Do you love tales of island life? Stories of rum runners and duelists and courageous souls who lived large? What about Florida Keys history? If you answered yes to the above, then you'll want to check out the book Hidden History of the Florida Keys, by Island Runaways very own Laura Albritton. Give it as a last minute Christmas gift -- or just treat yourself! Published by The History Press, this is a delightful read! Ten chapters recount Florida Keys history from the 1820s to

If you love the Florida Keys, chances are you've spent time in Islamorada, that collection of small, beautiful islands just south of Key Largo. And if you've come to love the laid-back, small town charms of Islamorada, chances are you've also stopped by Robbie's at least once. For those of you who aren't familiar with this Keys classic, let me make the introductions: Robbie's Marina is an authentic Florida "roadside attraction," a tourist destination that isn't slick, but the

There are folks who think Islamorada is not just a place: it’s a state of mind. They may be right. All the Florida Keys posses their own unique island beauty, yet Islamorada has something special. It gets under your skin. People become Islamorada-fanatics, returning year after year. Or even moving there. (An Islamorada idyll. Photo by Pietro Valocchi, Flickr.) Islamorada isn’t a single isle, but instead a village of islands in the Upper Keys. Their names sound vintage: Tea Ta

Sandy beaches in the Florida Keys aren't a dime a dozen, but in the Key Largo we've discovered a little gem that where locals love t

One of the attractions the Island Runaways didn't want to miss on this latest tropical getaway -- to the fabulous Florida Keys -- was the History of Diving Museum. Located in Islamorada at Mile Marker 83, this 10 year old institution just looked very appealing outside, with its huge sealife murals and diving theme. So, today we stopped by with our junior Island Runaways team member (our 11 year old) to see what the museum was all about. (The entrance to the History of Diving

The Island Runaways have escaped to the Upper Keys many times, but one destination here we've never explored is mysterious Indian Key. Located in the Islamorada Village of Islands, accessible only by boat or kayak, this 11 acre island may look small, but it contains a wealth of Florida Keys history. Today, Indian Key is a state park, and as you'll find if you visit, there are signs throughout the trails giving you a sense of the events that transpired here, some over a centur

Key Largo waits off the southern tip of Florida like a palm-fringed oasis. Surrounded by sea as clear and blue as the Caribbean, this tropical island continues to be a favorite escape for the Island Runaways. Sometimes we snorkel on the reefs; we always make time watch the spectacular sunset over Florida Bay. On one recent island getaway to Key Largo, Zickie and I stopped to explore the Wild Bird Sanctuary, located at 93600 Overseas Highway. (Pelicans, ibises, and seagulls in

Zickie, our daughter, and I have been traveling to Key Largo for years. It’s about as far removed from south Florida’s urban hustle as the moon from the sun. Drive about an hour south from central Miami, a Keys state of mind starts to envelop you. Have you ever visited these islands? If not, let me take a little detour so I can introduce you to them... (Spotting little tropical fish in Key Largo) The Florida Keys are an archipelago of islands that lie off the Florida peninsul

Over the holidays in December, when my Christmas shopping list seems to mysteriously grow, rather than shrink, this Island Runaway starts to feel like she is in a never-ending race. Presents to wrap, stocking stuffers to buy, places to be...the whole point of the holidays themselves seems to get lost. And it's not only during December that life gets so frantic. Once you get to be a "grown up," the to-do list just never seems to disappear. Except...if you're like us, getting o

When you are driving down the Florida Keys to Key West for an island getaway, it’s a tradition to stop along the road for lunch. And a beer. Or a Rum Runner. Or the cold drink of your choice. The idea is not to overindulge (and consequently, drive inebriated). You’re simply looking for some tasty eats, maybe shrimp or a really juicy cheeseburger, and a nice cold Key West Sunset Ale or whatever your pleasure is. The whole point of the stop? To smoothly slide into that Keys fra