Grey Nomads in USA: Still 'out west'!

We really enjoyed Key West! I know ... we didn't go fishing; or snorkelling, or diving. But we certainly experienced the relaxed and laid-back pace. I guess we have had a bit of practice at ' laid-back' but, as Jimmy Buffett sang "Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude" ... and we got it!

Key West has known the best of times. In 1889 it was America's richest city per capita. It has also known the hardest of times. It declared bankruptcy in the 1930's. It has had its share of conflict, from the Civil War to the Spanish-American War to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Its cast of colourful characters range from Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon and railroad magnate Henry Flagler to President Harry Truman who loved to vacation there. In fact a number of Presidents were visitors. Key West also inspired such acclaimed writers as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost.

A fully narrated trolley tour took us all round the island and helped us get our bearings. Key West has 3 National Historic Landmarks - Fort Taylor, a Civil War-era fort on the southwestern tip of Key West; the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and the USCGC Ingham, the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet.

I guess that the Hemingway House is the most well known and visited landmark. Hemingway lived there with his second wife for approximately 10 years. The House is now home to 40-50 polydactyl (six-toed) cats. Some are descendants of Hemingway's cat Snowball, a white six-toed cat he was given by a ship's captain.

Across the road from the Hemingway House (at 907 Whitehead Street) is a lighthouse. We were told by our tour guide that Hemingway's wife wanted to purchase the Hemingway House because it was so close to the lighthouse - Hemingway would always be able to find his way home!!

All roads lead to Mallory Square where crowds gather for sunset celebrations. For those at home, it is a bit like going to Cable Beach to watch the sun going down ... a bit!

Southernmost Point

Closer to Cuba (90 miles) than it is to Miami (150 miles), the Southernmost Point in the continental United States is marked by a huge red,white,black and yellow buoy.

After the trolley tour we wandered to some of the places that we had passed. We found a Starbucks!! Then we found Sloppy Joe's Bar and the Hog's Breath Saloon, two Key West traditions. A piece of Key Lime Pie for a late lunch. Then back to Chelsea House. Late afternoon we had a glass of wine on our balcony. It reminded us a bit of Venice, Italy.

Our hotel there had a rooftop balcony which we enjoyed.

They are everywhere!!

Tastes as good as it looks!

The architecture is diverse. These grand old homes have been restored and renovated. They look stunning.
The tropical vegetation provides a dramatic back drop.

In the evening we walked back into Duval Street. We had dinner at Mangoes, a very nice restaurant - meal was great. We then went to the historic seaport - still a busy, working marina bordered with restaurants and stores - for the Lighted Boat Parade. A great spectacle!!