Find Your Place In Paradise!

Sculptures Made of Sand

2009-11-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

On the corner of White Street in Key West, you'll find something very odd: two gossipers sitting in front of a giant head. Of course, it's less odd when you consider that these objects are made completely out of sand and water. The sand sculptures are crafted by hand using any tool you can possibly think of; small brushes, towels, spoons, forks knives, etc. The 6 month project is very conveniently called The Sandbox and is owned and operated by Sand-Isle, LLC, which holds 3 hour workshops to teach the public how to build these beautiful works of art.

The artists who created the giant head were featured on the show Sand Blasters on the Travel Channel and this is the piece that won! The piece is called "Close-Minded, and if you look closely at the photo you can see a zipper across the top of the head, eyes sewn shut, and corks plugging up the ears and nose. The sculpture is so meticulously built, it's hard to believe it's not made of cement! If left alone without touching, the sculptures can last up to 6 months. The sun and wind do the most damage, while rain is simply absorbed into the sand.

Programs offered by Sand Isle are sculpting courses; school workshops; team building events; sculptures on location; and coming soon, a sand sculpting competition for both professionals and amateurs!

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Information obtained from: Southernmost Radio Network and http://www.sandisle.com

30 Fantastic Years

2009-10-01T14:07:00.001-04:00

Fantasy Fest celebrates its 30th birthday this year! Contrary to popular belief, the festival is not just about crazy "Keys" people being...well crazy. It began in 1979 as a way to increase tourism to the Florida Keys at a typically slow time of year. It is just one of the many things that make our Florida Keys paradise special and fun!

Fantasy Fest, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is a 10-day event with a different central theme each year. During the 10 days, there are many (MANY!) ways to get in trouble all over the island of Key West. The bars of Key West host wild theme parties every night of the week. This October, the festival should prove to be a truly creep-tacular event as the theme is "Villains, Vixens, & Vampires".

The best part of Fantasy Fest is getting to dress up in your most outrageous costume! Glitter, feather boas, false eyelashes, colorful makeup, extreme hairdos...nothing is too taboo. And don't feel like you have to spend tons of money to have a great costume. The most creative and original costumes are usually the best, so many people make their own costumes at home. Fantasy Fest is a great way to "let your freak flag fly"!

The event begins Friday, October 23 and while Fantasy Fest is considered to be an adult entertainment event for the first 9 days, the last day (Sunday, November 1) is children's day which will feature costume contests, games, and arts & crafts- all for the kids!

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

2009 Lobster Fest, Key West!

2009-09-02T14:04:00.002-04:00

Lobster lovers of all ages came out to sample this tasty Florida crustacean during the 13th annual Key West Lobster Fest last month. Street vendors from 20 local restaurants cooked up a variety of lobster dishes from appetizers to full entrees. The festival takes place once a year on Key West's infamous Duval Street and celebrates the Florida Keys lobster season that runs from August 6 to March 31. All lobster is caught by Keys lobster fishermen.

Participating restaurant chefs compete for bragging rights in an unofficial lobster cook-off. Live music from local and regional bands enhances the festive nature of the event. In addition to showcasing the delicious Florida lobster and drawing visitors to the Florida Keys, Lobster Fest benefits a scholarship fund for Key West High School students. Come on down and join in the fun next year!

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Up Close And Personal

2009-08-01T14:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, I was really this close! This large, gentle creature was actually seen in a canal on Summerland Key. Manatees swim in warm water areas and need fresh water for survival. They have been known to drink from an unattended water hose in the warm canal waters of neighborhoods in the Florida Keys.

This slow moving creature is actually a decedant of the elephant and hundreds are injured each year by boaters causing their near extinction. Fossil remains of manatee ancestors show they have inhabited Florida for about 45 million years.

It is a rare treat to see one of these beautiful creatures up close and personal. If you see a Manatee in the wild, remember it is illigal to feed or touch them. Just marvel that these beautiful animals have been around a long time and hopefully for a long time to come.

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Information obtained from: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q9xw97cab.0.0.aqtrvncab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seaworld.org%2Finfobooks%2FEndangered%2FesvI.html&id=preview

The Vandenberg Swims with the Fishes

2009-07-01T13:47:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, May 27, 2009, the USS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg was scuttled seven miles off Key West. The ship will now be used as an artificial reef. This will help marine life by creating new underwater habitat where fish populations can thrive.

The event brought many boaters who were eager to see the pre-rigged explosive charges detonate. Then to watch the ship sink into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. My friends and I were among them.

