Key West

In the search for winter warmth on the East Coast, the ultimate destination is the end of U.S. Route 1 at Key West, Florida. And, as Jimmy Buffet suggests, changing one's latitude also changes one's attitude. We had only a couple of days to enjoy "Margaritaville" before heading north again and we made the best of them. Tracey even dolled up for the occasion and rustled up some oysters on the half shell ...


We met up with our friend Emalyn, second from left below, who lives in Key West. She took us to a party at her neighbor's house and we got to meet her visiting relatives, Jane and Matt.


The next evening we ate a great meal of oysters (grilled for Tracey, raw for Joe) and clam chowder at the waterside Conch Republic and later caught the sunset at Mallory Square, a Key West tradition.





Once the sun had set, we enjoyed the street performers along the wharf area. Each evening there are singers, jugglers, fire eaters and an assortment of others who entertain for tips. The fellow in the red shirt below challenged audience members to lock him in a web of chains from which he escaped in short order all the while keeping up a stream of patter that had everyone laughing and hanging around for more.



Afterward, we walked along crowded Duval Street and caught singer/guitarists singing in open-front bars, perused art galleries, and generally soaked up the carefree atmosphere.



And closed down the town ...



While in Key West, we stayed at the El Mar RV Resort, a small campground that afforded us a nice water view ...