Blogs from Key West, Keys, Florida, United States, North America - page 11

You step off the plane, down the steps and onto the tarmac and experience the sweet sensation of mega-humidity. You’re still technically in the States, but any resemblance to the mainland ends the minute you find yourself in a van where the taxi driver rides along with his companion and co-pilot which just happens to be a talking parrot named Mango. Welcome to the Conch Republic, the end of the road, the southernmost point of the continental United States and home to a bunch of folk who were smart enough to realize that what goes on in the rest of the country just isn’t that important to them as they have more on their mind than just a house with a white picket fence in the burbs, two kids, the PTA and bowling night. Welcome to ... read more

If you are headed to Florida or the Florida Keys, and you make it to Key West, there is one boat I love with all my heart...the greatest, most beautiful schooner I have ever seen or sailed on. It is the Schooner Adirondack II. She spends half the year sailing in Newport Rhode Island www.sail-newport.com and the other half sailing in Key West. www.sail-keywest.com She is by far one of the fastest schooners I have ever been on. She is modeled after the pilot schooners of the 1890's...long, lean, plumb bow, light and fast. Walking the docks of Key West, as soon as you lay eyes on her, you will know she is not your average schooner day sailer. The vessel is special and a real treat. She gives you the kind of sailing experience that ... read more

Most of the drive on Thursday, September 17, 2009 was in the rain! Sounds like a broken record, doesn’t it? Again, we chose to take the scenic byways instead of the major highways. We headed East on KY 84 through Sonora and on to Hodgenville where we turned South on US 31E towards Glasgow. KY 90 took us on through a multitude of small villages to Burkesville. We followed KY 61 South until we crossed the state line and it became TN 53 on our way to Smithville. As we continued East and South, we passed through Crossville, Spring City, Sweetwater and Madisonville on the way to Blue Ridge GA. Even though the drive was mostly in the rain, we did see some spectacular views of several cloud-shrouded mountain peaks. Too bad there were very few ... read more

Hello there! So today was another relaxing day for everyone. Todd, Max, and Grandpa woke up early to do a little fishing around the canal. They didn't catch anything worth keeping. By the time I woke up they were already home! The first part of the day consisted of lounging by the pool--what's new?! After a late breakfast, we all decided to drive to Key West and do the whole tourist thing. It took about an hour to get to Key West, but it was well worth it. We took a drive around the island and saw the southernmost point in the continental US, Ernest Hemingway's house, and the Key West lighthouse. Eventually we boarded the Conch Train, a historic tour service that basically gives an hour and a half tour of the entire city. It ... read more

At long last, I am only another week from home! This contract has not been my longest, but it has certainly felt that way! My replacement arrives in another 2 days for our handover, so this is my final cruise on my own. Excellent. Because of the swine flu, our itinerary that would normally take us to Cozumel was changed at the start of the month. I certainly miss going to Cozumel, but the great upside is that our time in Key West is seriously extended with the altered itinerary. A couple weeks ago, when the itinerary was first swapped around, my friend Alycia and I spent a nice long day out around Key West. We did some exploring down by the Harbourwalk and discovered an area that we fell in love with. Today it was ... read more