We loaded up our boat with food and headed out to the open water bright and early Wednesday morning. The boat ride out to Key West was amazing. The sky was brilliant-blue and the water was (mostly) smooth.

We were allowed to anchor 1 mile out from the ship. As we waited for the explosive charges to be detonated, we were entertained by the captains on the marine radio playing and talking about what they could see.

Finally, around 10 am, the explosive charges were detonated, the ship was covered in smoke, and then it was gone. In the span of about 2 minutes, the USS Vandenberg was sunk. One of these days I plan to take my dive gear out to visit the ship in its new home.

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Information obtained from: The Key West Weekend Keynoter

Bird's Eye View of Paradise

2009-06-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

I can't wait to go on another Seaplane ride! It's incredible to think that you begin in the water and end up in the air! At first, it is a little unnerving because you're basically sitting out in the open with no enclosure- the plane is completely open. But once you get used to it, you feel like a bird (albeit, a really large bird). You can smell the salty sea air, feel the wind in your face, and see so many fish and snorklers swimming around in the crystal-clear Florida Keys water.

We landed in the water near a coral head and pulled out our snorkel gear that we stored in the floats of the plane. We were mostly looking for good spots to catch lobster (as lobster season is quickly approaching...) and we found a couple of spots we could come back to during season. But we also saw many amazing tropical fish.

When we finished our snorkeling excursion, we took off in the plane again and just as we lifted off the water, we saw a school of porpoise swimming right next to our air/water craft. Apparently, they thought we were one of them!

As we celebrate Memorial Day, we would like to thank and recognize all the men and women of our military who have sacraficed to make our country safe.

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Roughin' It

2009-05-08T12:46:00.014-04:00

One beautiful Saturday afternoon, my friends and I made plans to go to Bahia Honda State Park and relax on the beach. One friend thought it would be a good idea to bring along a tent and some camping gear, just in case we were having too much fun to leave. This plan turned out to be ingenius as we were, in fact, having way too much fun to leave.

We drove over to the campgrounds (our site was directly across from the water) where we grilled food (including s'mores!!), listened to music, told hilarious stories, and laughed all evening long.

In the morning, we awakened early to a stunning sunrise, crystal clear glassy waters and went for an early morning sunrise swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean. The water was perfect! I hadn't been on a camping trip since I was a kid and can't remember ever having this much fun. In our highly technical world, it's easy to forget how much fun you can have sitting around a campfire, enjoying the company of friends, and the beautiful Florida Keys.

Make your island dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net . I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Eat! Eat!

2009-04-14T12:36:00.003-04:00

Plan to make Mangia Mangia Pasta Cafe in Key West. I recommend any kind of pasta dish, since the pasta is homemade and amazingly fresh; the seafood is cooked to perfection; and every dish is made to order.

You have the choice of sitting outdoors in the garden area surrounded by twinkling lights, or the warm, cozy indoors to enjoy beautiful artwork on the walls made of Dade County pine.

Mangia Mangia is located in the heart of Old Town Key West, on the corner of Southard and Margaret- perfect if you want a more private meal away from the festivities of Duval Street.

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

TGIF: Thank Goodness It's Florida!

2009-03-16T12:31:00.002-04:00

For the past 2 months when I awaken and listen to the weather report, it's been all about blizzards and ice and freezing temperatures. I think about the people who have to wake up every morning and shovel their driveways and scrape the ice and snow off of their cars so they can go to work.

So imagine my relief when I look out my window and see the sunny blue sky, people in the neighborhood out walking in shorts, and nothing more than a cooler-than-usual breeze. It is then that I truly appreciate how lucky I am to live here on this beautiful island.

We're not kidding when we say "forever summer". Most locals don't own shoes that aren't flip-flops and some don't even own long pants! Florida Keys weather really is that nice.

Here are a couple of questions for you folks up in the freezing north: When was the last time you sat outside to watch the sun set into the glistening blue ocean? Or took a boat ride to an island to have a fabulous brunch? Or experienced underwater scenery you've only ever seen in photos? Believe me, the photos don't do it justice. Isn't it time you changed all that?

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Little Palm: The REAL Paradise Island

2009-02-14T14:39:00.000-05:00

I want to share with you all possibly the most beautiful and relaxing experiences I've had in the Keys thus far-it was my day at Little Palm Island. Little Palm Island is a resort and spa just off of Little Torch Key that you can only reach by boat or seaplane. My friends and I decided to go for brunch on Sunday, so we hopped aboard the boat on Little Torch Key and took a scenic ride to the island. The boat ride takes about 20-30 minutes, but we hardly noticed because the view of the water from the boat is so breathtakingly beautiful.

