Life on the only Caribbean Islands in the US

 Key Wild

We have finally settled into the tropical lifestyle. I must say going to bed when its warm and waking up in warmth and is really to my liking. I can honestly say I have not missed the change of seasons, especially winter. Then there is the turquoise colored water that does something magical to the soul the longer you stare at it. One thing for sure is it makes one thirsty for one of those tropical drinks like Pain Killers.

For those of you who have been to the Virgin Islands you know what I a talking about. Another thing I have come to realize is if we lived here I would definitely take up fishing. It is hard to go out and not catch something. The other day we watched a 26’ center console off load their catch of Spanish Mackerel. Almost 150 fish with a total weight of about 1200 lbs. They were actually commercial fishing but still. I my meandering around the little nooks and crannies of Stock Island I have found the working part of the island which no surprise is mostly centered around the fishing industry. Fish, Lobster and Stone Crab seem to top the list.

Back in the yards Latinos are the rule. Painting pot bouys, making crab or lobster pots, fixing nets and tinkering on boats. There is a whole sub culture here. But all is not well when you really get to the heart of what makes these islands run. What I am referring to is the service and entertainment industry. As we have all seen the explosion of real estate values, here on the Keys it is greatly exaggerated.

The cost of housing is blistering if you can find it. With the advent of Airbnb and the likes, long term rental properties are simply not available. As a property owner here why would you rent your little shack for say $3000 per month long term when you can get $350 a night for vacation rental. Case in point as to the effect this is having. Mallory Square. Anyone who has been here knows it is the epicenter of the nightly sunset celebration.

It attracts hordes of people and used to have numerous tip harvesting street entertainers. Largely they are gone. They can no longer afford to make ends meet. This is having a ripple effect through the whole service industry. Who will be here to clean your room, refill your water glass, pick up the trash??? It will be interesting to see how especially Key West deals with these social and economic challenges.

For us, being water vagabonds, we get to enjoy what is here and right now there is plenty to see and do. 

One of the first places we went to was the Hemingway Home. The 67 six toed cats on property really did not wow me. What did was the lifestyle that Earnest lived. When he was living here he basically would write in the morning, fish in the afternoon then meet his buddies at Sloppy Joes for happy hour.

He was reportedly an accomplished fisherman. 

On Monday January 30th John and Megan Gawne joined us for a couple of days of fun in the sun. It turned out that the Key Western Music Festival was starting on Tuesday. The did a Duval street concert to open the event.

We were fortunate to be able to get a slip right in Key West Bight for two nights so we could be right in the heart of the action. To say we had fun was an understatement. On Tuesday we were joined by Canadian Looper Friends Randy and Julie. On Wednesday we biked around KW. Our travels took us to an old fort called West Martello Tower on the south end of the island right on Higgs Beach. Yes contrary to popular belief there is a sand beach here which is pretty nice. So this Martello Tower is remnants of an old fort that was never completed.

The Key West Garden Club has taken it over and planted many beautiful tropical plants and trees on the site. It was very well done. They frequently hold events like weddings there. 

The other fort we toured was on Truman Annex called Fort Zachary.

During the civil war it was under Union control that they used as a headquarters for naval blockades. The interesting fact about this place was that during one of the later renovations they used the cannons as fill. So basically they were buried in sand which actually preserved them.  One type of cannon was called a parrot gun which was capable of firing a 300 lb ordinate 17 miles. 

One thing for sure there is so much to see and do in Key West. By the way did I mention that the place is infested with chickens? Yep they are everywhere.

The lore has it that they are descendants of Jungle fowl from Cuba that back in the day were used in cock fighting. The roosters are actually quite beautiful with vibrant colorful plumage but very noisy. 

                                                    Yep its Wild all right

                         

Sue and Megan having fun

                       My new Serbian drinking buddy 

Water is sooo beautiful