Cheesy at it may seem, no visit to Key West is complete without a photo op at the marker of the Southernmost Point. It is a mere 90 miles to Cuba and although I was schooled with a little known fact that the true southernmost point in the US is a military base, this yellow, red and black marker was easier to visit. There is also a long wait in the direct sun to take your picture with the marker but it is proof positive to everyone that you made it. My morning maunderings led me here and neither Kamal nor Shipra were around. I took the pic of the point all by its lonesome. Which was fine. I was sweaty, sunburnt and badly bug bitten.
To really experience Key West it must be explored on foot. Yes, rent a car to travel to the other islands but in town you don’t need wheels. Parking is impossible and near the harbor will cost at least $15, minimum. Bike taxis pulled by college-aged boys scour Duval for passengers and mopeds are available for rent to putter around. But walking is my main source of exercise and I proceeded to get lost in the charming tiny neighborhoods. But to enjoy the full beauty of your route, water, sneakers and sunblock are a must. The humidity, if you are not accustomed, is like being in a higher altitude. It will kick you in the butt.
On the outskirts of main drags I found the NOAA branch on White Street. Being a Cali girl I was miffed hearing forecaster say there were no tropical occurrences predicted for the next 48 hours, (kind of the same way I was miffed at the tsunami signs in Crescent City, California!) Nonetheless whenit is the heart of hurricane season and there's only one way out of town you want to know if something wicked is brewing in the Atlantic.
When the sun goes down a stroll down Duval every night of your Key West stay is a must. Weekends are rowdier than weekdays and bars galore light up the night. This is the place to party, with or without your clothes, thanks to the CLOTHING OPTIONAL BAR (sorry, no pics).
The locals do have one pet peeve with tourists. There are those who believe its okay to walk in the middle of Duval Street, kind of like Disney World in Orlando. Unlike New Orleans French quarter, where the streets are safely cordoned off, Duval is an open thoroughfare and cars zoom freely so use common sense. Click here to catch some more views...
And don’t forget the Sunset Festival, the daily celebration of, well, the sunset so please stay tuned. I'm taking tiny break from this 'vacation' and will be back with a post on Tuesday...happy trails!
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