A hostess was at the dock to greet us when we arrived and showed us to our table. We elected to sit outdoors so we could enjoy the beautiful tropical landscaping and wildlife that surrounds the island (a Key Deer actually strolled by our table!).

Now on to my favorite part-THE FOOD! Brunch is served "buffet style"- you can eat all you want and everything is all inclusive! There were tables and tables of cold salads, fruits, and shrimp cocktail, as well as bagels, muffins and coffee cakes. There was also an entire menu of hot entres that were made to order. The hot options change periodically, but usually include eggs benedict, french toast, and pancakes, to name only a few.

A mimosa and bloody mary bar was set up inside. The bartender made the classic versions of these cocktails, but he also got creative and made something called a Kir Royale. If you're unfamiliar with this drink, it is made with champagne and raspberries and is unbelievably refreshing!

After we had had enough to eat and drink, we took our time on the island just relaxing and chatting. The boat heads back to Little Torch Key every hour on the hour so there was plenty of time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

I absolutely insist that everyone visiting the Florida Keys experience Little Palm Island, but especially those of you who are locals! You do need reservations and there is a dress code. Visit the Little Palm website for details. This is the ultimate Florida Keys experience!

Island Fortress

2009-01-16T10:06:00.000-05:00

Since moving to the Keys, I've wanted to visit the Dry Tortugas- a group of islands about 70 miles west of Key West. So imagine my excitement when one of my good friends started working on the Yankee Freedom which is one of the ferries that makes trips to Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park.

My day started bright and early. I was at the boat by 7 am to check in and get a seat before the boat departed at 8 am. A buffet-style breakfast with cereal, bagels, fruit, and an assortment of juices was served as people were boarding the boat.

The boat ride takes about 45 minutes so there was plenty of time to decide what I was going to do once I got to the island. I decided to take the tour of the Fort first. I learned all about Dr. Samuel Mudd who was imprisoned at the fort for aiding John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Lincoln. Mudd was eventually pardoned by President Johnson after he helped stop the spread of yellow fever that had broken out at the fort in 1867.

After the tour it was time for a quick lunch back on the boat and then... snorkeling! My goal was to swim all around the fort. I also swam pretty far out and found many beautiful coral heads and tropical fish. The water was warm and clear and it was a great experience!

Live the adventure! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

All Is Calm...All Is Bright

2008-12-18T11:07:00.006-05:00

Hello All!

The other evening, we had the pleasure of dining at Key West hot spot "Roof Top Cafe" near Mallory Square. Just off Duval Street, this restaurant is very quaint and quiet, not to mention the food is amazing! We opted to sit outside on the rooftop where we could view the activities of the Downtown Key West nightlife.

Following our delicious meal, we decided to take a tour of Old Town Key West on the Conch Tour Train to see the historic homes which were beautifully decorated with Holiday lights. At one corner of Old Town, down a small cobblestone street, a boy came out of his house to serenade the guests on the train with Holiday music on his trumpet. Only in Key West!

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

"Want to change your life? Just add water!"

Fantasy Island

2008-11-03T15:54:00.004-05:00

Hey Everyone! Hope you all had a fun and safe Fantasy Fest! For those of you who don't know, Fantasy Fest is a HUGE week-long festival that takes place in Key West at the end of October. The festival is very similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans in that it has parades and bead throwing as well as a multitude of activities and shows and everyone dresses in costume.

A friend of mine and I were invited to participate in a float for the Fantasy Fest parade. Our float was called "The Fair Comes to Key West". We had Clowns, a Lion and Lion Tamer, "Strong Men", many ladies dressed in "little girl" dresses, not to mention two dashing Ring Leaders! We also had a band, a carousel, and a ferris wheel on the float. I had never seen anything like it!

I was assigned a chair on the ferris wheel, which honestly made me a little nervous. Being up that high, going around a ferris wheel while also moving forward on the float was a new concept for me, but it turned out to be more fun than scary once I got used to it. Plus, being up high made it easier to throw beads to people standing on the rooftops of buildings! If you've never been to Fantasy Fest, plan on joining the festivities next year. Don't forget your costume! We'll see you there!

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

"Want to change your life? Just add water!"

