Key West

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We took the Key West Express Boat from Fort Myers Beach one fine Saturday morning for a two day; one night stand in Key West, the southernmost (and possibly most fun and free) city in the continental US. The boat is a nice alternative to the boring 6+ hour drive along the keys which everyone should do once and we had already endured! On board, we had breakfast, read our books, went topside where the wind was whipping, and otherwise bided our time (about 8:30 - 11:30). We bought tickets for the Conch Train aboard the Express Boat. This was a wise decision. Driver/docent, Gary’s, live narration about local architecture, history, and people of Key West was top notch. We headed for the Schooner Warf and the Schooner Bar for lunch and listened to Michael McCloud’s sunny funny songs about tropical life. Our backpacks were getting heavy even though we packed “light,” so we hailed a pink cab to take us to the Speakeasy Inn, a Bed & Breakfast / “Rum Bar” at 1117 Duval St. This was our first stay at the Speakeasy, ideally located in the “art gallery” section of Duval; but close enough to the livelier and fun, “bar section” of town. We really loved the front porch on Duval Street which elevates people watching to high form art! The photos tell the story. Highlights included the Hemingway House, dinner at the Cuban restaurant El Siboney at 900 Catherine St., just strolling along and enjoying the warmth, the ambience, the architecture, the art and the people. We hit Mallory Square to watch the performers set up which provided its own form of entertainment. We were so lucky that we were the guests of Ballston Lake neighbors in Fort Myers the day before we departed for Key West. We had a great boat ride, a great dinner at Bonita Bills on “this side” of the Fort Myers Beach Bridge, a stroll through “Times Square” where an aerosol artist created amazing paintings and a law school dropout and his wife performed an amazing human disappearing act. We strolled out on the pier where a full moon peaked out from beneath a few clouds. Back to the Key West experience; it was wonderful - one night is just right for us. A word about the boat, it was terrific on the way down; not so great going back. We hit high seas and winds on our way back to Fort Myers, vastly different from the ride down to Key West --- People actually turned green!

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Photos

W&J coming into Key West Harbor on the Key West Express
The boat ride to Key West was fine on Saturday morning - smooth and relaxed. We read, had breakfast, took in the view and got a taste of the very windy upper deck. The return trip on Sunday night was in very rough seas!

Conch Train
We had been to Key West before; but thought the Conch Train would give us a good perspective. The one hour long tour with live narration didn't disappoint!

Key West Architecture
We hit the tour guide jack pot with Gary, our engineer with live narration aboard the Key West Conch Train, his knowledge of the history, architecture and people of Key West and his wry delivery was fantastic.

Porch - Speakeasy B&B & Rum Bar
We enjoyed the "Duval Crawl" from the front porch of the B&B.

Duval Uncorked: Food, Wine & Art Festival
We were unwitting party crashers at this Food, Wine & Art Festival; thinking it was "Art Night." We just strolled along enjoying "art openings" and sipping away; unaware that everyone else had tickets to punch and wrist bands to get into the galleries! I guess if you act like you belong...you do!

Singing for their Supper at La Te Da
We heard this colorfully dressed group of drummers dressed in feathers before we could see them. Key West is nothing if not outrageous!

El Siboney
Someone on the express boat steered us to this Catherine St. restaurant off the beaten track and a nice walk from the B&B. We were told it is where the locals eat. We had the BEST Cuban food! Ropas Viejos, Pork Roast, Yellow Rice, Black Beans and enough sangria to bring back to the B&B and sip on the porch people watching on Duval Street.

Continental Breakfast in The Speakeasy Bar
Cool to have breakfast served in a Rum Bar!

Hemngway House
Bob from Boston was our wonderful docent at Hemingway House. The house is full of photos, paintings and artifacts from this prolific writer's life. He was quite the ladies man and Bob had all the stories. Personal and warmly amusing.

Hemmingway House Cat
The cats have the run of the beautiful house and grounds. The sign next to this comfy feline says "Please stay off the furniture!" Guess the cat can't read.

Two of the 42 Cats at the Hemingway House
Actually, every once is awhile; you could "sniff" out that distinctive "aroma" of cats here where cats rule to do whatever they want; eat whenever they want at 8 "dining rooms" on the grounds, and have their own full time vet on staff. Dogs have owners; cats have staff! They also have great names!

President Truman's Little White House
Many presidents have enjoyed respits at the modest, but very interesting Key West White House; but to President Truman it was often the work place where he got more done without the interruptions and formality of DC. The press called him "Truman the Human!"

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
This Key West museum is fascinating. Everything in it was salvaged from ship wrecks. Mel Fisher put maritime archeology into his projects in an effort to preserve the history --- it wasn't just plunder! The museum also has gripping exhibitry on the slave trade. Very moving!

Mile Market 0
This is the start of US Route 1 - it ends in the state of Maine!

Comments

[Tara]

One of our favorite places to visit - Key West is a lot of fun!

[Kay]

Key West
Our favorite Florida vacation spot---would go there in a minute!