My office is in Coral Gables and I live in the protected area of the East Everglades called the 8.5 Sq. Mi. Area, which is west of Krome Ave and west of what most Dade County residents consider the boundary of civilization.  Most sound surprised when I tell them where I live, they do not realize the people actually live here!

This drive is a 45 min. drive on an early Sunday morning and easily 1 1-1.5 hour drive in normal traffic.  I gladly make it every single day. The moment I turn off of Krome time and civilization slip away.  The first mile brings a few homes ane rows and rows of crops and planted trees.  There is the bevy of crazy guinea that run around and the same ol local dogs.  Depending on the time, I might have to pass a local farmer on his John Deere to go on home. 

After just a mile I cross over the big canal that really separates us from the rest of the world.  The N31 canal is the Eastern Boundary of the 8.5 Sq. Mi. Area and it this is the ONLY place in Dade that has residents outside of the Canal and the flood protection it provides.  This is REAL Rural natural living out here. 

I pass more horse farms, possibly stop at the rural post box stand at the side of the road to pick up mail (or maybe I am lazy and hope my husband will do so when he follows me home later in the evening...) Another mile and I pass my favorite black shaggy dog, Leo's Farm with his goats, geese and cows and turn the corner to home.

Our street is the final mile.  I cross over the outer seepage canal, which is my reminder that we are not in the "inner envelope" of the protection afforded to the inhabitants of our area with the new canal project.  This means in case of a large rain, our home will face possible high water as we are out of the protection of the canal system.  The only thing protecting us from the watershed is the berm just north  of us.  My road brings more familiar sites, a few more nurseries, wild land and some funny animals.  My neighbors have horses, turkey, peacocks, buffalo, deer, long horned cattle, emu, chickens, and more.  It is crazy, wild and fun.

Our home is separated from the Everglades by only one 5 Ac parcel just to the north of us. 

Home, to me, is one of the most unique, most precious and most enjoyable places I can imagine, not only for Dade County, but for anywhere.

It is amazing to me that this wonderful area is just 25 miles from the hustle and bustle of Miami.  Life stands still here except for the constant and gentle breeze that blow through, here time stands still. We have named our home "Dragonfly Marsh" for the beautiful dragonflies that visit us during the year.  

Janie Coffey
Owner/Broker, GRI, TRC, QSC
cell: 786-252-4970
email: janie@papillonllc.com

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