My Trip to Key West

[F1NZUP]

As a long time Parrot Head it has been on my bucket list to make it to Key West. Well I finally got to go when I was able to stay in Marathon for the week of Christmas. During our stay in Marathon we were able to spend a night in Key West. We drove down early on Wednesday and stayed at the Hyatt Key West and didn’t leave until Thursday evening.

On Wednesday we hit many of the traditional tourist traps on Duval, including Hogs Breath and Capt Tony’s. We saved the best for last and had a late lunch in Margaritaville. It's a typical Margaritaville, but it IS in Key West, which made it that much better.

On Thursday we decided to rent scooters to make it easier to get around, and that was the best decision we made. With the scooters, we started by going to the Southern Most Point, and I have to say, not a lot of room for tourist. Lol. I wasn't willing to wait in line to get my picture there, so I went up and took a picture of it with another family standing in front of it. It beat a blank.

Next we headed to the Lighthouse, where it provides a nice view of the island. And obviously you get a nice view of Hemingway's House, but there was a nice line to get in there as well, so we just took pictures from the outside. After that we went to Caroline's for lunch. Very good food, and good entertainment with all of the roosters that run loose down there. My wife took pictures of the first one she saw but then realized that they are everywhere. Pretty funny.

As it started getting late in the afternoon we could see everyone heading to Mallory Square, and not be left out, we headed there as well. What a cool place. The place was packed and there were street performers everywhere. It was really a lot of fun, but the coup de gras obviously was “seeing the sunset for the very first time on Mallory Square.” We got some great pictures.

After that it was time to head back to Marathon. We left plenty of items on our to-do list for the next time we go down, which we are now working on for April. It won’t be another 40 years before I make it back again.

And I have to say driving through the Keys is one of the prettiest drives we have ever taken. I can see why people fall in love with it down there. Also, after being down there, I now understand many more of the references Jimmy makes in his songs about the Keys and Key West, which makes the music just that much more enjoyable, if that’s possible.

Anyway, that’s my Key West story. Thought I would share.

[RIPH]

That's a great story! Thanks for sharing. All fans of Jimmy should make that drive at least once in their lives!!

[dnw]

[jayparrot46]

that a great story i hope to go down there one day my self

[DAB]

That's a great story! Thanks for sharing. All fans of Jimmy should make that drive at least once in their lives!!

I'm with you on that.

[tigzoe]

Glad you had a great time and thank you for sharing. The more times I go to KW, the list of KW Bucket List items gets longer and longer.

[pupnpony]

headed that way again in May -- looking for some sun!

[conched]

It's a mysterious calling harbour...

[LiveandletLiver]

Twenty of us spent a week in Key West almost three years ago. Went in March and it was unseasonably cold that week but we still had a blast. Did the 'Duval Crawl' (more than twice) and saw all of the touristy stuff. We want to go back but my now forced sobriety does put a bit of a pall on any future 'crawling'. Oh well...

[Detroit Finz]

Sounds like you caught the Keys Disease! Better late than never! My wife and I took a trip down there 4 years ago...and have been back every year since. We stay for three days and there are still things we haven't done yet!

[SMLCHNG]

Thanks for sharing!