When sailing, life is all about the weather… On this trip, we were stuck in Key West for two weeks waiting for the winds to blow themselves out. Could be stuck in a lot worse place! (See the last time we were stuck in Key West here!) Key West is a lot of fun, especially if you are looking for a big party.
The Little White House
We visited President Truman’s Little White House for the first time this trip. Walking through the residence is a trip back in time to the 1950s. The furniture and décor represent Truman’s time in the presidency, despite more recent presidents who have used the residence for vacation and meetings, including Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton. A poker table takes center stage in the sunroom along with a cocktail bar, while a piano and old gramophone represent the types of entertainment in the living room. I learned on this visit the origin of the phrase “the buck stops here”, which is apparently a reference to poker hands that Truman adopted!
Martello Towers
When we have shore time, we try to go walking to get our exercise. Several times we walked clear across the island of Key West, about two miles each way! One visit was to the Martello Towers, a former part of Fort Zachary Taylor. They were hosting a plant and craft sale. Admission was free and we were able to wander through the gardens, admiring sculptures and various species of tropical plants. The view overlooking the ocean was awesome too!
Fort Zachary Taylor
Another day we walked across Key West to Fort Zachary Taylor. Construction on the fort started in 1845. It has defended both Key West and traffic into the Gulf of Mexico through the civil war and World War I and II. After that, excavation on the fort began in search of civil war relics. The fort is now part of the state park and visitors can wander through the old barracks, ammunition storage areas, and walk the rooftops for an amazing view of the ocean.
Thanksgiving in Key West
Thanksgiving Day must be the best day to visit Key West! I have never seen Duval Street so empty, yet most of the shops, restaurants, and tourist venues were open. Without the usual crowds, it was easy to wander through the downtown and explore. The town had a lighting ceremony the day before, so we had the opportunity to check out all the cool Christmas light displays on our ventures. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at our favorite restaurant, The Boathouse at Turtle Kraals, before returning to the boat for the night.
On this trip, we met lots of locals in Key West, along with several cruisers and tourists. Every trip here has been fun and we got lots of exercise walking the island. The locals tell us this is the slowest time of the year for them, so it was definitely a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.
