I have been fascinated with Key West for years.  I have thought about Key West often as Jimmy Buffett is usually in my CD player or on my MP3.   I actually drug out an old journal to read what I wrote. I actually had plans to leave Yellowstone and go to Key West when I finished my contract in the park.  Well, that was not in the cards, but I never stopped wanting to visit the island and after our short visit, I am eager to return during warmer weather and to get out on the water.  It took us eight hours of rainy driving to get to the Keys from Orlando. The views on the way down would have been great had the weather been better.  After we left the mainland, the water turned to the most green that I have ever seen. It was almost eerie.  It took us about 3 and half hours to drive from the mainland to Key West.  We went through a bunch of keys and wished that the weather was better so that we could have stopped more often.  We finally got to Key West and were thrilled with our hotel.  We stayed at the Truman Hotel in Old Town Key West on Truman Street, and it was extremely convenient to all the sights in Key West.  The hotel also has been renovated and would have had a great scene if it would have been more crowded.

Hotel Pool and Bar

When we got to Key West, the weather had cleared and we quickly unpacked and made our way to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration that is held every evening.  Words can not describe how great it was.  Not only was everyone waiting for the sunset but there were street performers, bars, hobos, musicians, and tourists  all around.  Check out the photos of the sunset.

I could watch this every evening.

Would have loved to be on the water

Sunset was quite crowded

Next trip we will be on the water for the sunset

After watching the sunset, we walked down Duval and stopped in a few bars, and then had a great meal.  I had grilled Key West Shrimp, and JJ had a seafood quiche. We also had a batch of conch fritters.  I don’t believe that we had a bad meal the whole time we were in Key West.

Key West Shrimp

Conch Fritters

Duval street was very simliar to Bourbon street.  There were a bunch of different kinds of bars including a few drag bars, very simliar to New Orleans.   I had always heard that there was a large gay population in Key West, but it really was no different from New Orleans.  We walked up and down the street a few times, and then went back to our hotel and enjoyed a few drinks out by the pool.

After the drive and the first sunset, JJ and I both regretted not booking more time in the Keys.  In fact, I am already planning my next trip down there.  My brother and I both want to do some backcountry kayaking.

The next couple of days were filled with sightseeing, drinking, and relaxing.  We also learned a lot about Key West while during a few tours.  There was no need for a car and we walked our took the trolley everywhere we needed to go, but more on that later.

Road Trip Day 5 & 6 coming soon.