While the weather wasn't in the 30s with gray overcast skies, I had to make do with spending Christmas in Key West  :wink: Loved the place, don't know that I'd care to live there but we had a great time.

 

One of many "iconic" Key West spots:

 

Conch tour train - these were everywhere:

 

Key West definitely has a different flavor to it:

 

Lots of great old homes:

 

St. Paul's Episcopal church in the distance (yes, there will be photos of the interior):

 

Amazing flora in Key West:

 

Kelly's (as in Kelly McGillis):

 

The Customs House (and museum of art and history)

 

Zoe, an adorable French Bulldog - her owner was a transplant from Tuscarawas County!

 

Pelicans were everywhere:

 

On the southern end of Mallory Square, where cruise ships dock:

 

Detail of the Customs House:

 

Another "icon" of Key West - these roosters are traced back to the historic Cuban population; once cockfighting was banned, these guys were allowed to roam at will. And crow at the @sscrack of dawn. They never woke me up but it was a little jarring on the morning walk to hear them all crowing at once.

 

 

Flora:

 

A.M.E. church on Whitehead:

 

 

 

Not sure what the deal was here - there were a few places that looked like this; some were abandoned after Hurricane Wilma, others - who knows?

 

Over to Mallory Square to see the famous Key West sunset:

 

 

Quite a few street performers:

 

Yeah, I suppose this was nice - if you like that sort of thing  :wink:

 

 

 

Walking down Duval Street - not the original Sloppy Joes location but still very much part of Key West history:

 

Nice adaptive re-use of an old theatre. At night:

 

And during the day:

 

Lovely old building:

 

The Porch (a great spot for drinks) is behind this tree - great spot since it's right on the main drag but the tree makes it feel very private and cozy:

 

Over to Fort Zachary Taylor beach - gotta say I wasn't a fan of the beaches (not that Key West is known for them); lots of rocks under the water but ah well:

 

 

 

It was a little jarring to be sitting there and just glancing and seeing this huge ship come from around the corner:

 

And off to Sunset Pier for another sunset. Sunset Pier reminded me of Shooters; just a nice bar with a really mixed crowd and great boardwalk views of the water. An added plus was that it wasn't as crowded as Mallory Square:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day (Christmas Eve) we took the Yankee Freedom II ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles or 2.5 hours west of Key West:

 

 

 

Fort Jefferson in the distance - http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

 

 

These frigate birds were amazing - wingspans around 6 to 7 feet, but they only weigh about 3 pounds. They didn't really 'soar', they floated like balloons!

 

Moat at Fort Jefferson:

 

Inside the Fort:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top level of the Fort:

 

 

 

After a few hours of exploring and snorkeling, it was time for the trip back to Key West - the Customs House in the background; note the crowds lined up in Mallory Square for sunset:

 

 

Next up, more sunsets and warm weather:

 

 

 

Part 1 of 2??? Key West ain't THAT big!

 

I went there 12 years ago and I just remember a lot of cats.  Cats were everywhere.

Part 1 of 2??? Key West ain't THAT big!

 

I went there 12 years ago and I just remember a lot of cats.  Cats were everywhere.

 

Don't forget "(maybe 3)" 

 

Looking forward to more photos!  Hope to see Ernest Hemingway's home!

yikes our friends were down there at the same time and she got pneumonia and just got out of the hospital!

 

looks like you had a nice vacation for sure. i think hemingway's cats all have too many toes, is that true? ha.

 

i've been a few times. kw is ok, but you can really make the drive down into an adventure, there is just nothing like it. highly recommended.

Nice....!

 

 

Do you know the story with the barrel vault?

Every time I see photos of Key West I can't help but languish at the fact that I have not made it there yet. Thanks for causing me pain, MayDay ;)