Blame it on Robert

2008-10-02T14:04:00.003-04:00

In honor of Halloween coming up at the end of the month, I would like to share a haunting tale of my terrfying Ghost Tour experience in Key West. It begins on a particularly dark Saturday night in the middle of summer. Guests on the tour were to rendezvous in the lobby of the La Concha Hotel-an old stomping ground of Ernest Hemingway's which just happens to be haunted. Hemingway used to visit the hotel to write some of his books and also to spend time with his mistress who later became his wife.

Our tour guide was a tall man with a loud, booming voice. He wore a top hat and cloak, carried a lantern and walked with a cane. He told us that frequently during the tour, local people walking or driving by would make fun of the tour by yelling "BOO!" or making ghostly sounds, and when they do this we should yell back, "You're Doomed!" Later on the tour, our group "doomed" a local man on a bike and he fell off! Coincidence? I think not.

Our guide preceeded to take us through cemeteries and old theaters and churches telling frightening tales of burning orphans and necrophiliacs. When the tour reached Eaton Street, a particularly eerie story was told. It was about a doll named Robert who is thought to be possessed.

Legend has it that Robert was made much the same way a voodoo doll is made. There are many people who claim to have witnessed the strange things Robert does-on his own accord. The guide then passed around a photograph of the doll. It was truly one of the most horrifying sights I have ever seen.

I went home that night and tried to sleep but all I could see was the face of Robert the doll.
Robert now resides at the East Martello Museum on South Roosevelt Boulevard. I encourage you to visit...if you dare.

The Ghost Tour of Key West is a fun activity and tours run at 8 pm and 9 pm every night.

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Un-Fay-zed

2008-09-03T17:04:00.006-04:00

Tropical Storm Fay paid a visit to our island paradise this past month and brought with her some much needed rain. Although some other parts of Florida suffered power outages and flooding the Florida Keys were "unfazed". Some people are concerned about the Florida Keys and hurricanes due to the Keys location between the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. There have been only 3 major hurricanes that have made landfall in the Florida Keys in the last 10 years. We are fortunate here in Florida because the latest weather forecasting technology allows plenty of time to prepare for hurricanes. Unlike many other areas of the United States and the world, where tornados, earthquakes and tsunamis do not give much if any warning. It's a great time to grab a Margarita and catch up on a good book or a great movie.

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you! Read our blog for more Tales from the Tropics!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Embrace your Sense of Adventure!

2008-08-01T14:00:00.010-04:00

Every year at the end of July, visitors from all over travel to the Florida Keys for one similar goal: Catch as many lobsters as you can! Mini Lobster Season brings out the inner competitor in us all.

This year I had the pleasure of diving with an amazing group. The first day we awakened early, got to our spot around 7:30 or 8 am and we had our limit before noon! Mini season is so competitive that the second day our typical spots had been picked over and we had to work much harder. Boats were lined up for miles so close together that you could jump from boat to boat. It makes me feel so victorious to return home scratched and bruised with a cooler-full of hard-earned Florida Keys lobster.

Truly, though, there's nothing like a day out on the water. The water was flat and crystal-clear. The beautiful Florida Keys sunshine shone down upon us through puffy white clouds.

Come join in on the fun and become a staycationer (a vacationer who loves the Keys so much they decide to stay). Call us to find out how! Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

July 4th in the Caribbean

2008-07-05T12:25:00.011-04:00

Summer is officially here! Hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July! My Independence Day began bright and early with a Patriotic Parade in Marathon. I participated in a float to promote Fred Colvard who is running for Monroe County Superintendent of Schools. A group of us rode on the star-studded float and passed out candy to kids and other parade-watchers.
After the parade, it was time to head to the neighbors’ for a cookout because, after all, it’s not the 4th of July without a big, juicy hot dog!
I ended my Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display at the Sugarloaf Key Airport. I always enjoy the fireworks displays no matter how small. For a few moments, the world just seems to stop as the fireworks pop like huge, brilliant-colored stars in the night sky. It is, without a doubt, my favorite part of summer.

Join me next summer for the July 4th in the Caribbean celebration.

Want to change your life, Just add water!

2008-06-30T15:32:00.003-04:00

Mini Season begins at 12:01 am on the last Wednesday in July (this year it's July 30th) and ends at 12:00 am on the last Thursday in July (the 31st). In State and Federal waters the bag limit is 6 lobster per recreational harvester per day. Diving at night for lobster is NOT permitted in Monroe county and the adjacent Federal waters during Mini Season.

