Key West Redux

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This photo was taken on our first day in Key West, before the rains hit. Simply spectacular, if you ask me.

Ordinarily, today I would post the next installment of The Road Taken series.  But, after my Rick saga, I’ve decided to take a break as I’m not quite sure where my story should go next. Blame it on a brain freeze, or on one too many rum punches imbibed while on vacation. Either way, I’ve hit a wall. If you have any suggestions on how to get past it, I’d love to hear from you.

In the meantime, since you have been so encouraging about my photos from Key West, I thought I’d share a few more today. After all, the ones I’ve already posted, in Key West, Rain & All, largely focused on the lousy weather we had while there.  It’s only right that I also show you some photos that capture Key West at its best.

If you ask me, Key West is an idyllic locale, and the perfect place for anyone who enjoys a good walk. I didn’t let the rain stop me from clocking in a lot of steps on my pedometer as I wandered around, taking in the lush beauty and flavor of Florida’s magnificent coastal community. As a writer, I found Key West to be very inspiring. I can’t think of a more fitting place in which to lose yourself, if only for a short time.

So, please indulge me as I reflect on my favorite moments visiting the southernmost point of the continental U.S.   I’m hoping, that those of you who commented last week and said you’d never been there, will be motivated to start planning your own trip to the Keys.

Let me know what you think!

I put together this collage as a reminder of all that Key West has to offer. Balmy days, and some good, old-fashioned R&R.

This alley looked like a prime spot for basking in the atmosphere.

What's the story behind this structure, located at the southernmost point? Wish I knew.

One of the many spots where you can stock up on cigars.

I love signage. For some reason, this one reminded me of one of my favorite films.

No doubt, this is the Number One photo-op spot in Key West, a mere 90 miles from Cuba, after all.

Anyone watching the new "Pan Am" series, might be interested in reading this sign. (This photo was taken by my sister.)

Intriguing front yard, don't you think? I wonder what they do inside, when not "Closed," that is.

I'm a sucker for statues.

This dog, on Duval Street, is waiting for his pirate booty.

Chickens and roosters roam freely in this laid-back town.

When I came across this whimsical yard, I felt a yearning to sit down and have a tall glass of refreshing lemonade. Or should I, more appropriately, Key Lime-ade?

This house, with its purple bicycle, green foliage and blue shutters, spoke to me. I wouldn't mind spending half the year here, writing away, and getting around town on my bike, as most of the locals do.

The Banana Cafe is a little French restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. The Key Lime Crepes are mouth-watering divine!

This may look like a dive, but it happens to be Virgilio's, one of the hottest places on Duval Street, for live music and dancing. We had a blast here. It's beautiful inside and an enormous tree growing in the middle of the roofless bar adds to its charm.

I love taking snapshots of flowers. This photo was taken while standing on a small bridge over a pond on the Hemingway house property, looking directly down at a lily pad.

Papa's Hideaway is a bed & breakfast, just a few blocks from Hemingway's house. Maybe next time, I'll stay here.

Hemingway must have spent a lot of time in the bathroom because his bathrooms were absolutely stunning! I love the tile on this bathroom floor. So art deco!

Check out the vanity in this bathroom. Look closely and you'll see my reflection.

49 thoughts on “Key West Redux”

  2. Pingback: Key West Florida – Destination Video | Key West Travel Deals

  5. I am officially jealous! This place looks absolutely wonderful – a piece of heaven on earth if you will. I also would love to have somewhere like this were I could write six months of the year, preferably when it’s cold in Canada! ENJOY.

  6. These photos (and, yes, the running commentary) make me want to get right on a plane and head down. I can’t say I have a favorite photo, though I can say your comment re: Hwmingway’s bathroom did bring a smile. You have a sharp eye for both taking photos and choosing the ones that best reflect what it was like to be there.

