"SOUTHERNMOST POINT" OF THE U.S. 48
Myth Busters, eat your heart out....

Having recently bagged the U.S. 50 southernmost point at South Point on the big island, Hawaii, the U.S. 48 point remained to be had. At the intersection of South and Whitehead Streets in Key West, a formidable black, red, and yellow "Nun Buoy" marks the spot. Depending on when arriving here, you may have to wait your turn to pose with the marker for your album shot. This landmark, dedicated on Sept 10,'83, is probably the most photographed site in Key West. Try getting there early while the tourists are still sleeping off hangovers from late-night bar hopping on Duval Street.

If you go: Traveling the last few miles of US 1, you'll know you've arrived in this historic, quaint town when you pass the Home Depot on the left. Take a big bagful of quarters to feed parking meters (1 quarter = 10 min.). Generally, take plenty of $$$ (credit cards) because you'll be nickeled and dimed to poverty here. Despite a plunging stock market, Key West operates on it's own economy. Obama might want to consider it as a loan source to bail out the rest of the U.S.

Oh, and the Nun Buoy at N243246/W0814750 is not REALLY the southernmost point on this key. That's at N243238/W08148178 to the right of the marker at the dump site on the public-inaccessible Truman Annex Naval Air Station, strategically located to best control illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Anyway, the vandal-proof buoy is pretty neat.

It gets better, geo-extreme purists: Western Dry Rocks off Key West is the southernmost at low tide; nearby Ballast Key, privately owned, is continuously above water. Google these spots.

Note: From the graffiti/bullet-resistant, pseudo marker, go east on South Street to reach more important coordinates N243249/W0814747. Those would be for the Southernmost Beach Cafe and a cold victory (sort of...) drink.