Concerned about the liklihood of over-eating on a cruise ship, I went ahead and skipped breakfast altogether on the morning of Tuesday, February 8, 2011. The ship was beginning the process of docking in Key West, Florida that morning as I woke up, and by the time Mom & Bob went to eat and I got up and ready, it was time to de-board for our first land stop of the voyage. I hadn’t been to Key West since 1996 – at which time I saw virtually nothing, so there were several things on my checklist that I wanted to check out during the short duration that we would be here.
We got off the ship at about 8:45am and took a tram from the docking point into the town where we could have easily caught a tour tram or some such nonsense. I suggested that we rough it on foot. So we grabbed a map and head into the city, in search of several key spots in Key West.
Our ship as we debarked
Pointing out this deliciously-named restaurant, where my cousin Rob used to work
At the train station, so to speak
If I could somehow only make that 90-mile jaunt…
The first place we came upon was one of the most vital: Harry Truman’s Little White House, the winter home of the former President for 175 days during his administration over the course of 11 visits. We toured the location, which I will chronicle more in-depth in the future when I get to the official Harry S. Truman posting.
Out side Harry S Truman’s Little White House
We then cut over to Duval Street and hit the local Hard Rock Cafe, which would be my third Hard Rock of the year, 34th overall. This one was probably the most unique Hard Rock I’ve seen thus far, being located in a former house (later turned nightclub). It was generally a point of interest on the ‘Haunted Key West’ tour as well. Oddly enough, it had originally opened just a little over two months after my previous visit to Key West in 1996.
We had to wait for a few minutes for it to open up at 11am. Thankfully Mom was able to pick up her souvenirs for her ‘my friend Connie’. Mom and Bob understandably chose not to eat lunch here and got only dessert. I went all in with the mushroom and swiss burger and some key lime pie in a cup. Then we did a tour of the ‘house’ and checked out some of the memorabilia.
Getting ready to enter Hard Rock Cafe #34
My third Hard Rock of the trip (and the year) was one of the most unique I had ever seen
Enjoying an early lunch under some Jimmy Buffett memorabilia
Autographed LP record sleeve of Pink Floyd’s The Wall
Paul McCartney guitar given to him as a gift from George and Ringo – and the famous and rare “Butcher Block” album cover
Signed by Ringo, John, and George, this menu was for a special dinner following the Royal World Premier of their film Help!
Mom, Bob, and I then crossed back over to Whitehead Street and began walking south, checking out mile marker ONE, the Kapok Tree, and the home of Ernest Hemingway. He lived in this location from 1931-1939, creating some of his best work – including the final draft of A Farewell to Arms – here. We didn’t tour it; I just got a photo with the exterior.
Fun with a Marilyn Statue in front of a restored movie theater
Mile Marker 0 of Highway 1 that terminates on the Northside in Fort Kent, Maine
Under the giant local Kapok Tree, sacred tree of the Mayan people who believed that souls of the dead climbed a mythical Kapok whose branches reached into heaven
In front of the Ernest Hemingway home, into which we didn’t enter
One of the other tourist spots I had always hoped to see was the marker indicating the Southernmost Point of the continental United States. A concrete replica of a giant bouy, this spot had a decent-sized line of tourists who wanted to get a picture with it – all of them taking far longer than was necessary.
As per usual, the spot is actually inaccurate. There are no less than five identified spots that are further south than this point including: U.S. Navy land on the Truman Annex, private yards and the beach in the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, the seaward end of the White Street Pier, and finally – the privately owned Ballast Key, some ten miles west of Key West. Additionally, it is more like 94 miles to Cuba. But who’s counting?
The famous Southernmost Point marker in Key West, which naturally is wrong
The three of us then began to head back up Whitehead Street for the long return walk to the Conch Tour Train Depot, where we’d catch the tram to take us back to the ship. We didn’t really stop anywhere else (other than a couple of souvenir shops), but we noted some of the famous hot spots along the way: The Naval Air Station, The Strand theatre (now a Walgreens), the original Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sloppy Joe’s Bar, and of course, Wendy’s (so Mom could buy a soda). We got back to the tour train depot and caught it by 1pm.
This may look like a theater, but it is actually Walgreens store. Apparently there are some strict rules in Key West about putting up any modern-looking buildings.
We didn’t waste away here in Key West, but we’d have another opportunity the next day in Cozumel. But this is where it all started in 1985.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Key West, founded in 1832, is the oldest in the Florida Diocese. This present church building s the fourth on this site and dates back to 1912.
Ending our day in Key West, we head back to the Conch Tour Train Depot
Back on the boat, we decided that we were going to try and lay out by the pool. Since Mom & Bob hadn’t eaten yet, they stopped for lunch, while I went and scouted a spot to lay out. It was a bit windy and chilly but I did manage to gather some sun for my winter-white body whilst listening to the National and Panic at the Disco on my iPod. Unfortunately, I misplaced the folks and never found them by the pool. Worse yet, they had my key. But eventually, I headed to the room to find them there.
That evening was the formal dinner in the Pride dining room. Whereas on my last (and only) cruise, I had brought a jacket to wear, this time I settled on a mere shirt and tie. Bob had the same idea, only he splashed toothpaste all over his shirt and pants, so Mom had to give him a blow-dry job.
When toothbrushing goes awry
In lieu of buying a professional photo in their snazzy garb, I took this nice pic of Bob and Mom
Although our ship was really swaying by this point, it didn’t bother any of the three of us, but it was enough to send Vanessa, then Ricki, and finally their Mom Deanna away from dinner and back to their rooms. I however enjoyed the Prosciutto Ruffles, West Indian Roasted Pumpkin Soup, Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail, and for the entree Martini Braised Basa Fillet and Duet of Broild Maine Lobster and Grilled Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp. Didn’t hold back much on this meal, but did go with the lighter fare Grand Marnier Souffle for dessert.
Showing the sun that we got that afternoon at the fancy-shmancy dinner
After dinner, we got out of our monkey suits, I checked the internet, and then we all went to the Dynasty Lounge for the Punchliner Comedy Club presention of two comedians. First up was Happy Cole at 9:45. Then we had to exit and re-enter the lounge to watch Frank Del Pizo at 11pm. Both were funny, although relatively dirty, but I preferred Del Pizo of the two. We’d catch him one more time on our last night.
Bob and Mom imbibe during the comedy show
I stick to the fancy frozen concoctions
Hanging with Happy Cole after the show
After that it was off to bed to get rested up for our second and final shore excursion of the trip.
The cruise will continue in Cozumel, Mexico…
Was mom covering Bob’s toothpaste stain with her hand in “this nice pic of Bob and Mom”?
Denise
April 7th, 2011
Yes, I would have loved to have seen Bob’s toothpaste mess, not just the clean up.
Peter
April 7th, 2011
What specifically were you pointing at in that Marilyn Monroe picture??
Jim Harwood
April 8th, 2011