    • I wasn’t sure about the commentary, but I’m so glad you like it! 🙂 Just calling it as I see it. If I’d been a visitor to his house in his day, I would spent my time there taking bubble baths all day long!

  9. Monica, what a great collection of photos! Seriously, if we string them together, we have an idea of just how you spent your vacation! My favorite is the one with the hammock! I love the framing in this shot. Some day I too shall go to Key West and tell the people at Virgilio’s, “I’m here to dance! Monica sent me!” 🙂 Regarding the Road Taken, I’d love to read about your emotional state when Rick exited the picture. Did you feel despair, regret, blame your marriage for standing in the way? What prompted G to go from loving husband to philandering jerk? Did you see the signs? But more importantly, once he exited the picture, how did you pick up the pieces? Would you have taken him back once you knew of his infidelity? I want to know! 🙂

    • When you go to Key West, let me know and I will meet you!

      Thank you for all the suggestions for my Road Take series. Those are all excellent questions and are giving me some ideas. Thank you. I knew I could count on you!

      BTW, didn’t the photos of the tables and empty chairs remind you of a post you did recently about a table and set of chairs? That post fascinated me so when I saw these, I just had to take the pictures, because it got me to thinking, what stories these chairs and tables could tell. You know, between the Bella hair salon and these two pictures, you came into my thoughts quite a bit. It’s almost as if you were in Key West with me!!

  12. I love your photos. Thanks for sharing them. We were in Key West last year (during Spring Break unfortunately) and couldn’t get in to see Hemmingway’s House because the line was tooooo long. I love the bathroom, too.

    • Thanks, Kathleen! Glad you checked out my post. I can’t believe the line was so long. When we went this month (off season, I guess), no line whatsoever. Just walked in and leisurely strolled around. I took the official tour of the house the first time I visited KW, a few years ago. This time I wandered around, taking photos. I took tons of pictures, too, of the famous Hemingway cats. Nobody bothered us. I even sat and zoned out by the pool. It was a breathtaking view. 🙂

  15. Monica
    What a great bunch of photographs. It is a fascinating way to create a story with each photo. It really inspired me to get some of my own out and look at them in a fresh way.

    • I’m so glad they’ve inspired you to look at your own photos. Please let us know when you’ve posted your own pictorial. I can’t wait to check it out! 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by!

  17. So I just googled it and it’s only a 29-hour drive for me. I can be there by Thursday! Oh wait – kids graduate middle school and high school first 😦
    Ah but I can dream….

  18. ——–The house with the purple bicycle, green foliage and blue shutters is fabulous.

    I love the idea of Hemingway laying in his tub writing inside his head while soaking in warm bath water…. So Cool.

    Great post. I’d definitelty travel to Key West, Monica :))

    • Yep, the house with the purple bike is my favorite, hands-down. I’m so glad you want to go. I know with those boots Mr. Liverpool gave you, and that cutie-patootie hat of yours, you’d be stylin’ in the Keys! 😉

    • Glad you found my blog. Oh, you’re going to love, love, LOVE your trip to Key West! I’m so happy for you. When you do, I hope you take lots of pictures and post them so we can see. Have fun!

  24. Your photos are beautiful, especially the collage. That should be hanging in your writing office! I like the house with the blue shutters, huge front porch, and purple bike, too. It kind of reminds me of something you’d see on Mackinac Island, Michigan.As for your Rick saga, would it work to delve into your mixed feelings at going back home, wondering if you’d done the right thing, waiting for G to say or do something that would make you question your choice even more?? Just trying to help!

    • I know! I think I’m going to order a print of my collage. I think one of the reasons I like Key West is that I’m very fond of bright colors and much of Key West is painted in bright colors, like the shutters. It’s one of the reasons I couldn’t stop taking pictures!

      As for my Road Taken saga, thanks for the suggestion. I like it!

  25. Great pictures! They really capture the spirit of the island. The first vacay my wife and I ever went on was to Key West, so it’s one of our fav places. 🙂

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