Hello
This will be my last blog from Old Key West. Sadly, I have had to move away from Paradise. The main reason is that Key West is geared toward the tourist industry and has no room for people, other than tourists, to come work and live in the history rich city.
The city of Key West is a place where people should want to come and be interested in everything this place has to offer. Unfortunately, Key West has gotten the reputation of being a drinking binge city. Twenty-four hour drinking and carousing. The city has really never been a "family oriented" city, but one used to be able to bring the family for the weekend. Sadly, this is no longer the case.
From Spring Break to New Year's Eve, Key West is leaning toward luring people to come and "Party!". During Fantasy Fest, the hotel rate are so inflated, it is impossible to find a place unless there are five or more in your party to cover the $500 hotel room rate (that's a minimum per night, and I may be exaggerating, but close). People have also decided to venture away from the "Fantasy Zone" to other parts of the Island with only "painted on" attire. This is really not a nice thing to see. I once saw a couple on a scooter going toward Old Towne, he didn't have a shirt on, which is o.k. for a man, but his companion was a woman, who was "wearing" a painted-on halter top, that's right, no "real" halter top, just a painted one and her "jugs" were flapping in the breeze. Sorry, not what I really wanted to see in the middle of the afternoon as school was releasing the children for the day.
I have no regrets about living in Key West. It was part of my "bucket list" so to speak. I just wish I could have lived there a little longer. I was just surviving, not living there. The cost of living was outrageous and it was impossible to live there and NOT work two jobs. I am not a spring chicken anymore and the jobs there, other than the hospital, were service jobs such as bartender, server, dishwasher and such, I am too old to be working so hard just to live in Paradise. The city of Key West will never make it an easy place to live and work. They are only interested in the tourists that come and spend money. They seem to forget that in order to have people come and spend their money, you have to have people to be able to serve them and have a decent place to live.
There are a lot of homeless people that live there, because they cannot afford to rent a place. They live in their cars, if they have one, or live on the beaches or at the parks, which make it uncomfortable for people to enjoy.
I will miss Key West. Mostly the people I have met there. From the hospital to my favorite watering hole, the people were the best part of the city. I will return for a visit sometime. I just have to make sure I have a enough money to go and enjoy the place.
I will write about other parts of Florida that I will visit. I am in Naples at the moment so let's see what is here for people to do. Seems like a nice place so far.
See you soon.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Night Time in the Tropics
Ah, spring time on a tropical island such as Key West is nice. There is a light breeze and the temps are cool at night. Perfect nights to sit out and enjoy the peace.
Of course, you have to use torches and candles made of critronella to keep the bugs at bay, but it works and makes for a lovely evening.
This is a very short blog today, but, as "they" say... "a picture is worth a thousand words."
So enjoy the photo and try to make your own island where ever you are.
Of course, you have to use torches and candles made of critronella to keep the bugs at bay, but it works and makes for a lovely evening.
This is a very short blog today, but, as "they" say... "a picture is worth a thousand words."
So enjoy the photo and try to make your own island where ever you are.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Boulevard Road Work
I have been here for three years April 4. Ninety percent of that time North Roosevelt Blvd has been under construction. This, at times, makes me feel so sad because this is where I want to live, work and possibly retire someday. The local government accepted a bid from a Miami construction company, and allowed them to take longer than normal to complete. If they had taken a local bid, it could have possible been done in less time.
The beauty of that side of the island has been hampered by all of the trucks, backhoes and other things related. They used to keep track of the progress in the local newspaper. That's not done anymore. I guess it will take until NEXT year until the roadwork is completed. Although, the workers DID complete a portion of the road just in time for Fantasy Fest. Imagine that?
Someone came in and bought out five or so of the hotels at the entrance of Key West, we lost somewhere in the neighborhood of 550+ rooms. That counted for a loss of revenue, to some degree. I am not sure how much of a loss, because I don't have the stats but I know it had to be substantial because there were not near as many tourists on this island from October through New Years Eve. Being the first part of March, there are not near as many spring breakers here either.
