We left the trailer in our camp ground in Ochopee, Florida while we checked out Key West.  This was a killer trip by bike, riding almost 6 hours plus a few stops along the way for lunch, some personal business and resting our butts.  It was really neat to see the Gulf on one side of us and the Pacific on the other side.  The water was such a beautiful aquamarine color.  Many of you have seen that before  but it was Jo’s first time to see tropical waters and she was delighted!.

We stopped for lunch at mile marker 77, at Robbies.  We had a delicious Cuban sandwich and potato salad, washed down with a local beer for Dave and iced tea for Jo.  We could have fed the tarpon but decided we would have opportunity for that later.  It was fun to watch the birds and the people (we are finding that Florida has lots of large birds!)

We arrived in Key West late in the afternoon and checked into the room we had reserved.  The Galleria had 11 separate units and was only a couple of blocks off of Duval Street, which we knew was the hub of activity.  The room was equipped with a small kitchen which we only used to make coffee  (Jo, not Dave) and was very comfy.  Everything was coded… a code to get into the commons area, a door code at our room and another code on bicycles assigned to each room, should we want to use them.  Off street parking was very limited so Dave drove the bike through the gate and parked with the bicycles!  We like the quality, price and location or our room and would recommend it to anyone.

After the long ride, we barely settled into our room and headed out for a refreshment.  The first bar we came across was Viva Saloon where we drank some summery beverages, Key West Lemonade for Dave and a Horny Parrot for Jo.  They were a bit sweeter than we really wanted, but interesting.

 

Mile marker 0 of US Highway 1

Base of a giant kapok tree!

We wandered around Duval Street for a while then headed to Mallory Square.  We wanted to be close to the waterfront for photo ops of the sunset.  There were several performers in the area.  One was a guy on a platform 15 feet in the air, juggling.  The platform was held up by straps around the pole and also around the waist of three audience members.  Wow!  That did not look steady at all!  We also chatted with some of the other bystanders as we waited for the magnificent sunset.  Luckily, we were in the first row of onlookers, behind the wall.

Later we went back to the Hogs Breath.  We shared a meal of Bar-B-Q pigs legs, black beans, rice and mango salsa, another delicious meal.

Chickens roam freely on the island.

We did some browsing in shops as we made our way back to our room.  It was early but we had had a long day.

Just an aside, it may seem like all we do is eat, but that is not true!!!!  Outside of some special trips where we eat out a couple of times a day, we try to check out local fare a couple of times a week.  I like to post these places, in case others are ever in the area and want to try them.

Day 2 started at The Blue Macaw with a Bloody Mary and a fruit plate for breakfast.  We would need nourishment before our busy day.  After eating,  we headed to the Southern-most point in the US.  No one could visit Key West and not see this.

Another highlight of our time in Key West was a visit to Ernest Hemingway’s house.  This is a really unique house in many ways, starting with the 18 inch blocks made from the same limestone as the basement.  (Basements themselves and also limestone are unusual in Florida).  We got to see Hemingway’s 5-toed cats, bred by pirates as good mousers and the urinal turned to fountain in the garden.  Hemingway lost this house to his first wife in their divorce, but she willed it back to him so it was his again later in life.  WHAT?????  🙂

The urinal used as part of this fountain.

A late lunch was at the Schooner, on the water’s edge.  We simply had some blackened shrimp and brew to tide us over before browsing our way back to Duval.  Supper was back at the Blue Macaw.  We spent the evening with a couple who winter in Key West every year, originally from northern Illinois.  After they left and we went to pay our bill, we found out they had paid our bar bill!  Supper was a hotdog from a street vendor, as we made our way back to the Galleria.

The original Sloppy Joe’s that Hemmingway frequented.  Now called Capt. Tony’s.

The second, modern day, Sloppy Joe’s

Our last morning found us back at the Blue Macaw for a shared breakfast.  An interesting character walked right passed our table.  He was dressed in a white, SHEER, body suit (too tight to cover… if you know what I mean), long white gloves, high white boots and angel wings.  Oh my…

Time for the long ride back to our trailer.  We have one day to rest up before moving to a new campground.