February 15, 2012 Key West

Key West is the southernmost point in the United States. However, that is not its only claim to fame. Beautiful beaches, great seafood, historic homes, and anything and everything that a tropical tourist town can offer is there: sailing charters, fishing charters, jet ski rentals, sunset cruises, glass bottom boat tours, not to mention the many opportunities to be guided through the city by various tour operators.

Instead of jumping on a tour train or doing a walking tour, we decided to rent an electric car for the duration of our stay in Key West. Unfortunately, our stay was a brief one...a mere four hours...as we traveled to Key West via the Key West Express, a high speed ferry service that travels to Key West from Ft. Myers. The ferry leaves at 8:30 am, arrives in Key West at 12:30 and departs at 6:00, docking in Ft. Myers at 10:30. Since we had to get up at 4:30 am and didn't get back to Venice until 11:30 pm it was a very long day, particularly since the ferry was crowded and good seats were at a premium.

Driving the electric car around the town was a blast. We had a map and a mental list of the things we wanted to see and do and so there was no time to spare. First thing on the list: a good cup of coffee, which we found at an open air combination laundry/Cuban coffee shop where a rooster roamed freely. The Key West cemetery was next. It is unique in that most burials are in above ground tombs and some bear quirky inscriptions such as, “I told you I was sick.”

We visited the point that marks the southernmost part of the United States, took a couple of pictures at Hemingway’s house including one of a Hemingway cat, walked on the pier at the beach, and ate a yummy fish lunch at Bo's a restaurant, a structure that is built partially of hurricane debris. The electric car enabled us to drive up and down some narrow lanes and see where the locals live. We walked along the waterfront boardwalk, admiring all of the yachts and parked illegally as the parking attendant wanted $15 for one hour of parking.

Although I am glad to have seen Key West, I have no desire to return. It takes too long to get there. Key West is for tourists.