My favorite time of the year is June through September. It is hotter than a well digger's butt but it is quieter because there are not so many tourist other than the visitors of the residents. The best time to travel around town is after 10 p.m. Everyone is usually at home by then or working night shift. That is the best time to go grocery shopping. The "Blvd" is not near as crowded and no one is working on the road at time of the night, unless it is in a specific part of the road.
Of course, Duval St. is busy, at least on the weekends. I've been down on Duval around 11 p.m. during the week and the bars and restaurants are closed or closing. Lights go out and it is so eerily quiet, somewhat peaceful. That is the time to travel by bicycle, there are not many cars on the road to run you over.
With all that said, I'll stay here for as long as I can or until "they" either force me to move, the island gets a direct hit from a hurricane, or the island sinks. In any case, I won't need to worry. I love Key West and I have always wanted to come here and live. Even with all of the idiosyncrasies of this place, it is home to me, now.
The beauty of that side of the island has been hampered by all of the trucks, backhoes and other things related. They used to keep track of the progress in the local newspaper. That's not done anymore. I guess it will take until NEXT year until the roadwork is completed. Although, the workers DID complete a portion of the road just in time for Fantasy Fest. Imagine that?
Someone came in and bought out five or so of the hotels at the entrance of Key West, we lost somewhere in the neighborhood of 550+ rooms. That counted for a loss of revenue, to some degree. I am not sure how much of a loss, because I don't have the stats but I know it had to be substantial because there were not near as many tourists on this island from October through New Years Eve. Being the first part of March, there are not near as many spring breakers here either.
My favorite time of the year is June through September. It is hotter than a well digger's butt but it is quieter because there are not so many tourist other than the visitors of the residents. The best time to travel around town is after 10 p.m. Everyone is usually at home by then or working night shift. That is the best time to go grocery shopping. The "Blvd" is not near as crowded and no one is working on the road at time of the night, unless it is in a specific part of the road.
Of course, Duval St. is busy, at least on the weekends. I've been down on Duval around 11 p.m. during the week and the bars and restaurants are closed or closing. Lights go out and it is so eerily quiet, somewhat peaceful. That is the time to travel by bicycle, there are not many cars on the road to run you over.
With all that said, I'll stay here for as long as I can or until "they" either force me to move, the island gets a direct hit from a hurricane, or the island sinks. In any case, I won't need to worry. I love Key West and I have always wanted to come here and live. Even with all of the idiosyncrasies of this place, it is home to me, now.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Hello from Key West
Hello, hope everyone is in good spirits today. The weather is beautiful today. Light breezes, moderate temps and no clouds. This is the kind of weather that make people from up north want to come down to get away from the cold, especially this year. I gave you a short history of Key West sometime back, so here is a little more.
The weather isn't the only thing that bring people to this little island. There are a few good points of interest to visit. Oh, you can do the "tourist" thing and stay on Duval Street but there are other things to do here. Ernest Hemingway lived here from 1931 to 1939 but he still owned the home until his death in 1961. It is known as the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and was designated as a U. S. Historical landmark in 1968.
The house was originally built in 1851 by Asa Tift, who was a marine architect and salvage wrecker. It was built in a Spanish colonial estate style. The construction is testament because it has survived many hurricanes. It sits 16 feet above sea level and is the second-highest site on the island.
Part of its history is that it was the first house on Key West to have running water and an indoor bathroom. The water came from a rain cistern on the roof. An interesting concept for that time. It seems that given the problems of today, rain water is being captured and used for many eco-friendly homes across the country.
During the time Hemingway lived here, the grounds were sparse and dry because of the lack of rain. The water came later with the Navy and the installation of a water line piped down from the mainland. The gardens today flourish as there are many tropical plants around it. Hemingway converted a urinal he obtained from the renovation of Sloppy Joe's bar. He converted it into a water fountain, where it remains as a prominent feature on the grounds of the home. It serves as water resource for the many cats that reside there and are descendants of the 6-toed cats that lived there.
