Key West; Fun, quirky, alive, an island paradise
Laura and I had been wanting to see Key West for years. We’d heard all the stories, and you know what photos can do for a place! I’d been there once before, for about 24 hours and in that time, got to walk along Duvall for about two hours before exhaustion (from my week at Dolphin Research Center’s DolphinLab) caught up with me and I returned to my hotel to nap, only to wake to storms, went back to sleep and that was that. So for me, Key West remained a mystery. A promise of what the island would be. Could be.
Those stories…
We were finally able to get to the Florida Keys and Key West at the end of June and I can safely and confidently say, it was everything we had hoped for and more. The stories were true… but so too were many things we hadn’t heard, too was the reality that this is still a wonderful place to visit.
(For more on the Florida Keys and Key West, check out our other articles including lodging, what to do and where to eat.)
So here, through photos to help you along, is a little of what we discovered in Key West. Will we return? You bet. And if all goes well, we’d even love to spend some time living here… Paradise Found… (all photos are copyright Rori Paul, with content owned by the copyright holder)
Our first moments were about driving in (the day before
this photo was taken) and trying to get our bearings.
Thing of it was, there had just been a Tropical Storm (Debby) in
town, so many of the cruise-ship tourists hadn’t descended.
That first day we had what we are told is the rare chance to see town
without all those folks… and we enjoyed it!
This image was taken the second day: can you spot the boat? (Yea, yea, ship)
One of our favorite parts to Key West was the architecture.
From the colors to the style it is a warm and charming place
if you enjoy architecture, but also if you’re looking for a
place that has its own classic style… you’re going to love Key West.
There is an amazing, fun, and confident sense of style and
grace here. Everyone seems to be a character worthy of Hemingway, and
if you’re lucky, you’re going to feel that way as well!
This is an island nation, or as I call it,
Paradise Found,
where the beauty of the seas meet the beauty of the land and combine with the
humor and good will of those living here…
And speaking of Hemingway, you’ve got to stop at his
favorite dive, what was once Sloppy Joe’s and now called
Captain Tony’s where you’ll meet…
This guy… I’m told from a friend that they were digging the area
behind the bar when a storm hit, and once the waters receded
(another friend says Key West floods often) this guy was found…
Guess he couldn’t leave Key West either!
Is there a more universal and known symbol
of Key West than the Conch Train? Even those
who have yet to visit this island oasis know it. Jump aboard for the most in depth and
overall Key Westy introduction to Key West
** We did not take it, but did take photos. We were with
our dog, Jake, so unable to do many things, yet so many things to do…
Such as getting your picture taken at “Southern Most Point.“
On most days you can get right up to it, take a photo (even with
the words) and have something memorable.
On special days you can get as close as you dare,
take a photo and if you time it right, get the explosion
of Mother Nature behind you!
Key West offers up some awesome choices for dining as well.
There is the world famous, Hog’s Breath, or Hard Rock…
Where we chose to eat, for the prices, the atmosphere on the patio where
Jake was allowed, and the food. We didn’t want heavy as we were
still planning to walk, but wanted something good.
And of course, all those classics that you must do,
like visit Hemingway’s home – we could not, with Jake in tow.
But one who wants to see what Papa lived like should make this a stop.
For such a tiny place, this island is steeped in history, art,
culture, and more. And you’re view is as broad or narrow
as your heart, mind and soul.
Where inspiration and passion can come to life
in the most amazing places…
A place where locals and visitors celebrate the day and its
ending with mutual fascination, joy, and hope for tomorrow.
Key West is a place where sunset means a celebration of life,
friends, fun, and what lies beyond the horizon.
Once a gathering of locals who just wanted to hang and enjoy life,
today its a gathering of friends, new and old,
who see beyond today a promise for what can be.
This is only a beginning…
For just as the sunset promises more tomorrow, so too
do I promise more…
More about the Florida Keys and Key West…
Right here, so come back time and again and share it all with us!
