings, mallets, rollers, casters, small wheels, pulleys, stencil and chisel blocks, handles, and miscellaneous turned items.

There used to be a boat out to Indian Key too, which is situated on the ocean side of Matecombe Key, but a recent hurricane destroyed the pier and dock there.

But the main attraction at Robbie's Marina is feeding the Tarpon! The tourist come from up and down the Keys to feed the Tarpon.



Robbie's Website has some neat Florida Key's Art

Hmmm... I'll have to remember to pick up a T-shirt when I get there.

Feast your eyes on some Tarpon pictures and if you are adventuous, check out the webcam!

Some interesting facts about Tarpon for the tourist:

Tarpon can reach sizes up to 8 feet and can weigh up to 280 pounds.

The life span of tarpon can be in excess of 50 years.

Due to its majestic appearance of size and color, the tarpon is nicknamed "Silver King."

Because of its strength, stamina and fighting ability, the tarpon is one of Florida's premier gamefish.

Speaking of tourist, they have a tree nicknamed for them, the Tourist Tree, officially called the Gumbo-limbo, is a medium sized fast-growing tree, that can attain height of 20-50 feet. Looking at the picture, you can probably figure out where the nickname came from.



I'm not quite to Robbie's yet, so I best get walking.

Long Key, Layton, and the Zane Grey Creek

What do the westerns "Riders of the Purple Sage", "Rangle River", "Cabin Gulch", and "Rangers of the Lone Star" by Zane Grey have to do with the virtual walk?

Well, Zane Grey was an avid fisherman, and the Florida Keys were where he most wanted to go fishing, specifically waters of Long Key, Duck Key, and Grassy Key. He first visited the Middle Keys in 1910 to stay at the posh Long Key Fishing Club built by none other than Henry Flagler, our Railroad man.



This "camp", a luxurious fishing resort which attracted famous and wealthy sportsmen, was located on the Oceanside of Long Key and included thirty some small cottages, a post office and a railroad station, a store and a large several-story wooden hotel or lodge. The accommodations and service were of the highest quality. A tunnel constructed under the roadbed connected the camp with the docks on the bay side. The Club was frequented by politicians Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt, and such wealthy notables as Andrew Mellon and William Hearst.



The Zane Grey Creek flows into the Long Key Bight (the little inlet, cove, or harbor in this picture.)

Grey considered permit to be a delicious dinner catch, and unlike today's fishermen thought bonefish, despite the many bones that gives this fish its popular name, to be a succulent gourmet treat of firm white meat. Other treats which Grey feasted upon at the Long Key Fishing Camp were stone crab, grouper chowder, conch chowder, conch fritters, fresh broiled king mackerel and shrimp. For dessert he enjoyed mango pie, Key Lime pie, and coconut pudding.



Zane Grey's success as a writer lasted more than 30 years. When he died some 27 million copies of his novels and books had been sold. More than five decades later that figure was in excess of 50 million. During his lifetime only the Bible surpassed his books in total sales. Among many of Hollywood's famous actors and actresses who starred in these movies based on Zane's books were John Wayne, Randolph Scott, George Montgomery, Roy Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck, Buster Crabbe, and Tom Mix.



The Long Key Viaduct became the logo for the Florida East Coast Railroad.

Thank You!

I want to thank LadyStyx for suggesting I blog the virtual walk and to express my appreciation for those of you that have supported and encouraged me with my walking efforts.

I have enjoyed walking the past week and few days, thinking about where I would "virtually" be.

As of December 11, 2007 at 9:03 AM

Steps: 158417
Miles: 67.38

I am averaging 7.8 miles day and its been much more enjoyable lately, even if the local weather isn't much fun.

In Loving Memory

My Mom's Parents



My Dad's Mom

Merry Christmas