Tuesday, December 22, 2020

The Florida Keys' Bahia Honda State Park- where CIA spies unwind

 


     CIA spymaster Corey Pearson gets well-deserved R&R at the Bahia Honda State Park at mile marker 37 in Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys. He walks over the talcum-powdered sand beaches and explores the historic bridge that spans the entire park, learning about the history behind the railway bridge as he hikes on it and underneath it.

     The park is featured often in the MISSION OF VENGEANCE and PENUMBRA DATABASE spy thrillers- it’s a haven where Corey soon forgets about the dangerous encounters of this last assignment as he snorkels in the clear waters, watches the pelicans and gulls flying overhead, and as he takes in the spectacular views from the beach, walkways and bridge. He has his communications Bluetooth micro-receiver stuck in his ear just in case HQ wants him, thanks to the Wi-Fi availability at the gift shop!

     The park is over 500 acres and has an offshore island where he finds the best snorkeling and beachcombing in all of Florida. When hunger hits, Corey strolls into the gift shop and buys munchies at the snack bar, and occasionally rents a kayak or books a snorkeling tour to the fabulous Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.

     The CIA spymaster likes traveling to the Florida Keys; it’s like skipping into a Caribbean wonder-world without the passport… a fake passport in his case.  The US-1 highway unites the keys into a single magical island to him, and as he drives along the coral-reef turquoise waters, enjoying the numerous mangrove marshes offshore, he plays Bob Marley/Jimmy Buffet tunes on the CD.

     He prefers basic camping in a tent, which brings him closer to nature. Bahia Honda’s Sandspur campground is his favorite. As he sits in his lounge chair, sipping a cold beer, he enjoys the Sandspur’s spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean. The sunrises are stunning, and he often strolls down to Sandspur beach to swim with the wild dolphins that glide through each morning. Corey also enjoys the nearby Loggerhead beach and wades along its large, pristine sand bar.  

     One of his favorite things to do is wait until midnight when the wind calms and the ocean is so glassy it mirrors the sky. He takes his kayak out and lets the ocean take him out into the empty vastness.

     Ironically, Corey fell in love with the Florida Keys and Bahia Honda State Park when he was assigned to track Chinese spies in the area. His cover was a nature enthusiast who enjoyed primitive camping up and down the keys. He witnessed his Chinese targets taking photos of the Naval Air Station Key West and the U.S. Army base in Key West. He even shadowed one Chinese spy cell to Mar-a-Lago, which it scrutinized thoroughly.

     Eventually, when he gathered sufficient evidence, the spy cells were gathered up by the FBI and convicted of illegally exporting critical technology- they worked at federal research institutions in Florida, while still on their home countries’ payroll! Corey knew the bust was only the tip of the iceberg, since Florida and the Florida Keys are home to research institutions, defense installations, universities and, yes, even President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.

     You would enjoy getting R&R at Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key, Florida Keys. If you ever pass Mile Marker 37, stop in and enjoy. If it soothes the soul of a stressed-out intelligence officer, it will do so for you, too!

Robert Morton is a member of the Association Of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. Subscribe to his free "Spy Agency Happenings!" newsletter. 

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