Loop Life with Greg and Reenie: MORE ...KEY WEST

Ahoy family, friends and blog followers :)

Yes, we have thoroughly enjoyed Key West, for almost three months. Our original reservation was from December 10th to January 10th at A & B Marina. Once the holidays were over we realized another month here would be perfect. A & B Marina was full, so Captain Greg checked with the Galleon Marina (next door). We got lucky and secured another month in paradise! To make a long story short that month turned into (almost) another month. Now, we are celebrating a Key West sunset and preparing to depart tomorrow morning. (As always, weather permitting :).

Key West is a tiny island, only four miles long by one mile wide. It is the southern most point in the continental United States, 160 miles from Miami and 90 miles to Cuba. Duval is the Main Street, 1.1 miles long (14 blocks) crossing from The Gulf of Mexico to The Atlantic Ocean.
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Key West is famous for it’s laid back, free spirited, artistic and quirky lifestyle (Yes, you guessed it...we fit right in). At the same time, it’s very scenic island with lush exotic tropical folage and surrounded by azure water and coral reefs. There are also museums, historic buildings and national landmarks. The island boasts many music and theater venues. There are endless happy hours and restaurants to suit everyone’s budget and taste buds. For centuries this tiny island has welcomed visitors and vacation seekers. Key West has always been a place where you can be yourself, find yourself or reinvent yourself. In our short three months here we have discovered Key West to be extremely welcoming and one of our favorite, most unique places in the World.

Key West was originally discovered in 1521 by Spanish explorer Ponce del Leon. It was named Cayo Hueso (bone Key). In 1815 the Spanish Governor of Cuba deeded the island to Navel Officer, Juan Salas. Florida was transferred back to the United States in 1821. Salas then sold the island two times! First for a sloop valued at $575, then to businessman John Simenton, for $2,000 in pesos. Simenton had many influential friends in Washington and secured title to the island. In 1822 America made claim to Key West. By the 1830’s Key West was the richest city per capital in the United States.

During the American Civil War, Florida seceded and joined the Confederate States of America. Key West remained in The US Union hands. Fort Zachary Taylor (constructed from 1845-1866) in Key West, was an important post during the Civil War. In the 1860’s and 70’s many Cubans sought refuge in Key West (during an unsuccessful War for Independence). A 1886 fire which started at a cigar factory, destroyed most buildings in Key West. Still in 1889, Key West was the wealthiest city in Florida.

In more modern times the Overseas Railroad linked Key West to the mainland in 1912. The Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935. The Overseas Highway, an extension of Route 1 in Florida, was completed in 1938. In 1926, Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West, to fly visitors to Cuba.

Key West is has a long list of many famous visitors and residents. Just to name a few: John Audubon, Jimmy Buffet, Ernest Hemingway, Calvin Kline, Tennessee Williams, President Harry Truman, Diana Nyah (swam from Cuba to Key West)...and more :)

When riding our bikes around Key West we can almost imagine...the 1830’s glamour of Key West, the historic mansions, Cuban refugees rolling cigars on the street corner, President Truman relaxing in the Little White House, and Ernest Hemingway holding court in the corner pub or loading a cannon at Fort Zachery.

Today we were busy getting Thistle ready for the next segment of our Great American Loop! Tonight we go to sleep with anticipation, excitement and a huge smile on our faces reminiscing about the lifetime memories we experienced in Key West!

Sweet Dreams XO

Looper Tip: We think Key West has been one of our all time favorite ports on the Loop! You need to make a reservation about one year in advance....and it is much more reasonable to rent a boat slip by the month :)...We experienced some cold weather, wind and rain in December & January. We suggest February as an ideal month to visit Key West by boat. After long Looper days on the Rivers and a stressful overnight Gulf crossing ... it is truly a perfect month or two or three stop on the Great American Loop. We were fortunate to have up to 15 other Loopers visiting Key West at the same time! Beware, there are many different layers of Key West ... Enjoy!