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1/22-1/28/2025, Wednesday-Tuesday - Explored Key West

joraintree
Jan 295 min read

Updated: Feb 9

We drove through the Florida Keys expecting a lot of cool stuff, but nothing really called to us until we got to Key West. Of course, the cold dreary weather could have had something to do with it. There was no point stopping in at the bars that are great for sunsets when there is no chance of seeing it through the grey skies.


"Fred the Tree" who clings to the dilapidated former railroad bridge that is now not used for anything.
"Fred the Tree" who clings to the dilapidated former railroad bridge that is now not used for anything.

A nice mural between our parking spot and Duval Street.
A nice mural between our parking spot and Duval Street.

First glimpse of Duval Street.
First glimpse of Duval Street.

Checking out Duval Street, which was a common thing for us to do throughout our week in Key West.
Checking out Duval Street, which was a common thing for us to do throughout our week in Key West.

There were free roaming chickens and roosters EVERYWHERE in Key West.
There were free roaming chickens and roosters EVERYWHERE in Key West.

The iconic Sloppy Joe's Bar, which had been a favorite hangout of Ernest Hemingway and other famous people back in the day.
The iconic Sloppy Joe's Bar, which had been a favorite hangout of Ernest Hemingway and other famous people back in the day.

No sunset at Sunset Pier this day and most days during our stay. At least we'd made it to the warmest place in the continental US, though! (Even though it wasn't terribly warm, and we still needed our thermal layers, lol.)
No sunset at Sunset Pier this day and most days during our stay. At least we'd made it to the warmest place in the continental US, though! (Even though it wasn't terribly warm, and we still needed our thermal layers, lol.)

Bust Park, where most of the people who "earned" busts here were either born into money, or got it through nefarious means, like being "wreckers" who salvaged goods from shipwrecks on the reef (see below).
Bust Park, where most of the people who "earned" busts here were either born into money, or got it through nefarious means, like being "wreckers" who salvaged goods from shipwrecks on the reef (see below).

Shipwrecks were super common when Key West was young, and "wreckers" would "save" the people and cargo from these shipwrecked boats, then sell the salvaged belongings back to the saved owners at 4x the value.
Shipwrecks were super common when Key West was young, and "wreckers" would "save" the people and cargo from these shipwrecked boats, then sell the salvaged belongings back to the saved owners at 4x the value.

Whoa! 60-90 percent of all exports from Florida in the 1930s came from wrecking!
Whoa! 60-90 percent of all exports from Florida in the 1930s came from wrecking!

Sandy Cornish was the only black man to have a bust in the park. He was also, apparently, the only self-made man in the bunch here, but he had to endure unspeakable horrors to make that happen. For shame!
Sandy Cornish was the only black man to have a bust in the park. He was also, apparently, the only self-made man in the bunch here, but he had to endure unspeakable horrors to make that happen. For shame!

Sponge monster!
Sponge monster!

During our week in Key West we would get some work done at coffee shops in the morning, then go out exploring the Old Town, looking at boats, people watching, and hitting up happy hours. It stayed on the chilly side, but we did have a few nicer days with some sun at least.


Edward B. Knight Pier
Edward B. Knight Pier


The Dive Bar Shirt Club was a place we like for happy hour.
The Dive Bar Shirt Club was a place we like for happy hour.



Celtic Conch Public House had a good happy hour, the tiniest stage we'd ever seen, and a super sassy bartender.
Celtic Conch Public House had a good happy hour, the tiniest stage we'd ever seen, and a super sassy bartender.

Cute nautical "Christmas Tree"
Cute nautical "Christmas Tree"


End of Hwy 1 in Key West
End of Hwy 1 in Key West

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We learned that they put metal around the trees to keep the squirrels from climbing them. Not sure why that's such a problem.
We learned that they put metal around the trees to keep the squirrels from climbing them. Not sure why that's such a problem.

One day we decided to bike the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail from Key West to as far east as we could.
One day we decided to bike the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail from Key West to as far east as we could.


Along the way we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch break in a shady area by a golf course.
Along the way we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch break in a shady area by a golf course.

The dedicated bike trail (separated from the highway) ended on Boca Chica Key. Continuing on the shoulder of the busy highway seemed dangerous, so we turned back.
The dedicated bike trail (separated from the highway) ended on Boca Chica Key. Continuing on the shoulder of the busy highway seemed dangerous, so we turned back.

Back in town we stopped at the Rails to Sails Museum at Flagler Station.
Back in town we stopped at the Rails to Sails Museum at Flagler Station.

A model of Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park. We looked into taking the ferry boat here for a day trip, but nothing was available for two people until April.
A model of Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park. We looked into taking the ferry boat here for a day trip, but nothing was available for two people until April.

Here is the Relive video (with our route and additional pictures) of our 20-mile bike ride that day:




On our last day in Key West we headed over to the iconic monument at the "Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A." to take the obligatory selfie.
On our last day in Key West we headed over to the iconic monument at the "Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A." to take the obligatory selfie.

There was a long line of people waiting to get their full body pictures by the monument, but we hate waiting in lines like this, especially just for a photo.
There was a long line of people waiting to get their full body pictures by the monument, but we hate waiting in lines like this, especially just for a photo.

