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.