A prominent feature in the dining room is a Murano glass chandelier. The upstairs has a book display owned by Hemingway while he lived here. His writing studio is on the second floor of a free-standing carriage house and was once attached by a second-story walkway to the master bedroom.
There is a garage on the property, with an apartment on the second floor, built to house Hemingway's Buick automobile.
There is also a deep well-fed pool on the grounds. Hemingway paid $20,000 to have the pool installed while he was away as a Spanish War correspondent in 1938. Upon returning home, he was said to be unpleasantly surprised by the cost and exclaimed: "Well, you might as well have my last cent." The penny is embedded in concrete today near the pool.
Although this is a private, for profit landmark, it is a great place to start your tour of the island. It is located at 907 Whitehead St., across the street from the Key West lighthouse. Come for a visit, you will fall in love with Key West.
The weather isn't the only thing that bring people to this little island. There are a few good points of interest to visit. Oh, you can do the "tourist" thing and stay on Duval Street but there are other things to do here. Ernest Hemingway lived here from 1931 to 1939 but he still owned the home until his death in 1961. It is known as the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and was designated as a U. S. Historical landmark in 1968.
The house was originally built in 1851 by Asa Tift, who was a marine architect and salvage wrecker. It was built in a Spanish colonial estate style. The construction is testament because it has survived many hurricanes. It sits 16 feet above sea level and is the second-highest site on the island.
Part of its history is that it was the first house on Key West to have running water and an indoor bathroom. The water came from a rain cistern on the roof. An interesting concept for that time. It seems that given the problems of today, rain water is being captured and used for many eco-friendly homes across the country.
During the time Hemingway lived here, the grounds were sparse and dry because of the lack of rain. The water came later with the Navy and the installation of a water line piped down from the mainland. The gardens today flourish as there are many tropical plants around it. Hemingway converted a urinal he obtained from the renovation of Sloppy Joe's bar. He converted it into a water fountain, where it remains as a prominent feature on the grounds of the home. It serves as water resource for the many cats that reside there and are descendants of the 6-toed cats that lived there.
A prominent feature in the dining room is a Murano glass chandelier. The upstairs has a book display owned by Hemingway while he lived here. His writing studio is on the second floor of a free-standing carriage house and was once attached by a second-story walkway to the master bedroom.
There is a garage on the property, with an apartment on the second floor, built to house Hemingway's Buick automobile.
There is also a deep well-fed pool on the grounds. Hemingway paid $20,000 to have the pool installed while he was away as a Spanish War correspondent in 1938. Upon returning home, he was said to be unpleasantly surprised by the cost and exclaimed: "Well, you might as well have my last cent." The penny is embedded in concrete today near the pool.
Although this is a private, for profit landmark, it is a great place to start your tour of the island. It is located at 907 Whitehead St., across the street from the Key West lighthouse. Come for a visit, you will fall in love with Key West.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Hello from Key West!
Well, it's raining here today. This is OUR cold front. Overcast, rainy and dreary. The cold front brought temps to 75 degrees today. Brrrr. The humidity is 80%. Well, I guess we have to have dreary weather from time to time. My friends in the Northern states are fighting with the snow and ice. They are about ready to snuff out the groundhog.
When the weather turns better, everyone will be complaining about how hot it is. No one is ever happy with the weather. Down here, the weather gets the hottest during the summer months, July, August and September. No breeze to speak of, and when it does rain, it either rains just enough to mess up your car or it floods. Some days it is so hot that you walk out your door and get hit in the face with high humidity. That's the cost of living in paradise, you take the good with the bad.
Living on an island is, for the most part, a good thing. The locals here are as laid back as anyone can be and if something needs to be done, it will get done...in time. The road work on the Boulevard is slowly but surely getting done. On rainy days, work stops, and the vehicles get a wash, settles the dust.
