Key West (February 1-4, 2016)

One of the plans all along for this vacation was to get to Key West, where one of my best friends, Truby LaGarde, and her husband, Paul Lambertson, spend every January for four weeks. Because Paul is a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, they get to stay at a military resort on the key. Paul was in my Social Studies department when I first showed up to teach at Catoctin High School back in 1976, making him one of the people I've known longer than almost anyone else in my life. Truby came into the picture about 1980, and since we worked on a county commissioner political campaign in the late 1980's we've been really good friends. She and I both lamented my not being close to her anymore once we moved to Portland. Anyway, their being in Key West made this a focal point of our trip.

Key West is (in)famous for its chickens. They are absolutely everywhere!

First night's sunset in Key West.

We met Truby and Paul for dinner at Salute on the Beach.

Surprised by chickens roosting at eye level.

The trailer Truby and Paul rent for a month.

I asked Truby to show me Key west through her eyes, so we walked and walked.

One of Truby's favorites.

Happy hour baked oysters and stone crabs outdoors...life is good!

I'd been fighting a chest cold for several days at this point and was feeling pretty punk. Decided a visit to urgent care was called for, thought I might have walking pneumonia (no, but they did give me cough syrup with codeine - yuck). I managed to keep up with Truby (and Allen and Paul), but being sick definitely colored my time in Key West. I certainly never thought I'd spend three days there and not drink a drop of alcohol!

Allen and Paul definitely had some good conversations!

Sunset at Mallory Square

I took a trolley tour to make up for not doing so much sightseeing when I didn't feel well. Learned Key West was more than doubled in size during WWII when the navy needed longer landing strips. Marl, a mixture of limestone, sand, seashells, was dredged from ?? and depositing in order to enlarge the island.

Frednecks in Key West

Key West's historic cemetery

Cuban military members burial plot

Happy hour at our hotel. Someone had to use the drink coupons we were given!

Last night dinner @ Southernmost Cafe, right on the windy beach...perfect food and setting!