So we, like many others, just hopped up on the short wall in front of the monument and took a selfie. Good enough for us!
So we, like many others, just hopped up on the short wall in front of the monument and took a selfie. Good enough for us!

More sights from our walk that morning...
More sights from our walk that morning...

The Reach Gazebo
The Reach Gazebo

View of Battery 231 at Whitehead Spit in Fort Zachary Taylor, which is probably actually the current southernmost point of the continental USA, only because the island has been built up (extended) beyond its original boundaries.
View of Battery 231 at Whitehead Spit in Fort Zachary Taylor, which is probably actually the current southernmost point of the continental USA, only because the island has been built up (extended) beyond its original boundaries.

Key West Lighthouse, which used to be on the shoreline, but is now considerably inland because the island has been extended to about twice its original size.
Key West Lighthouse, which used to be on the shoreline, but is now considerably inland because the island has been extended to about twice its original size.

Before leaving Key West, Cara took a guided tour of the former home of famous author Ernest Hemingway. Sadly, this beautiful home was originally built by a "wrecker" who made his massive fortune from the misfortune of others.
Before leaving Key West, Cara took a guided tour of the former home of famous author Ernest Hemingway. Sadly, this beautiful home was originally built by a "wrecker" who made his massive fortune from the misfortune of others.

One of the typewriters Ernest Hemingway used when writing.
One of the typewriters Ernest Hemingway used when writing.

The beautiful upstairs bathroom (a true rarity back in the day) that the whole family and nanny had to share.
The beautiful upstairs bathroom (a true rarity back in the day) that the whole family and nanny had to share.

Master bedroom - the furnishings throughout the house are all original because the ex-wife never got rid of anything, and the family also kept it all intact. (Hemingway had 4 wives, and Pauline, wife #2 lived here.)
Master bedroom - the furnishings throughout the house are all original because the ex-wife never got rid of anything, and the family also kept it all intact. (Hemingway had 4 wives, and Pauline, wife #2 lived here.)

Notice the cat on the bed - it's one of the currently 59 cats who live here. Notice the chairs at the end of the bed. They are antique Spanish birthing chairs, but Hemingway like to use them on his boat when he went fishing.
Notice the cat on the bed - it's one of the currently 59 cats who live here. Notice the chairs at the end of the bed. They are antique Spanish birthing chairs, but Hemingway like to use them on his boat when he went fishing.

Things related to Hemingway's African safari in the winter of 1933-1934. During the safari he nearly died twice in two days from two different plane crashes. He suffered injuries and was never able to write sitting down after that.
Things related to Hemingway's African safari in the winter of 1933-1934. During the safari he nearly died twice in two days from two different plane crashes. He suffered injuries and was never able to write sitting down after that.

Top: Hemingway in Paris, 1928, when he drunkenly pulled a skylight down onto his head, thinking he was pulling the toilet chain. Bottom (left to right): Hemingway in 1924, 1927, and just before his death (suicide) in 1961.
Top: Hemingway in Paris, 1928, when he drunkenly pulled a skylight down onto his head, thinking he was pulling the toilet chain. Bottom (left to right): Hemingway in 1924, 1927, and just before his death (suicide) in 1961.



Hemingway's favorite corner of the balcony to sit, because the breeze blew just right here. You really could feel about a 10 degree difference rounding this corner and catching the breeze.
Hemingway's favorite corner of the balcony to sit, because the breeze blew just right here. You really could feel about a 10 degree difference rounding this corner and catching the breeze.

The swimming pool Pauline had constructed against Hemingway's wishes. While he was away in 1937 she had his beloved boxing ring removed and this pool built in its place. It was an architectural feat for many reasons.
The swimming pool Pauline had constructed against Hemingway's wishes. While he was away in 1937 she had his beloved boxing ring removed and this pool built in its place. It was an architectural feat for many reasons.

Hemingway's writing studio in the upstairs of a converted stable.
Hemingway's writing studio in the upstairs of a converted stable.


Hemingway's traveling typewriter.
Hemingway's traveling typewriter.

One of many 6-toed (polydactyl) cats still living at the Hemingway Home. They are all descendants of the original polydactyl cat, Snowball, that had been given to Hemingway as a gift.
One of many 6-toed (polydactyl) cats still living at the Hemingway Home. They are all descendants of the original polydactyl cat, Snowball, that had been given to Hemingway as a gift.

Another polydactyl cat - see how the front paw looks more like a mitten.
Another polydactyl cat - see how the front paw looks more like a mitten.

The cats are all well cared for and have the run of the place. There are cat houses all over the property, including this one made as a replica of the main house.
The cats are all well cared for and have the run of the place. There are cat houses all over the property, including this one made as a replica of the main house.


I guess nobody told the kitties to stay off the wet cement, lol.
I guess nobody told the kitties to stay off the wet cement, lol.

We left Key West in the afternoon and made it to a bar just in time for sunset.
We left Key West in the afternoon and made it to a bar just in time for sunset.

We had discovered Dive Bar on the Bay in Tavernier on our way out to Key West, and we loved the vibe there, so we were happy to stop in there again before exiting the keys altogether.
We had discovered Dive Bar on the Bay in Tavernier on our way out to Key West, and we loved the vibe there, so we were happy to stop in there again before exiting the keys altogether.


 
 
 

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