The Florida Keys: Roadtrip, Redemption & Rona

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The Keys: 2nd Time Around?

Timing is everything!

Years ago, I had taken a mini “bae-cation” to Islamorada before my “fateful” trip to the lower Florida Keys AKA Key West.

It had totally slipped my mind.

Sadly the latter trip overpowered the positive memories of the former. Or maybe I left it out unbeknownst since it wasn’t a solo trip.

I enjoyed the laid-back vibe of the middle keys village. My bae at the time and I had planned to make it all the way down, but stopped a little short.

I remembered store fronts lining the road, stopping for pictures and a delicious seafood lunch.

Despite my Miamian roots, the humidity of that one-day trip and the never-ending 4-hour ride made me never want to return to the Florida Keys.

It was so hot that I didn’t even bother ending the trip at the “southernmost point”.

According to Google, there is a point further south but it’s not open to the public.

If you went to Key West and didn’t take a picture at the touristy buoy, did you even go? 

Enter 2020, Rona, and my oldest sis in town for her birthday.

After asking her what her plans were, she said Key West.

As was my habit, I went into the long spiel of how the humidity had traumatized me and I did not ever want to go back.  (Well maybe on a cruise).

But it was her birthday wish and I decided to make an exception. This would be a trip of many firsts including traveling with my sister’s pet.

In my teens, my aunt’s boyfriend had a greyhound looking dog (Blanche) that stayed outside. And then later on, my cousin had two poodles (April and Harry) that we kept inside.

Can’t Touch This

Despite this, I never quite got over my fear of dogs. Most of the fear is rooted in cleanliness.

I’m a germaphobe and it doesn’t make sense to me to touch or be touched by something that doesn’t take daily baths.

The trip turned out good on that front since FiFi was only interested in sniffing me. My sis said she wouldn’t bother me much since she could sense I was getting over an illness.

She defended us us fiercely like her little life depended on it.

No bicyle, bird, other dogs, males, and or running children were safe from her wrath.

My fur niece won me over, but I still hadn’t touched her once!

I must seem so weird to the animal lovers! It was a learning experience across the board.

Tourist in my own Backyard…

We stayed in Marathon which is about an hour and a half from the Florida Keys.

The Fairfield advertised the property as being new but it was renovated.

I liked the beach house theme though the details seemed rush.

Due to COVID-19, the free breakfast was continental.

We skipped it and ate across the street at The Island Fish Co. Their shrimp and grits is so yummy! 

Another redemption from my Arizona trip.

They serve large portions of everything. My order came with toast.

I didn’t like the pancakes the following morning. The meats are sold ala carte if you didn’t get grits.

Even though Miami had been bombarded daily with rain, the Florida Keys’ weather was perfect the whole trip! The water was an inviting mix of contrasting blues.

Because “the southernmost point” is in a residential neighborhood, be prepared to park a few blocks away at a public parking lot. Thanks to our mid-afternoon arrival and Covid (I’m sure), there were only a few people waiting in line.

The buoy was smaller/shorter than I expected. Iron fencing separated it from the pretty aqua waters.

‘Ernest’ mistake…

If you’re thinking of bringing a pet with you, Key West is very pet friendly.

As we strolled the streets, we saw a crowd gathered in front of a house. It’s a good thing we stopped since it was the famous Ernest Hemingway’s home.

It was an excursion my sister had spoken of visiting. The house was beautifully filled with historical artifacts.

They offered guided tours and we arrived just in time to catch one. Admission $16.

There were almost a hundred cats that also called the place home.

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We stopped at a bench to rest from the sun peeking through the clouds and I asked the perfect walker by if they were a resident. Her name was Spring she said jovially as she handed me a business card.

She knew many of the business owners and was able to give several recommendations. Spring was a breath of fresh air and lived up to her name.

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The Conch Republic

If you’re in the mood for Key West’s famous key lime pie, make sure to stop at Southernmost Key Lime Shop. It’s delicious and not too sour.

I had landed on the opposite side of Duval Street on my previous trip.

I don’t recall seeing so many chickens last time. They are literally everywhere and they do cross the road…quite often.

One flock came out to seek key lime pie as we ate on the storefront porch. They are as commonplace as the cats at Hemingway’s.

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One of the spots Spring recommended was (The Mansion) The Southernmost House hotel. She vouched for their popular lobster pizza (advertised on a chalkboard on the sidewalk).

It wasn’t a hit with neither me nor my sister.

I wanted to like it but the cheese blend left a bitter after taste. I recommend the delicious conch fritters and dipping sauce! 

Key West gets one of it’s nicknames (The Conch Republic) from the shelled creatures.

The second nickname on the buoy is “Home of the Sunsets”.  

The mansion was a nice backdrop right along the ocean’s edge. The food was prepared from a food truck steps away.

I would definitely return to try more items on their descriptively appeasing menu.

Have you visited The Keys?

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~Poof…Bee Gone

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