Regular Season begins at 12:01 am on August 6th and ends at 12 am on March 31st. Night diving is allowed during regular season. The bag limit for recreational harvesters is 6 lobster.

DON'T FORGET TO MEASURE!

Each harvester is required to have a gauge made for measuring lobster while harvesting in the water.

All lobster must be measured in the water and released unharmed if undersized.

Lobster carapace must be greater than 3 inches.

All recreationally harvested lobster must remain in whole condition while at sea.

Tails may only be separated on land. When the tail is separated it must be greater than 5 1/2 inches.

There are several prohibited areas for recreational harvesting. Please visit the following websites for more information:

www.floridaconservation.org/

http://www.myfwc.com/

http://www.divealive.org/

Pineapple In Paradise

2008-05-12T10:14:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was Mother's Day, and to all you Moms, I hope you had a wonderful day! I spent the day with my family relaxing, and cutting up a fresh, ripe pineapple that they grew in their front yard. The pineapple tasted like pure candy and we ate a few slices as an after dinner treat. There are many delicious recipes you can create using pineapple such as pineapple salsa, and pineapple upside-down cake. You can even cut up pineapple chunks and ham for a homemade "Hawaiian style" pizza!

The Florida Keys is one of the only places in the United States where the climate is good for growing pineapples. In addition to pineapples, many other exotic, tropical fruits flourish in the Florida Keys. Fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and Key limes turn up in many Florida Keys yards.

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Theme Party Friday!

2008-04-29T10:42:00.010-04:00

Friday night at Boondocks has turned into "Theme Party" Friday. Every week for the last 3 weeks, a group of people has come up with a theme of the week, put together a costume, and headed over to the Patio Pig Pickin Party at Boondocks on Ramrod Key.

This past Friday, they got decked out in their island best--and by "island", I mean tribal paint, and spears, with various sea sponges used as head gear, foot coverings, and cuffs. At one point the gang of "natives" attacked the pig that stands by the street to wave at passersby. They carried the pig through the restaurant as if they were going to roast him on a spit.

Boondocks is located at Mile Marker 27.5 on Ramrod Key. The Patio Pig Pickin Party is every Friday from 3-6. Ramrod is a very quiet, primarily residential Key. There are however two restaurants, bar operations, two dive shops, a convenience store and an excellent veterinary hospital. A good portion of the Key consists of wetlands. the boating out of Ramrod is typically 2-1/2 ft. controlling depth to get to open water. Ramrod is said to be named after a Spanish ship wreck from the 19th century.

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

And the Award goes to...

2008-02-18T10:28:00.006-05:00

The Coldwell Banker Schmitt annual Awards Event was held this past weekend at Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key. Agents from all five Coldwell Banker offices here in the Keys (Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys, and Key West) were in attendance to offer congratulations to the outstanding people in the Coldwell Banker Schmitt community. Team Mullins was given the honor of receiving the award for the #1 agents in sales in the #1 real estate office in all 181 offices in the Florida Keys. Way to go Team!

Now, on to the most important part of the event- the food! We were served a duet of fish and beef with fresh steamed vegetables and a twice-baked potato. And the dessert- a cup of smooth crème brulee and chocolate mousse topped with a drizzling of raspberry sauce-was absolutely decadent. After dinner, we were entertained with an electrifying laser light show and dancing.

After dancing the night away, it was time to return to the room-a quaint two-story villa with a screened-in porch overlooking the water. The next day, after a nice, big breakfast at the Hawks Cay restaurant, we headed out to the area where a family was preparing to swim with dolphins. We watched as the dolphins played and swam upside-down and jumped out of the water to play with the children.

Hawks Cay Resort is located in Duck Key at Mile Marker 61. Charter and private aircraft can fly into Marathon Airport which is just 9 miles away. Besides swimming with dolphins, there are many other outdoor activities to enjoy at Hawks Cay. The Hawks Cay marina offers world-renowned fishing, boat and yacht charters, a Jet Ski Island Adventure, and parasailing. The Colgate Offshore Sailing School™ at Hawks Cay provides lessons for life on and off the water.

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a SKYDIVER!

2008-01-26T15:33:00.000-05:00

I was driving down to Key West one especially gorgeous afternoon- sun roof open, shades on, singin’ along to my Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24 cd (a local band here in the Keys)- when all of a sudden I saw this huge, colorful parachute floating down from the clear blue Florida Keys sky! I thought to myself, “If I were into skydiving (yikes!) I would definitely pick a day like today to take the plunge”. A friend of mine did actually come down here one spring to go skydiving after graduation from college. I remember being so nervous—and I wasn’t even jumping! But when he returned safely to land, he was so blown away by the magnificent view of the Keys from the air. He expressed his insane jealousy that I am fortunate enough to live here while other people only dream of it.

