Diving the Keys

Me and my dive buddy

Its been a long while since I last donned the BCD and plunged into the great blue, but one can't visit Florida and not take the unique opportunity to get wet in the Atlantic and explore the Florida Keys.

The Keys are a coral cay archipelago on the southernmost tip of the US.  Starting at the Florida peninsula and extending westward to Tortugas, the islands (or Keys) lie along the Florida Straits dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.

Its a wonderful tropical climate in the Keys and the water temperature is like bathwater.  Visibility excellent.  Perfect conditions for diving the reefs and enjoying the marine life!!

For me, diving is like riding a bike - you never forget.  What I do forget is how perfect and peaceful it is down there and how time disappears.

SoBe Cruising

South Beach Miami, or SoBe, conjures many cliches for this Aussie girl.  And once there, some of those ring true.  For example, it really is a place where the eye candy can be pretty interesting!

However, its history is equally if not more interesting.  SoBe is a beachfront neighbourhood of Miami Beach.  It was originally farmland - wouldn't you love that!  Then it was slowly developed as a seaside resort starting in the early 1900s.  In the 30s, an architectural revolution began bringing Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Nautical Moderne architecture to the shores.  SoBe is today known for having the world's largest remaining collection of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architecture. (Napier, NZ, is the other).  In this regard, it really is beautiful.

Some of the buildings are divine and give the area a wonderful old world charm.  Strangely, it kind of felt like the Gold Coast, Queensland, about 30 years ago.  Albeit there are new constructions, and some high-rise, the vast bulk are mid rise and most have wonderful old facades.



Then, with the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the US Army Air Corps took command of the area and  interestingly, that brought tourism!  Today, tourism is one of Miami's largest industries and in June, with the US school holidays on, its is flooded with folk.

The 1960s saw Hollywood come to town with various movies and TV shows being filmed there right through until today, all of which have continued to fuel the imagination and the 'mythical' Miami picture.

It is a great spot for a beach holiday.  There is plenty of shopping and restaurants galore.  But best of all, its within easy distance of the Florida Keys and all they have to offer in terms of water sports and adventure.

Grizzly!!!

I admit it.  I have an irrational fear of bears.  Yep, but I have to say, its only big bears such as grizzlies and black bears.  I have no idea why but I think it may have something to do with watching an old American west film called, strangely enough, “Grizzly”.  I recall being terrified by it.  So it is absolutely true that when in bear country, I become a complete nervous wreck, constantly looking over my shoulder and listening out for that crack of the twig!

Consequently, you will appreciate my recent experience of holidaying in the Canadian Rockies.  While I am a regular visitor to the Rockies, I usually go in the middle of winter when I can pretty safely take a leap of faith in nature and the need for bears to hibernate.

Further, I generally have skis on my feel, which I believe provide me with a speed advantage.  So this trip tested my resolve as its spring and of course, nature’s critters are all happily out there enjoying the sun!

Therefore, in preparation of a close encounter, I did my homework and researched the options for my survival techniques.  I did momentarily contemplate using the generally reliable “throw your husband in front” strategy but decided that our legal affairs were too complicated to efficiently pursue that one.  In the end, go with the experts I say.  

So I was thrilled to obtain official advice from the Rocky Mountain Visitors Guide on what to do.  For your benefit, I thought I would repeat the important bits:

“If you encounter a bear on the trail: stop, stay calm and quiet.  Don’t make any sudden noises and avoid eye contact.  Avoid getting between cubs and mothers….You cannot outrun a bear, so don’t try.  Back away slowly.  Talk to the bear in a calm, but firm, voice.  Keep your bear spray handy….If a bear is charging, have your bear spray ready.  Direct the spray at the animal’s eyes.  Fire at a close range of five to 10 feet as bear spray is not effective over 10 feet.  Step aside and let the bear pass…If a black bear is attacking you, or you are attacked at night by either a black or grizzly bear, consider it a predatory attack and fight back with everything you have.”

Right.  So as I understand it…don’t pick up the cub for a cuddle, have a chat with old mate, wait until its 5 feet from you, spray it directly in the eyes, and then if that fails to have any effect on a 4000 pound killing machine…. die.  That seems reasonably straightforward.  



However, I do have some questions that require clarification:

1. What is the appropriate nature and subject of the conversation one would have with the bear? 
2. When “stepping aside”, how much space should one allow for the bear to “pass” on by?
3. What the hell is bear spray???!!@@##

Because I was unable to obtain sufficient and timely clarification, I decided that while hiking, staying in the middle of a number of other people who can safely provide ‘snack pack’ options for the bear was wise, as was staying in the car while at a substantial distance.  Survival of the fittest I say and I am not afraid to admit it!

All jokes aside though, there is something exhilarating about seeing one of these guys in the wild.  I was blessed to see three black bears and one grizzly on my travels.  All four were pretty happy grazing on dandelions, which these big critters apparently love. 

There is no question that the Canadian Rockies are magnificent and if there is one place everyone should get the chance to see in their lives, its these wilds.  

Winter or spring, it is truly one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular sights.