I wish everyone I know in the Northern states could come down here for at least a week to get warm. I traveled to Kentucky back in December. When I left Key West the temp was between 60-70 degrees. By the time I got to Tampa, I was digging out my jeans and sweatshirt, It was 50 degrees there, bone chilling for the state of Florida. I woke up in Kentucky with a frost on my windshield and a temp of 35. By the end of my week there, the temp was 60 and people were walking around in shorts and t-shirts.
The weather has been acting strange the last few years. Snow in places that normally don't see it and warm weather where it is usually cold. The Winter Olympics are in what is supposed to be the coldest area of Russia. They are having problems with Spring-like weather, melting snow on the ski slopes making it dangerous for the athletes. Mother Nature is definitely going through the change of life, menopause, if you will. She must be pretty ticked off.
Oh well, I guess we HAVE to take the good with the bad. I am anxious to see what the weather has in store for all of us during this next year...Cuba may get snow in July.
When the weather turns better, everyone will be complaining about how hot it is. No one is ever happy with the weather. Down here, the weather gets the hottest during the summer months, July, August and September. No breeze to speak of, and when it does rain, it either rains just enough to mess up your car or it floods. Some days it is so hot that you walk out your door and get hit in the face with high humidity. That's the cost of living in paradise, you take the good with the bad.
Living on an island is, for the most part, a good thing. The locals here are as laid back as anyone can be and if something needs to be done, it will get done...in time. The road work on the Boulevard is slowly but surely getting done. On rainy days, work stops, and the vehicles get a wash, settles the dust.
I wish everyone I know in the Northern states could come down here for at least a week to get warm. I traveled to Kentucky back in December. When I left Key West the temp was between 60-70 degrees. By the time I got to Tampa, I was digging out my jeans and sweatshirt, It was 50 degrees there, bone chilling for the state of Florida. I woke up in Kentucky with a frost on my windshield and a temp of 35. By the end of my week there, the temp was 60 and people were walking around in shorts and t-shirts.
The weather has been acting strange the last few years. Snow in places that normally don't see it and warm weather where it is usually cold. The Winter Olympics are in what is supposed to be the coldest area of Russia. They are having problems with Spring-like weather, melting snow on the ski slopes making it dangerous for the athletes. Mother Nature is definitely going through the change of life, menopause, if you will. She must be pretty ticked off.
Oh well, I guess we HAVE to take the good with the bad. I am anxious to see what the weather has in store for all of us during this next year...Cuba may get snow in July.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Hello From Key West!
Hello from Key West!
Well, it seems that Justin Bieber has been arrested in Miami Beach over night! It is all over the news media here in Florida. I guess his star status is not as good in Miami as it is in California. Here is my question... WHERE IS YOUR MOTHER?! I know he is 19 and in most states that is legal but, REALLY?! Drag racing, drinking, suspended license? He is going to Hell in a hand basket at such a young age. THAT is what money does to you, especially at such a young age. Bieber has just become another statistic. His mug shot just made the news!
Now, if he were here, in Key West, he might have gotten away with his shenanigans. It is a little more laid-back here, and there are not too many roads or room, for that matter, to do a lot of racing. The speed limit on most of the island is only 25- 30 at the most. I don't think he would be able to get alcohol here because I think you have to be 21 to get anything except an energy drink. A friend of mine brought her daughter here for a high school graduation gift. Her daughter had just turned 18 and we were allowed to take her to a bar, but she was "banded" and was not allowed to have anything stronger than soda pop. Maybe that is why Bieber didn't come down here...go figure.
We don't need people like that here, we already have them. This place is a place for fun and sun and water. The residents here just really ignore the famous that come here. We have better things to do like enjoy the atmosphere of island living. Of course we have to work to be able to get the necessities of life but, we still have fun here. The sun itself is what it's all about. For the divers, it is a world of excitement. There are reefs and sunken ships to explore, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, deep sea fishing. The cruise ships dock here daily and the tourists disembark to take in Duval street shopping and eating. The sunset at Mallory Square is the highlight of the day, with the vendors and entertainers. There are sunset sail cruises even a glass bottom boat. The night life comes alive at dark and all of the real island characters come out. Sometimes, we have scuffles between tourists and locals but they are usually drunk and get to go to our local jail to dry out for the night.
