The feel of Key West

Key West is one of the most interesting places on earth.  OK let me explain interesting.  I should have said eclectic, hippie, laid back, cool, happy, rockin, beautiful, and fun… 

This is a place where happy hour starts at 7 am but most people don’t bother to get up till around noon.  So the morning happy hour covers those who have not yet gone to bed.  The first time we were in Key West was off a cruise ship and we had a nice long day in port.  We scheduled a walking tour which hit most of the famous tourist spots; Hemmingway’s house with the six toed cats, the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens.  We also ate the mandatory Key Lime Pie and Conch Fritters at Mallory Square.  On this tour was the inspration for our outdoor fireplace.  I took a photo of a fireplace on the tour and saved it for a few years before Keith built this from the photo. 

Also on this first trip to Key West we wanted to take a small bottle of rum back on board our ship and so we went out to find the a bottle store.   The first small liquor shop we came to was the size of a walk-in closet with two ‘interesting’ people inside. (use definition above) I am not sure they actually knew we were there but we were able to find what we were looking for and paid and left with a memory not to be forgotten. 

On our next trip to Key West we decided to just walk around and go to Duval Street to see what it is all about.  We will never have a trip which does not include a walk down Duval as you can see the most ‘interesting’ people.   This trip we also decided to do our first and I think last official ‘Pup Crawl’.   This was a walking pup crawl and we hit 8 or so pups where we each received a drink and a bit of history.  Our guide was very ‘interesting’ and knew a lot of history about the pubs and Key West.  Our very favorite pub was/is the Schooner Wharf Bar.   We have made sure to visit this rather ‘interesting’ place every time we go, it is hidden behind many buildings beside the boat docks, looking just the way it did many years ago.  Their motto is “A last little piece of Old Key West”, and that it is and does not disappoint if you know that is what to expect.   Imagine where the ship captains would hang out after being at sea for months. 

I know we have missed a lot of attractions in Key West and we might find our way to see more of them if we can just get past all the ‘interesting’ people.  We would be happy to return to Key West at any moment and maybe we will even find a beach or go snorkeling their someday.