SKYDIVE Key West is located at the Sugarloaf Airport in (you guessed it!) Sugarloaf. Locals say that Sugarloaf was named after a now defunct Plantation that grew Sugarloaf pineapples. Sugarloaf Key is located just 17 miles from Key West and boasts a restaurant, motel, marina, a public airstrip and an auto repair shop plus the infamous Bat Tower. In 1929 a Mr. Perky erected a large 50 ft. tower, which he hoped would attract bats which in turn would eat the mosquitoes. The bats never came but the tower still stands. The northern part of the Key has a new elementary school and a church.

Howard Livingston & Mile Marker 24 have the top three best selling CDs at CD Baby under their Trop Rock genre. Visit their website at http://www.milemarker24.com/index.php to buy cds and for more information about the band.

Make your dreams come true! The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. Now is an excellent time to buy property in the Florida Keys! There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at www.PlaceInParadise.com or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add WATER!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-04T14:29:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. There has been some unusual weather here in the Keys in the past week. Temperatures have been in the 60’s. I must admit that living in the Keys has made me quite a “cold wimp”. I’ve been bundling up in my sweatshirts and winter coats—for 60 degree weather! I know I shouldn’t complain, what with the northeastern United States getting slammed with snowstorms and for most of what people would call “winter” I’ve been in t-shirts and shorts.

Other than the temperature, though, we have had some gorgeous days. The skies have been clear and sunny, and the humidity low. And once in a while it’s nice to get the sweatshirts out, drink hot cocoa, and snuggle on the couch with a blanket and a good movie.

The Florida Keys has beautiful weather year-round and many outdoor activities to enjoy. There are also some great deals on homes in the Florida Keys and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

Want to change your life? Just add water!

New Year’s in the Keys

2007-12-31T13:27:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day in the Florida Keys! The sky is bright blue and the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean are as smooth as glass. The temperatures this week have been a gorgeous 70-75 degrees with just enough breeze you can hear the palm fronds blowing in the wind. Today we decided to take a helicopter ride to capture some aerial photographs of our listings and what an amazing flight we had! We departed from Summerland Key Airport located at Mile Marker 25, only 25 miles from Key West. Summerland Key is one of the few islands in the Florida Keys which has its own private airport and airport community. Summerland also boasts one of the deepest, widest canal systems in the Florida Keys and is home to some of the larger vessels in our area.
The Florida Keys in all its wonder is still amazing after all these years living on this island paradise. The aerial view of these small little islands is breathtakingly beautiful and the water so clear you can see straight down to the bottom. From up above you can make out every detail of the rays and schools of fish as they swim effortlessly in the endless ocean. We passed by several groups of divers as they were making their way out by boat to the coral reef for a day of diving and sunbathing in the warm sunshine. We also passed the old wooden boat which takes guest to and from Little Palm Island, a resort hotel which boasts such guests as Sandra Bullock and Johnny Depp. Brightly colored kayaks could be seen for miles and boaters were everywhere enjoying a day of outdoor fun.
It’s a great time to buy in the Florida Keys. We have a lot of beautiful homes at great prices and your little piece of paradise awaits you. Visit our website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/ or drop me a line at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very happy, healthy, prosperous New Year from Team Mullins.

Want to change your life? Just add water!

Conch Tour Train

2007-12-19T15:08:00.000-05:00

Hello All!

The other evening, the Team and I had the pleasure of dining with a colleague of ours at Key West hot spot "Roof Top Cafe" near Mallory Square. Just off Duval Street, this restaurant is very quaint and quiet, not to mention the food is to die for! We opted to sit outside on the rooftop where we could view the activities of the Downtown Key West nightlife.

Following our amazing meal, we decided to take a tour of Old Town Key West on the Conch Tour Train to see the historic homes which were beautifully decorated with Holiday lights. At one corner of Old Town, down a small cobblestone street, a boy came out of his house to serenade the guests on the train with Holiday music on his trumpet. Only in Key West!

Next year, join me on the Conch Train! Prices have never been better in the Florida Keys and we have a variety of homes to suit your every need. Visit my website at http://www.placeinparadise.com/, leave me a comment, or write me at teammullins@bellsouth.net. I would love to hear from you!

"Want to change your life? Just add water!"