For me, I will just sit back and enjoy my life here, feeling the sun on my face, drinking my soft drink and listening to Jimmy Buffet and island music. I am "growing older, not up".
Thank Jimmy!
Well, it seems that Justin Bieber has been arrested in Miami Beach over night! It is all over the news media here in Florida. I guess his star status is not as good in Miami as it is in California. Here is my question... WHERE IS YOUR MOTHER?! I know he is 19 and in most states that is legal but, REALLY?! Drag racing, drinking, suspended license? He is going to Hell in a hand basket at such a young age. THAT is what money does to you, especially at such a young age. Bieber has just become another statistic. His mug shot just made the news!
Now, if he were here, in Key West, he might have gotten away with his shenanigans. It is a little more laid-back here, and there are not too many roads or room, for that matter, to do a lot of racing. The speed limit on most of the island is only 25- 30 at the most. I don't think he would be able to get alcohol here because I think you have to be 21 to get anything except an energy drink. A friend of mine brought her daughter here for a high school graduation gift. Her daughter had just turned 18 and we were allowed to take her to a bar, but she was "banded" and was not allowed to have anything stronger than soda pop. Maybe that is why Bieber didn't come down here...go figure.
We don't need people like that here, we already have them. This place is a place for fun and sun and water. The residents here just really ignore the famous that come here. We have better things to do like enjoy the atmosphere of island living. Of course we have to work to be able to get the necessities of life but, we still have fun here. The sun itself is what it's all about. For the divers, it is a world of excitement. There are reefs and sunken ships to explore, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, deep sea fishing. The cruise ships dock here daily and the tourists disembark to take in Duval street shopping and eating. The sunset at Mallory Square is the highlight of the day, with the vendors and entertainers. There are sunset sail cruises even a glass bottom boat. The night life comes alive at dark and all of the real island characters come out. Sometimes, we have scuffles between tourists and locals but they are usually drunk and get to go to our local jail to dry out for the night.
For me, I will just sit back and enjoy my life here, feeling the sun on my face, drinking my soft drink and listening to Jimmy Buffet and island music. I am "growing older, not up".
Thank Jimmy!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Hello from Key West!
I know that much of the country is being covered by snow today. I thought I would send you all a sunny beach picture to wish away the day. This is Higgs Beach. There are a couple of beaches but I think this is the nicest one. There are no "natural" beaches like Daytona or Miami Beach, but it will do. This beach is on the Atlantic Ocean side and in between the West Martello Civil War Tower and the White Street Pier, which also is home of the AIDS memorial.
Also at Higgs Beach is the African Cemetery. It contains graves of Africans who died after being rescued from captured slave ships in 1860. It is part of the National Register of Historic Places. This story is in that 294 Africans were buried at Higgs Beach. They were part of criminal trade from Africa, Cuba and the people who sold slaves, in and around the Florida Keys. The cemetery went unmarked for 140 years. You can read "History of the African Cemetery on Higgs Beach" by Gail Swanson
This is just one of the historic places to visit in Key West.
The East and West Martello Towers are also along the Atlantic side of Key West. Construction began on Fort East Martello and Tower. This was to add more protection during the Civil War. During that time, Key West remained in the control of the Union, while most of it residents were Confederate sympathizers. The East Martello was not finished because the war ended. It remained abandoned and unfinished by the Army. In 1950, The Key West Art and Historical Society cleared debris and opened it as a museum. The West Martello Tower is home to the Key West Garden Club.
There are beaches all around the island of Key West. From Smathers Beach on South Roosevelt Blvd to Beaches at the end of Duval street and at the end of Simonton. Most have resorts and hotels attached so the tourist have a beach. Fort Zachary Taylor is a state park with a pre-Civil War Fort.
So, since you cannot be here to enjoy the nice weather and views, I have sent you a sample. If you ever in Key West, look me up, I can give you the penny tour and you will fall in love this place. By the way, it's raining here, go figure.
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