The first time I traveled to Key West was in November 2010 for my first Meeting of the Minds (see previous blog posts for more info and stories about MOTM). When Barb, Sharon and I blew into town in Barb's rented red Ford Mustang convertible it was nighttime and we were trying to make our way down Duval to the Hog's Breath. We had one big problem: the closer you got to Front St., the more water you had to drive through. The road was flooded and finding a parking spot was insanity!
The next two days were downright cold by Key West standards. We were thwarted for a couple of nights in our desire to see the famous sunset and participate in the Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square. Finally on what I recall was the third day there, we would have our chance. It was still a bit cool but steadily improving. To find out how that story went, listen to "Drunk on Mallory Square" above. It's a true story! I did follow some chickens there while carrying a rum punch and feeling pretty sauced. I'm still not sure how I managed to work my video camera.
A couple of days later it was bright, sunny and downright gorgeous. Since my compadres were feeling a bit under the weather, I walked down to The Bike Shop on Truman and rented a bicycle. Then I decided to get lost. That's when I discovered the island.
MOTM is a rat race. Any convention or tourist happening is. There is too much to do, too many musicians in town to see, but that's what it's all about. Abbondanza! On this day I escaped the rat race, rode on some back roads, and this is what I found: a community, a spirit and a place of rare beauty once you get off the beaten path.
I rode for a few hours around back streets stopping for fish and chips and Guinness at Shauna Key. Then I traveled down S. Roosevelt past the airport, almost back to the Overseas Highway intersection, then turned around and headed back.
At Higgs Beach I stopped to talk to some folks and caught a rugby game. I'd never seen a rugby game before and it was wild, crazy action. The teams were playing on the beach because the rains from a few days ago had ruined the pitch. It was enjoyable to just kick back and chat and enjoy the game. I had lots of time on my hands and no desire to head back to Duval so I rode over to see the Southernmost monument and visit Ernest Hemingway's Key West home on Whitehead.
The monument was busy as usual. I should have had someone take my photo with it but I guess I just didn't think about it. At the Hemingway Home I paid my for my ticket, locked up my bike and had a little time to explore before tour time. I recommend going on the tour because my tour guide was just great. He pointed things out I wouldn't have known on my own and he was very entertaining. Upstairs on the balcony that runs around the house I was struck by the interesting views, feeling almost like a ghost watching the proceedings. The house has a beautiful, still feeling that's hard to explain. Being an animal lover I enjoyed the fluffy felines everywhere. Finally we stopped by the pool and learned about the famous first pool in Key West.
Finally it was time to meet up with friends and get back to the drinking and debauchery that we were there for. Sometime later I recall a bit of inebriated bike riding down to the Casa Marina for the night's entertainment. Something tells me it was Jimmy and the Parrots.
In any event, of the days from that trip that I cherish most, I'm quite sure this day was the top. Seeing Key West from a more local perspective is eye opening. I highly recommend ditching your car and renting a bicycle, not a scooter. You'll find a heart of an island better when you're not zooming around it at 25mph.
I agree! I do a lot of walking during MotM and try to spend a lot of time walking the side streets and neighborhoods. It's really a small town once you get away from Duval.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to read about my first MotM, you can find it here: http://www.halfaft.com/Floridaze/motmtale.htm
I think your first time in Key West is always your most memorable. %-)
Thanks, Diane! Yes, it was a real eye opener, that's for sure. I think I fell in love.
DeleteVery Nice Dani.......it was cool reading the excitement of you and getting away from the rat race......I do Duval rarely anymore.....next time down, when you're riding the bike, after you ride down the beach road, you'll cross a bridge and come to a light...left would take you down Flagler, on the right, just pass the light is a small tucked away place called Coconut Mallory....we have a time share in there, at the back is a little bar called the Boathouse bar on the water, out of the way, beautiful scenery, and free barbecue on sunday afternoon [ except on holidays] I HIGHLY recommend you stopping in for a beer or 5, no booze there, but a quiet place not many know about, the bar is open to the public so no worries, if Mike the owner is there, tell him Moonshine Doug from Fort Lauderdale said hi, he may know who you're talking about, sweet guy !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Doug. I have only begun to explore the hideaway places and my list is pretty long. The Boathouse Bar sounds like a definite to add to the list. Maybe we can share a few there sometime.
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