Key West

From September 7th to 10th, we went to spend a few days in the Keys, in Key West more precisely.

A unique place to celebrate my change of decade. Thank you my darling for this magical moment in this wonderful place. I couldn't have dreamed of anything better.

The keys are above all a road…

At the beginning of the 20th century, you had to take a boat to go to the Keys. The construction of a railway began in 1905 and was completed in 1912. In 1935, following a phenomenal hurricane, part of the railway was demolished. The track was then abandoned and a road was built following part of the route of the old railway. The Overseas Highway was born. 182 km long (including 162 at sea), it was completed in 1938.

It is also the southernmost part of US 1, a road that runs along the entire east coast of the United States. It officially begins on Whitehead Street in Key West, at the intersection with Fleming Street and goes up to the Canadian border in Maine.

But it is also an original city…

Key West is a conch-style town, a mix of Victorian architecture and a tropical touch. It is the southernmost city in the United States, just 90 miles from Cuba.

With an extraordinary “Sun set” and “Night life”…

You don't go to Key West for the beaches, you go to see the sunset and then party!

Every night, the crowd gathers on Mallory Pier or takes a boat to watch the ever-changing sunset show.

Then let the party begin! Bars and restaurants of all sizes rub shoulders along Duval St. We even found the smallest bar in the world!!!

The place of residence of Mr. Ernest Hemingway…

A little culture never hurt anyone. We visited the home of Ernest Hemingway, journalist, writer, cat lover and much more. This man left his mark on the city even though he only lived there for a few years from 1931 to 1939.

His house is now a popular tourist site but also a haven for a colony of cats. They are at home here.

With original local fauna…

Everywhere in the city, but everywhere, there are roosters and hens. They move freely and everyone tolerates them. Needless to say, I was not always very comfortable. Those who know me know why…

At the hotel we also had iguanas, including a big one, which was clearly at home. The guests did not give him any trouble.

And state parks…

Along US 1, there are several state parks. We stopped for a swim at Bahia Honda Park, a nature reserve, near the town of Marathon. The beach is not nearly as beautiful as the one we have near our home in Pompano Beach, but it is wilder.