“Things just look a bit weirder in Key West…”
Since we are just 10 minutes north of Key West it only makes sense for us to make several visits into the quirky town made famous by Ernest Hemingway, Jimmy Buffet and others. So our first jaunt had us wander into town to check out our surrounding since we will be here a month or more.
There are three grocery stores here – Publix, Albertsons, and Winn Dixie. Key West is a larger town than we thought but parking in Key West is not an easy task even in the summer (known as the slow season) unless you want to pay a lot to park. Free parking is available but you really have to seek it out. The best free parking we have found so far is along some of the residential streets near Duval. They have on street parking that has spots marked with residential parking, handicapped, or left blank. The blank spots are “free for all” parking so if you can fit into it then you can park there. Make sure not to park in a residents only spot or tickets and hefty towing fees are in your future.
Duval Street is the same as we remembered it with all the touristy shops, expensive restaurants and bars, and interesting people to watch. We wandered around town and found where some of the Key West icons were such as the restaurant Blue Heaven, Mallory Square, and the original Margaritaville. After walking around town for a couple of hours we sauntered over to Higgs Beach.
Higgs beach is a free public beach with coconut palms and Australian pines providing a good deal of shade. You need the shade in Key West during the summer because even the birds are hot and panting… We laid out our beach mat in the sand under an Australian pine and relaxed and 
people watched for a while. There was a Cuban family barbequing under one of the shelters which provided us a lot of humor. As they were carrying on and talking we thought we were in an episode of “I Love Lucy”…
I called this blog Key West take 1 since we will be making many trips into this quirky town to just walk, shop, eat, drink and be merry… I am sure we will have more to share about this laid back town after we visit a few of the happy hours…
Love Key West!!!
ReplyDeleteI was there a number of years ago while on a cruise with my work and I really enjoyed it. If you can I suggest that you do the trolley tour around Key West, I found it to be fun and very informative. Enjoy your time there.
ReplyDeleteKevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Count me in for the original Margaritaville! YUMMMMM!
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed Key West as well on a stop over from a cruise ship about 18 years ago, definitely an interesting place to visit. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteIt has been many years since I was in Key West! I don't think Mike has ever been there. I love your description..."quirky." You guys have fun and enjoy the area!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I love Key West. Some beautiful beachy and Jimmy-Buffet-like shots!
ReplyDeleteNina
If you like to kayak we highly recommend Blue Planet Kayaks. We took a trip with them this winter and really enjoyed it. The guides are excellent and you will learn a lot about what's going on in that deep blue ocean.
ReplyDeleteBoy does this look and sound sweet! Glad you took the chance so I can live vicariously. Just curious....where did the bride see the workamping position ad?
ReplyDeleteSherry
www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
I've had a load of fun walking down memory lane. We included a trip down through the Florida Keys in March 2005. I've posted some photos and a few comments from that trip today.
ReplyDelete