Big Pine Key, No Name Pub, No Name Key & Key DeerJanuary 24th, 2009 This travellog covers our day trip from Key West to Big Pine Key. We are dry camping on the Navy Base at Trumbo Point in Key West. I am a retired DOD civilian and the Navy allows retired DOD civilians to camp in the Navy facilities as long as there is space available. We are paying $12 a night to dry camp on a grass field along with over 600 other RV's. All I can say is: It is wonderful. We drove the almost 30-miles to Big Pine Key for the day. We had heard about the Flea Market on Big Pine and also wanted to eat at the No Name Pub plus there was an old abandoned "Bat House" on one of the Keys between Key West and Big Pine Key. We didn't find the bat house but we did have fun at the Flea Market which is a big-event on Saturdays for the entire lower Keys. If you are in the area make plans to head by that Flea Market on Saturday morning and bring an appetite. There is good fresh sea food served for a really good price at the concession stand.
No Name Pub on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
After a good time at the flea market we headed to No Name Pub where we got seats at the bar. The place was packed with a long waiting line for seating in the traditional dining area and we were hungry. Thus we took seats at the bar. The No Name Pub is famous, it really is. It is off the beaten path to say the least. It is also hard to find. If you are visiting the Keys the No Name Pub on Big Pine Key should be one of your stops especially if you want to experience some of the real flavor of the Florida Keys. The picture is of Joyce at the bar surrounded by hundreds of signed one dollar bills carefully stapled to the walls and ceiling. Much has been written about the No Name Pub and I certainly will not do it justice but let me give it a try. There is absolutely NOTHING in the name of this place (how is that for a pun?). Big shots are probably amongst the patrons but they ain't big shots in the No Name if you get my drift. People from all walks of life and all parts of the world venture into the No Name Pub looking for the same thing you are. You wonder "what in the world" when you step in the door and gander at the well worn bar. Then your eyes quickly focus on the walls and ceilings covered in crumpled dollar bills, generally several deep. From our perch at the bar we try to get our bearings as waitresses hustle out of the kitchen with mounds of food. One local was harassing a waitresses with a funky hairdo. If only I could remember what he described her hair as looking like --- sadly I didn't get a picture of her "doo". The No Name Pub throws off a vibe that it is a "big-secret" however, it is far from a secret. One thing is for sure, --- it is an adventure to find. The place isn't fancy by any means. The bar and dining area share the same cramped space. It is the decor that makes the place unique. Thousands of dollar bills carefully signed by willing patrons stapled to the walls and ceilings where they hang like crumpled green stalactites. Everyone likes something different but the gourmet pizza is the recommended dish as well as the grouper sandwich which dwarfs the plate and is one of the best deals in the Keys. If you can't get a seat inside grab a pitcher of beer and plop down at one of the picnic tables and try to spot one of the tiny key deer the island is famous for. Chances are one will wander by. If not I will tell you where to see one a little later in this travel log.
No Name Pub on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
The No Name Pub on Big Pine Key is on Watson Boulevard about 2-miles north of US-1 at MM-30.5. We found the No Name Pub by turning north off of US-1 on Key Deer Boulevard. About 2-miles north Watson Boulevard intersected Key Deer Boulevard. We turned right on Watson and found the No Name Pub about 2-miles later. For more info try www.nonamepub.com Or you can Google: No Name Pub Big Pine Key.
Key Deer on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
After dining at No Name Pub we drove around checking out the real estate when we spotted this small key deer in someone's yard. They are a protected species thus get away with almost anything.
Coconut palm tree on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
Beautiful coconuts turning ripe in someone's yard.
Key Deer on No Name Key in the Florida Keys
After leaving No Name Pub we continued on Watson Boulevard across the bridge to No Name Key. That is where the key deer were thick. Joyce took this picture out the window of our Saturn. Key deer are truly small. Dwarfs would better describe them.
Key deer on No Name Key in the Florida Keys
This small buck was munching plants in someone's front yard.
Key deer begging for food on No Name Key in the Florida Keys
When I stopped to take another bucks picture he pranced up to the window and stuck his nose in the window. It is against the law to feed the deer but it is obvious that people do it. You can bet I didn't feed them since I had been reading all the signs warning of a $250 fine for feeding them. I did take the picture though since "taking pictures" did not appear to be against the law.
Giant red leaf crinum lily on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
This bloom is on a giant red leaf crinum lily. They are beautiful to say the least.
Bananas on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
These bananas were growing in someone's yard.
Coconuts on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
Coconuts on a coconut palm.
Banana bloom on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
The flower of the banana plant is sometimes referred to “banana heart” or “banana blossom”. When a banana plant is large enough to bloom and bear fruit that purple-maroon torpedo shaped growth you see in the picture appears out of the top of the stalk. This purple-maroon growth is in layers, called "bracts", which peel up each day revealing the flowers, which appear in groups, called "hands". Each day, after some hours, the bract and the blossoms will fall off. This opening of one of the bracts and exposing flowers is virtually a daily occurrence until all flowers have been exposed.
Banana Bloom on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
Tiny bananas that still have the flower attached.
Banana Bloom Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
You can still see the flowers on the ends of the new bananas. Now you know how the bananas you like form in that beautiful purple heart or blossom.
Orchid tree in bloom Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys
These blooms are on an orchid tree.
Big Pine Key trash, yes coconuts in the yard trash fairly common in the Florida Keys
Coconuts littering the ground.
Travelers palm on display in residential yard in the Florida Keys
A travelers palm showing off outside an establishment dressed in Caribbean colors.
African tulip tree bloom on display in residential yard in the Florida Keys
This bloom was on a large African tulip tree. Trees covered with these bright red/yellow flowers are sights to behold.
Papayas are common fruit trees on Big Pine Key and indeed the entire Florida Keys
Papayas that are NOT ripe.
Click here for more Key West travellogsUntil next time remember how good life is. More Florida AdventuresSome Key West Adventures ** More 2009 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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