Keys vacation - second half

Wednesday the cold snap really kicked in, with more crazy wind gusts, so we abandoned any ideas of water-based activities and drove down to Key West to explore that interesting city. While Key West is probably the primary destination for most people heading to the Keys, we weren't planning on it. From what we had read, other than the usual Keys on-the-water activities, the primary reason to go to Key West was to imbibe as many adult beverages as one could possibly consume. And let me tell you, it's hard enough to go on vacation and not be able to have a glass of wine with dinner, let alone going to a place with an atmosphere often compared to Mardi Gras!

But we were intrigued enough to check it out, and drove the approximately two hours down the lovely highway 1, enjoying the views along the way. We stopped at Sombrero Beach, one of the few actual beaches anywhere in the Keys. It did not disappoint, so we took the opportunity to stretch our legs and enjoy the sun and view, as well as some odd rock formations where a few fishermen were trying their luck.

We had heard quite a bit about the accepting atmosphere of Key West, and the people it attracts, but our best experience with that was actually when we stopped for lunch before even reaching Key West. In the old and not-trendy restaurant we went to (we had to stop... pregnancy hunger had taken over) we were greeted by a slender man in his sixties wondering if we were at the restaurant to play bridge. While that in itself is a bit unusual, it was his attire that caught our attention: skin-tight green sweater topped with an equally snug cropped denim vest (yes, it ended around his rib cage). The kicker: a pair of polyester black pleated pants, with a black thong worn over the pants. Yes, you read that right - over his pants. It's an interesting look - you should try it.

Key West was fascinating. It is, of course, beautiful, surrounded by the most gorgeous turquoise water. Duvall Street, the main thoroughfare lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, was dotted with art-deco style buildings and other interesting architecture. But sure enough, it was the people-watching that kept us entertained. We mostly just wandered around town, watching people drive by in golf carts clutching a can of Bud, or stroll down Duvall with a paper-bag covered bottle. We learned from a (slightly tipsy) woman at a restaurant bar that while Key West does, in fact, have an open container law, they don't really enforce it unless you are toting glass around, or acting out in some way. I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen so many 50+ year old drunk people in one place before. Well, maybe at a bonspiel. :) Scott took the opportunity to throw back a few, and I got to indulge in some ice cream after we considered these enormous cookies on display.

^ Typical appearance of a Key West bar; the southernmost point of the continental US - only 90 miles to Cuba! The funniest thing was that people had voluntarily formed an orderly line, waiting to take their picture with this spot. I had no idea tourists could be so polite! And, since neither Scott nor I is in the picture, you can tell neither of us had the patience or desire to stand in line so we could stand next to this particular landmark. The top photo is from the roof of the tallest building in Key West - gorgeous views, complete with serenades from roaming roosters.

We spent our last day, on our way to the airport, checking out South Beach in Miami. I'd heard so much about that area, the clubs, the well-dressed people, etc. And it did not disappoint! And the beach - wow! I don't know that I've ever seen such a wide, immensely long beach. If only it hadn't been windy and 67 degrees. But we enjoyed our time strolling the streets, checking out the art deco buildings, and watching the interesting people stroll by as we ate our lunch outside. We also took a scenic route back up to Fort Lauderdale, often winding our way through some neighborhoods, and wow - did we see some amazing homes!

^The gorgeous South Beach; "art" created with Red Bull cans. Only in South Beach??

In summary, our trip was fantastic. To get away, just the two of us, without a minute's worry about Zach, was just what we needed to get ready for the next few months of sleep deprivation and life being all about the kids!