Busy Exploring Key West.

Our Location today is Sugarloaf Key, Florida.

Last night we did something that we hate doing because it normally affects the quality of our sleep. We set the alarm for 7:00 this morning but when we woke up minutes before the hour we had both slept soundly. What was laughable was we had woke on our own on time but I had forgotten to change the alarms to Daylight Saving Time. 

We were out the door before 8:00 and walking down the road to cross the highway. The reason we did this is because the Key West Transportation System was offering free services today because it was St. Patrick’s Day. The second reason was to encourage the use of mass transit as opposed to the use of individual vehicles. 

We met a couple from Michigan that were staying at the next campground a block up the highway. We got to comparing notes of the different campgrounds and then the weather happening back home. Once the bus had arrived and was whisking us towards Key West we were seeing scenery we’d never seen before. Taking us near the front gate of the Naval Base then near the Coast Guard Station before coming to a stop in front of the Key West Transportation System’s office. 

This is where it got interesting as the driver said his shift was over and our new driver would be right out. A few people that had been to the Keys before decided just to walk to their destination. After ten minutes another young woman had to get to work and called a cab to complete the trip. Finally after twenty minutes the replacement driver came out and drove us down the road. 

Not knowing the bus route when it reached Duval Street a number of people including Kathy and I walked nearly a mile to the most southerly marker. We had thought of taking a photo of each other but there was a line-up of nearly a hundred people already there. We decided to just take a picture of the marker with other people in the shot. The water was hitting the shore and giving most people next to the marker an early morning cold shower. We’re glad we changed our minds. 

Since we’d had breakfast so early we stopped at the Banana Café on Duval Street. It had a French type atmosphere that was comfortable and unique. We both ordered different omelets that were delicious but not filling and reasonably priced. Before leaving we asked for directions to the Ernest Hemmingway home. Again this got interesting because what the name of the street was we both heard was somehow different. The maps we had also did not list its location on it either. 

We walked quite a distance until we were nearly at White Street seeing a number of things including the Convent of Mary Immaculate. It was interesting to learn that as a school it had become a hospital that treated wounded soldiers from the Spanish-American war as well as victims of Yellow Fever. 

Still walking in the direction we’d been told we finally asked someone who appeared to be local. Debbie a retired teacher from Key West informed us we were on the wrong side of town and we had a lot of backtracking to do. Since she was done her business she offered us a ride in her car. As warm and tired as we were getting we accepted. Within five minutes she was dropping us off right at the front gate to Ernest Hemmingway’s Home. We thanked Debbie as we were getting out of her car. Not too many people will help strangers like that   

It took nearly twenty minutes just to get through the front gate and buy our tickets. During that time we started talking to a young couple Ellen and John from upstate New York who were down taking a break from their studies for spring break. They were enjoying drinking the juice from a Coconut that they had bought from a street vendor. 

John and Ellen having fun exploring.

We exchanged information from them as they were staying in a hotel near the beach that we wanted to see. We also told them how we were traveling which also sparked interest for them to consider as a way to travel in a few years down the road. Kathy and I wish Ellen and John a great future and maybe we’ll meet again somewhere down the road. 

Parlor.

Master Bedroom.

Hemmingway's Office above the garage.

After exploring the Hemmingway home Kathy bought a couple of his books before we crossed the street to visit the Key West Lighthouse Museum. Even with the high Humidity and Temperatures Kathy still persisted and slowly climbed all the way to the top of the Lighthouse. You could see most of Key West from the outside viewing platform. 

We did a retake on the Highway 1 Mile 0 marker since we were walking. We stopped for an Ice Cream before walking towards Mallory Square where we walked the docks next to a couple of Cruise Ships that were in port. After looking through more tourist trap stores we were tired of walking and found our way to our bus stop for the trip home. 

There were so many people the bus was running behind and they added a second bus to help with the overflow. It was nearly 8:00 when we got back to the trailer so we drove across the Highway to Mangrove Mama’s and had a great supper that required taking leftovers home for lunch tomorrow. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

What do you do with a green elephant?

Wait until he's ripe.