Retirement Travels: Key West Week 1

Thursday, January 28

As predicted, it rained a good part of the 4+ hour drive from Flamingo. We got an early start and arrived just after lunch - and lucky for us, they had 3 remaining spaces in the RV park. I don't know what we would have done if they didn't have space. I'm glad we didn't have to find out.

And luck continued with our assigned space being only a few feet from the Gulf of Mexico.

As soon as we got set up, we took off to downtown Key West which is only a couple miles away. We walked around a while and had lunch, but we got a little nervous having left our car parked on a back street with the two kayaks on it. So, deciding we had plenty of time, we decided to come on back to the camp site.

The RV park is on Naval Air Station Key West. From what we've heard, there are around 480 RVs parked in various parts of the base. Only 90 of them have full hook ups (electric, water, sewer). The rest are "dry camping", meaning we don't have any hookups. That's the reason for generators, water tanks and holding tanks. I think we can make it a while like this. Now that little Honda 2KW generator will come in handy.

Friday, January 29

After an early morning workout at the fitness facility, we decided to continue our excursion in downtown Key West. We've taken the kayaks off the car, so we're not concerned about whether they'll be there when we get back.

We must have walked 2 or 3 miles on some of the back streets. We have been here before and taken the trolley tour, but you can't see much on them. Some of the architecture and houses are fascinating. Nice to see, but I sure wouldn't want to live in them. Most residents have to park on the street.

I think we're about settled in now.

We've also pretty much decided that from now on, if we're coming to Florida in the winter, we're going to skip everything else and come straight here. This is the only part of Florida I would consider interesting - and warm. So from now on, it's either in the Southwest US (my preference), or Florida Keys for the winter.

Saturday, January 30

The most notable thing about today is the weather. Although still cool in the shade if in the wind, it is nice and warm otherwise.

This afternoon we just rode around for a while, exploring areas we haven't visited or seen before.

Duval Street and the waterfront are the "happening" places.

We ended up at an interesting recycling of an old fort referred to as the West Mortello Tower. This is an old fort (mid 1800's) in Southeast Key West (on the Atlantic Ocean side) that has been re-purposed into a botanical garden. The gardens were started in the late 1940's by the Key West Garden Club and is today quite a showplace.

http://www.keywestgardenclub.com/Tower_History.html

Sunday, January 31

As January ends. we find that the American Tropics (Key West) is becoming more and more a place that we enjoy and appreciate. We are limiting ourselves to only one event/site/experience each day. This way, we have something to look forward to each day - as if the weather itself isn't something to look forward to. And today's temperatures were perfect. Just warm enough to enjoy and cool enough to not have to seek shade.

Clara had seen an ad for a street arts and crafts show, so after lunch we launched into our adventure for the day. On our way, we stumbled on to a different arts and crafts show and stopped for a while. We eventually ended at the show we had intended to see. Although some of the works are similar to those we would see at a show back home, there are always some touches of local culture that make shows in different places fun - and this one did not disappoint.

Arts and Crafts Show

We've also made contact with Joe and Susan Johnson, friends from Beaufort who are here for two weeks. We've planned to get together with them for lunch tomorrow.

Tonight, all the windows are open and a comfortable breeze is blowing, making it a nice end to a nice day.

Monday, February 1

Oh my goodness! The weather today is wonderful. Temperatures in the upper 70's.

It rained most of last night (according to Clara - I heard it sometime in the night, but that's it) then cleared off beautifully this morning.

We met Joe and Susan for lunch and then visited the condo they are renting in the Truman Complex. Wow! A really nice place. They'll be here a couple of weeks, so we'll be getting back together again. Other friends are arriving next weekend (Les and Carol), so we're going to have a Beaufort reunion.

After we left Joe and Susan, Clara once again wanted to walk Duval Street some more, so I obliged. I'm not a shopper or looker.

After we got back to the campsite, I broke out the kayak and headed down to the water. Jack, our neighbor here in the park was sitting down there and I invited him along in the 2nd kayak. We rowed around for an hour or so in crystal clear waters. I think I'm going to have to put on the snorkel gear and try it out, even though the water is a little cooler than I like. I'll wait until it's really warm at camp and then have a stiff drink and go for it.

Sunset from the beach by our motor home

Tuesday, February 2

A do nothing day. No excursions, tours or visits - just relaxing around home and enjoying the weather.

I did get stuck at the fitness facility this morning. There have been notices published that the base will be holding exercises this week. Just as I was finishing my workout, the manager comes around and tells everyone that there is a drill and everyone is to "shelter in place" - which means we can't leave the club. Well, I had finished my workout, and for lack of anything to do, I started over. An hour later the exercise terminated. Come to find out that they had a mock drill involving a chemical spill on base. I guess there are worse places to be "sheltered in place".

By the time I got back home, it seemed like a good time to try swimming in the Gulf. Those first few steps getting into the water were "exhilarating" - like kinda hard to catch my breath. But after a little acclimation, it was fairly comfortable.

This afternoon, I decided to shop for a wet suit ( I lost mine last time in the Virgin Islands when it blew overboard during a vigorous sail). I found a very lightweight suit that I'll try tomorrow. I'm also concerned about swimming off shore here at the RV park because of all the boats that run along here, so I also bought a diver flag rig. Now I've got to figure out how to tether it to me while I'm swimming.

The rest of the day was just chillin' at home.

Wednesday, February 3

After working out this morning, I drove to Trumbo Point, another part of the military complex here where they have an outdoor pool. I want to test my new partial wet suit and my "invention" that keeps the diver flag with me. The water temperature actually seems a little cooler than the Gulf, but my wet suit works well and my "invention" for the flag worked well, so I'm set to swim in the Gulf.

This afternoon we drove downtown to have dinner and go to a live show at the Waterfront Playhouse.

We arrived at Mallory Square where everyone gathers for the sunset. There are hundreds of people, along with performers of all types putting on their shows.

Sunset from Mallory Square

Part of the crowd that is gathered at Mallory Square for the sunset

An interesting street performer

We had a nice dinner and afterward the show. The actors were very good, but the subject matter was terrible (something that Key West is well-known for). Enough said about that!

Thursday, February 4

For our special treat for the day, we drove an hour and half to the Dolphin Research Center just North of Marathon.

We have been here a couple times in the past and we always find it entertaining and educational

Joe and Susan Johnson go with us. It's great having someone else along. I think Clara gets a little tired of just having me to talk to.

On the way to the Center, we stop at a restaurant in Marathon that we remember from our trip here in the sailboat.