Getting ready for our weekend at Key West. At noon Trevor is picked up by the guy from Enterprise - they go back to the office to sign up the paperwork for a rental car. Trevor has 2 upgrades (a birthday promotion) and he arrives back in a shiny black Chrysler - very comfortable for $9.95 a day weekend special!!
Key West is 125 miles from Homestead on US Highway 1, a 2,390 mile (3,846 km) long highway which follows the eastern coastline of the US. The north end is in Fort Kent, Maine and the southern end is in Key West. It is the longest north-south highway in the US. We travelled on US Hwy 1 when we were in Maine.
The southern most 125 miles of US Hwy 1 is a 2 lane road called the Overseas Highway connecting the string of small islands known as the Florida Keys. It was originally built in the 1930's after the Florida East Coast Railway Overseas Railroad was ruined by a hurricane in 1935. It ends at an intersection in front of Key West's City Hall at mile marker zero.
Highway 1 crosses 42 bridges. Key Largo is the largest island along the way. There is also a 7 mile long bridge between mile markers 40 and 47 which is spectacular!
Driving through Big Pine Key we see some Key Deer which are a protected species. They are much smaller than you usually see white tailed deer; they have little or no fear of humans and roam gardens and streets at will. They easily swim between islands following water sources. Lowered driving speeds are strictly enforced in the area.
We arrive in Key West about 5.30pm and book into Chelsea House Pool & Gardens on Truman Avenue. The hotel looks great and turns out to be quite unique. We have so looked forward to spending a few nights in a hotel - this was different.
Chelsea House, said to have been named after a cat, is an historic Key West hotel centrally located in the Old Town area of Key West. It is 2 blocks from Duval Street; you can walk to all restaurants and attractions.
It includes 2 grand Victorian mansions dating from 1888 to 1906 on 1 acre of tropical gardens.
We were on the third floor, up 42 narrow steps. Our room had a sloping ceiling along one side, which was a challenge; the bathroom was tiny with no level spaces to put things on; the air/conditioner was noisy and when we turned it off and opened the window, we found we were at the front of the hotel on a busy street.
And it was great!! We had a private balcony which overlooked roofs and treetops - just the spot for a glass of wine; a complimentary breakfast each morning and there was free onsite parking. And we walked everywhere!
We set out to explore as soon as we had booked in. Walked to Duval Street and then up one side and back the other. Duval Street named for William Pope Duval the first territorial governor of Florida, is a downtown commercial zoned street which runs north/south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are many famous bars and restaurants situated along it. On certain nights it is a carnival which goes to dawn and beyond. We found a slice of pizza and margaritas at an open street - side bar. Some drinks you just have to drink through a straw! It was a great evening and a good start to the weekend.
Our granddaughter Finlay had her Graduation today, in Perth. She starts high school in 2013. She was presented with a citizenship award by the Premier. Well done Fin! from Nona and Grandad.
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