Key West
1/16/2010 – 1/17/2010
The drive down through the keys on Florida Highway 1 is spectacular. The various colors of blue and green emanating from the Atlantic and Gulf interspersed with tiny keys, beach homes and old railroad bridges simply delight the eye.
Atlantic side
Houses on the Gulf side
Small keys and mangroves in the Gulf
Having never been to Key West before, I admit it held a bit of mystique in my mind. I expected a party town with a laid-back vibe and a cast of odd characters. I was a bit surprised at the size of the town, and the volume of people shopping in big Banana Republics and staying in discreet but well-located Crowne Plazas. We attended the nightly “sunset celebration”, famed for performing cats, oddballs, and an open happy hour on the docks. Sadly, a giant hotel has gone up where much of the celebration used to be, and the performances are dominated by professional-looking fire-eating acrobats. Oddly enough, we also found most of the little drink stands closed, although perhaps that is not a permanent thing. However, for all the “progress” and construction, at its essence Key West remains the same – a come-as-you-are amalgamation of folks trying to live free of too many fetters – clothing included!
The weather was beautiful while we were there, save for a brief rain shower (which flooded the streets in minutes, by the way). We stayed at Leo’s Campground on Stock Island, just over the bridge from Key West, and were able to ride the bus into town. There was a fabulous seafood festival in the park on Saturday with cheap delicious stone crabs, conch fritters and other ocean delights. And of course no visit to Key West is complete without some people watching along Duval Street. Saddle up to a outdoor table, grab a drink and be entertained.
Leo’s Campground – Tent Site #7
Logically, we will now be heading north, having been to the southernmost point in the U.S. and starting out this leg of the trip at Mile 0!
Mile 0
Southernmost point in the U.S.
The drive down through the keys on Florida Highway 1 is spectacular. The various colors of blue and green emanating from the Atlantic and Gulf interspersed with tiny keys, beach homes and old railroad bridges simply delight the eye.
Atlantic side
Houses on the Gulf side
Small keys and mangroves in the Gulf
Having never been to Key West before, I admit it held a bit of mystique in my mind. I expected a party town with a laid-back vibe and a cast of odd characters. I was a bit surprised at the size of the town, and the volume of people shopping in big Banana Republics and staying in discreet but well-located Crowne Plazas. We attended the nightly “sunset celebration”, famed for performing cats, oddballs, and an open happy hour on the docks. Sadly, a giant hotel has gone up where much of the celebration used to be, and the performances are dominated by professional-looking fire-eating acrobats. Oddly enough, we also found most of the little drink stands closed, although perhaps that is not a permanent thing. However, for all the “progress” and construction, at its essence Key West remains the same – a come-as-you-are amalgamation of folks trying to live free of too many fetters – clothing included!
The weather was beautiful while we were there, save for a brief rain shower (which flooded the streets in minutes, by the way). We stayed at Leo’s Campground on Stock Island, just over the bridge from Key West, and were able to ride the bus into town. There was a fabulous seafood festival in the park on Saturday with cheap delicious stone crabs, conch fritters and other ocean delights. And of course no visit to Key West is complete without some people watching along Duval Street. Saddle up to a outdoor table, grab a drink and be entertained.
Leo’s Campground – Tent Site #7
Logically, we will now be heading north, having been to the southernmost point in the U.S. and starting out this leg of the trip at Mile 0!
Mile 0
Southernmost point in the U.S.
As always, jealous. I hope selfishly you'll come to Kentucky, partly because I know your write-up will make us look fab!
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