KEY WEST

 

For all the attention Key west gets, it is a very small place:  2x4 miles.  On the keys that have towns, some are the same as the Key  such as Key Largo, whose other town is named something different.  The town of Key West takes up the whole island.  The north part of town is the same as Anytown, USA.  The southern half--1x2 miles is where people go to have fun.  We took 1 south.

 

 

Coast road, with construction on the Gulf side.

We found our home for the next two days, 320 Simonton.  The place consists of a big house with rooms to rent, several smaller buildings each with several rooms, and five swimming pools, all connected by this beautiful walkway.  Our room is just inside the gate on the right.  The bike is in the parking lot at the end of the walk and behind a fence.

Our little porch.  Through the window you could see the bed, then the door to the bathroom.  To the left of the door is a connecting hall to the next room, the tv on a chest of drawers, and the closet.  Cosy but all we needed.

Four of the pools are heated.  This is the biggest.  I am facing the courtyard area you see in the next pic.

Main house, courtyard where we have breakfast--fresh fruit, coffee, tea, hard cooked eggs, waffles, bagles.

After cheching in and shedding riding clothes, we walked one block over to Duval St, the heart of the action.  One of the many interesting buildings.

We ate at Fogerty's, one of the places recommended by our B&B. You can see Duane sitting right in front of the porch.  The building is the actual restaurant, but most people sit outside in the courtyard dining area.  The next night we sat whaer the lady in blue and the man in white tee-shirt are sitting.  The bar is Flying Monkey bar is to their right.

Pink cab.  Taxis are one of the ways to get around.  Scooter or bicycle rentals are most popular during the day.  Walking or hiring a bicycle taxi were the popular choises at night.

There were many eye catching signs, buildings and displays.  In this part of town where competition is fierce, one has to be creative. 

Interesting building.  Key West has been inhabited since the 1500's, but most of the "old" buildings date from the early 1900's because hurricanes periodically leveled the town.

Our walk up Duval St. ended in this wharf restaurant on the Gulf.

The restaurant on our right is adjacent to this bar, made famous by their t-shirts.

Walking back down Duval to the first street corner, we hung a right and found the H-D store.

Walking back, we took a pic of this famous Key West watering hole.

Further down is the Methodist Church.

Inside looks almost like the Catholic churches except this church has only one alter.

Poultry have the run of the town.

At the Methodist church we turned left and walked down to the Catholic church complex consisting of school, cathedral, adoration chapel, and nuns' convent.

Side of church with convent and chapel out of sight in right.

Inside the church.

Duane thought this hilarious.  It advertises one of the b&bs.

Front of church.

One of several signs welcoming Jimmy Buffett fans to the annual Meeting Of The Minds starting the day we left (Thurs.)  Sometimes he shows up unexpectedly, most often not.

One of the historical signs scattered around town on a walking tour.

All decked out for Halloween.  Two things we didn't miss here:  semi's (weight limits on the bridges, but adds to the costs of evrything) and Christmas decorations.  One upscale had two Christmas trees, but everyone else was waiting for Halloween.

Another attention getter.  Desserts here were almost as expensive as dinner!

I loved this cake!

After our tour, we walked home for a rest.  At 5pm we once again walked down to Duval St. and went west.  Before we got to the Hog's Breath Saloon we turned left and walked down to Mallory Square for the sunset party.  Every evening people collect here to peruse the wares of the local artists and to enjoy the street performers before watching the sun go down.

Our first street performer.  He had a very funny running patter, and also balanced on a high unicycle while juggling fire batons.  Duane didn't take any pics of me pitching him the pins.  I don't know why.

Directly behind him and after his show, we watched this guy .

After each performance, they pass the hat and try to get people to drop in fives which usually happens if the people are well entertained.  Each of these shows lasts about 20-30 min.

 

Usually there are clouds at sunset so the view ranges from pretty to dramatic.

 

In addition to the jugglers, there were musicians, a tightrope ace, and an escape artist.  The square is crowded with a jovial group, the performers entertaining, the artists have interesting wares, and the sunsets are worth the walk.

We walked back home thoroughly satisfied with our first day on this interesting and eclectic island.  Tomorrow we tour the east end of town.

Louise and Duane