Sept key west

We have been letting the days slip away in the ol' Key West fashion by taking long walks around the base, relaxing outdoors with the cats, a couple of dips in the sea, watching sunsets, and occasionally going downtown.  It's rough, we know!  

We have also watched several people come and go since we got here.  Most are on vacations while some like to spend time here only during the summer.  We are in agreement that winter time is better as far as weather goes, but it has also been nice for the low number of occupied sites for the first couple of months.  That will be ending soon.

So, what have we been doing for entertainment lately.  Actually, we have been going downtown about once a week just for a change of scenery.  Otherwise, we are quite happy with staying on base.

 

 Parking is hard to find free in the downtown area so we have been parking near the Eco Discovery Center.  Also, a great place to visit and learn about our oceans and how they are rebuilding living reefs.

Mama Hen and chicks inside the Truman Annex

Anyway, this location is located towards the southwest side of town.  From there we can walk north towards the busier area of Key West.  We get to walk through this tree lined neighborhood called the Truman Annex on our way towards Duval St.  (Named for President Truman). We often see roosters and hens along the way.

Truman Annex

On this day we walked to the Key West Lighthouse located across the street from Ernest Hemingway's house on Whitehead.  This is the second lighthouse that was built taller, further inland and unto higher ground (14 ft) after the first one was destroyed during the 1846 hurricane.

After visiting the lighthouse, we walked up to the Customs House.  With two stories of art and history to view, we were worn out.  Not bad for one day of just enjoying Key West considering both were offering a free admittance fee during the summer for military active duty and retirees.

One of our friends suggested we visit the Key West Wildlife Center.  They know us well!  They share our interest in all the wildlife, not to mention, our love for cats.  They are cat owners and they foster kittens for the Florida Keys SPCA.  Sandy says she would end up adopting all of them...then she really would be the Crazy Cat Lady.

Ibis with a twisted bill - poor baby!

The Wildlife Center rescues and rehabilitates all wildlife including chickens. According to one volunteer, home owners will get tired of the chickens and ask for them to be removed.

They are captured and sent to farms in central Florida where they happily spend their days hunting  bugs.

We did not see the sick or hurt animals.  All the animals we saw were big beggars following us along the walkway.

Even the turtles came swimming over looking for a handout.  Sorry we did not bring any food with us.  Maybe next time we will be better prepared for feeding them.  There is no fee, but donations are appreciated.

We also visited one of our favorite places - the Key West Garden Club in the West Martello Tower.

The KW Garden Club did a fantastic job of building and growing a garden paradise on an old fort property.  

We can still see parts of the old fort while wandering along the many paths.

We have eaten a couple of times at Amigos Tortilla Bar.  They have excellent veggie burritos with a great view of the street for people watching.

Here are a few more views of Key West during our walks...

Outside of BO's Fish Wagon

Cruise ship near Mallory Square

Walking along the harbor boardwalk on the north end.

So far, we have been lucky with this hurricane season.  We have only had one warning to be packed and ready to leave when notified.  We hope that will be the only time.  

Another lovely sunset

In a couple of weeks, things will start to pick up with more festivals and people.  In the meantime, we are going to enjoy our last couple of weeks of quiet paradise time.
Happy Trails!