Come Sail Away

More of the Key West gallery.

Color & Shade

Looking up into the branches of a Royal Poinciana tree in Key West. This tree was like nothing I'd ever seen (since I'd never been to South Florida before) but it's probably the most gorgeous tree ever! It is named for Phillipe de Longviliers de Poincy, who introduced it to the Americas in the 1600s (it's native in Madagascar). It is rumored he planted the tree on all his holdings so he would know which islands were his from offshore.

Corner of Greene and Duval

The famous (or infamous) Sloppy Joe's has been at this location since 1937, but began its history the day prohibition was repealed - December 5, 1933. Joe Russell, the bar's founder, was a charter boat captain, rum runner and buds with Ernest Hemingway. He was the model for Freddy, the owner of Freddy's Bar and captain of the Queen Conch in "To Have and Have Not."

Sloppy Joe's is open 365 days a year, 9am to 4am (noon to 4am on Sundays.) Don't miss the live Duval Street webcam outside the front doors. And check out their website for other cool stuff.

Red, White & Blue Over Key West

These aren't the only colors that have flown over Key West. In 1982, Key West "seceded" from the U.S. in protest to a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock which destroyed tourism. The island inhabitants declared themselves the Conch (konk) Republic and surrendered the next day. The protest worked, the roadblock was re-opened, but you can still buy flags and passports as souvenirs.

Flyin' the Friendly Skies

East Coast skies in June.

Colorful Pathways

This is actually a pedestrian and golf cart road on the grounds of the Coral Bay Resort at Islamorada (mile marker 75.5). My cousins used to run the place, so we stopped by there on our way to Key West to see what the place was looking like since they left. This stretch of U.S. 1 is flanked by resort after resort, but you can't get a feel for any of them from the road.

Another Way to See the Sunset

The Oldest House in Key West

I was only in Florida for 5 days but since there isn't much going on in Clarksville, expect to see many of my Florida pictures appear here in the next few weeks.

This is the oldest house in Key West, built in 1829. The Old Island Restoration Foundation says this about the house:

The Oldest House in South Florida ... incorporates the influences of colonial architecture found in the Caribbean and New England. For decades, it was the home of Capt. Francis Watlington, his wife, and nine daughters. Watlington was a Customs Inspector, Lightship Captain, harbor pilot, and “wrecker” – one of the Key West salvagers who raced to ships run aground on the reefs, rescued their crew, and benefited from the cargo aboard. Watlington operated the schooners Blackhawk and Caroline as a salvager, and later ran the supply line to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas.

Sunset at Mallory Square

Tourists gather at Mallory Square in Key West to watch the sunset, or the trained cats, whichever you're into. Or maybe they just like the boats and frozen lemonade! Who knows.