Key West, Fun Stuff and of Course, A Sunset:: Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Key West is small, but, is PACKED with fun and interesting things to do.  One of the things we chose to do was to visit the Little White House:

No photos are allowed in the house during the tours, did snag this nice photo of the outside:

It is well worth the small fee we paid for a guided tour.  Don't miss it if you are in the area.

We also walked around the area near the Mallory seaport area.  Nearby is the Old Post Office and Customshouse which is the official headquarters for the Key West Art & Historical Society.  We only walked around the outside where this great life like art was.

This was just a bit larger than real life, you will know why I say, just a little larger, when you see another piece:

Sony III zoomed in on this little girl having a sandwich:

And, then there was this couple dancing:

Maybe this will give you an idea of the true size of our dancers:

According to RoadsideAmerica dot com, this is a "huge Seward Johnson statue of a man and woman in full formal evening attire ballroom dancing, based on the Renoir painting "A Dance at Bougival."

And, the sunset.  We went to the Mallory Square for sunset.  It was fun.  Food. Entertainment. And way too many people.  I was shooting this magnificent sunset over the heads of hoardes of people.

Still managed to get a few nice photos, we do love sunsets!

We have one more day to discover what we can at Key West.  We found another fort/museum and let the day surround us in atmosphere,  including of course, food.



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Ernest Hemingway Home Tour, Cats, Kitties, and More Cats:: Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Our second full day at Key West was spent seeing as much as we could, of course.  We started the day at the Ernest Hemingway Home.  When I reviewed the photos, it became evident, that it was more cats than house photos.  The kitties there are reportedly descendants from the cats owned by Ernest.  There are 40-50 polydactyl (six-toed) cats living at the house at any time.  They are well cared for, well loved, visited by the vet frequently.  They eat and live well.

They even have a variety of "homes".

OHHH, a pretty flower:

This Calico seems to be giving me the stink eye, as if to say, "really, person, must you take MORE photos of me?"

And, yes, there is a kitty cemetery:

Marilyn Monroe, Jimmy Stewart, Mark Twain, Ava Gardner and many others are buried here:

Even Errol Flynn, thrown in a Gremlin for good measure.

Kitty and lovely tropical foliage:

In the house, furniture, with notes to not sit on the couch, do believe the kitties are allowed.

They are allowed on the breakfront:

Even the artwork is full of kitties.

And, yes, the curtains as well.  Look closely.  No, I am pretty sure these were not here during Hemingway's years.

This kitty found a quiet spot.

The writing space, can you hear the walls speak??

This kitty says, see ya later, I'm going to go lay in the sun somewhere, in the place I call home.

So, if you ever get to Key West, do not miss the tour of the Hemingway house.



*  Obviously, there is controversy in all things.  Even kitties in Key West.  Article from 2012.

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When Jolly is Too Big, Rent a Little Car, Key West Florida:: Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

A place like Key West can be a difficult drive and parking experience with Jolly, the wide butt big and bad towing machine. So for day 2, we rented this car, errr, golf cart, or whatever they call them.  No trouble parking this baby IF you can find a spot.

We first drove right over for a tour of the Hemingway House.  During the next hours we saw houses, drove by the cemetery, where we could not locate a parking spot (probably a good thing, I might still be grave hopping, ya know?).  We took in the Harry Truman Little White House tour.  We took the little car back to the rental office, plugged it in for a recharge, drove back to the campground for Sir Winston duties.  When we went back to town, Sir Winston went with us and had his first cart ride.  We worried if the noise might upset him, or the wind in his face, but he did quite well.  We parked, we walked, we stopped at Sloppy Joe's for a drink and a bite to eat.  Sunset was taken in at Mallory Square and then we drove around town for a couple more hours.  

It was a great way to see Key West.  I'll bring you several posts with the pictures of the day.  You know the saying, stay tuned.

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Key West, South and the West Martello Tower Gardens:: Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

During our visit to Key West in December of 2015, we drove by the "southern most point" in the US.  We did not stop. There was a line to get to the marker so you could take your photo there.  Parking was not good and well, I just did not need the photo.  Instead, I took a photo as we turned the corner and bought the sticker!  LOL

After a delightful lunch on the beach we walked a few feet to the West Martello Tower Gardens.  The tower is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.  The Key West Garden Club is heavily involved in the West Martello gardens and has a very interesting page on the history. The foliage and some flowers and seeds were lush, of course.

One thing I enjoyed about this particular garden was the number of places to sit for a spell, and it seems that everyone had it's own special charm and decorations.

This guy was enjoying his solitude and was reading a book.  I tried not to disturb him.

And, there was this strangler fig.  Huge, amazing.  And, you can walk through it too!

Just outside was the Atlantic Ocean.  You can see the affects of the "tropical-like" climate. Lush, green, and huge plants. We enjoyed our brief stop here.

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Struttin' Rooster, Key West Florida: Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

In December 2015 Man and I paid a 4 night visit to Key West Florida.

The critters, domesticated and semi-domesticated pretty much have free run if you believe these photos.  Taken coming out of Fort Taylor, mid day.

He just strutted on down the street, bothering no one and no one bothering much with him either.

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Fort Taylor, Key West, Florida: Keep Them Wheels a Rolling - Winter 2015-2016

Copyright 2016, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Back in mid December 2015, Man and I visited Key West Florida for 4 nights.  Bucket list item.  Fort Zachary Taylor is there as well.  (I have Taylor's in my heritage, no, he is not on my data base, but, I still am always more interested when a family name shows up. The Taylor clan is large.  Some genie sites have Zachary as a descendant of John Taylor, born 1607 in merry ole England, died early 1650s in Lancaster County Virginia.  I have reason to believe that I too, am a descendant of this John Taylor.  If all research was done with diligence and care and proved these suppositions correct, then, Zachary and I are VERY distant cousins.)

Of course, we had to visit.  And, we would actually visit again, the sunsets are stunning from the beach.

But, first, the fort, where we leisurely toured.

Cannons, cannonballs and such are usually displayed at old fort sites, they are here as well.  I always am amazed, these cannons could launch these cannon balls a mile or more??  Do you ever try to envision the impact??  Dramatic.

On top of the walls, you can see the placement of where the cannons were installed.

This fellow was showing off his stuff outside this open window:

Inside, more cannons.  We were somewhat confused by dogs vs no dogs.  We were told at the gate we could take Sir Winston any where in the park, leashed, of course.  Of course.  At the entrance to the fort, there was a sign, no dogs. We opted for the gate guards approval.  GULP.  LOL

Cannon:

Some of the rooms had displays, like rooms for prayers and church services and dining areas.

This room was blocked off, no entry.  As you can tell from the white dust, this portion of the fort was in need of some tender loving care and repairs.

The new vs the old.  I love the contrast.

Fort Taylor was built in 1845.  It was 3 stories tall.  It had 140 cannon and about 450 soldiers.  It remained under Federal control throughout the Civil War.  In about 1898 the top two stories were removed.  It was still active through the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, finally removed from service in 1947.  There is a web site maintained by the Florida State Parks.



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