Lots of bicycling and walking these past couple of days! After reading William McKeen’s book (twice, actually) “Mile Marker Zero,” I compiled a list of places to see and visit. This book has enhanced our time here in Key West, as did Jon Breakfield’s books for our stay here four years ago (I was happy to see that Popcorn Joe and Alberto are still here). Here’s our sightseeing progress as we work down the list.

After lunch we went over to the Green Parrot to see who’s performing in the days ahead.

After securing the bikes on the deck of the boat, we went for a swim, then grilled those steaks! 5.5 miles today. ***********************

Friday morning (2/28) we hopped on the bikes after taking care of a few morning boat chores, went over to Ram’s Head Southernmost (the restaurant was founded in Annapolis, MD) and enjoyed lunch on the patio along with a “guest” who was wandering through.

Next stop, the bike shop to get a replacement mirror for my bike.  Sharing the streets with cars, tour trains, trolleys, scooters, buses, motorcycles, and pedestrians can be hazardous.  From the bike shop, on to discover another noteworthy spot, Solares Hill, the highest spot on the island. Getting there was half the fun, as we rode through the cemetery and down a few neighboring side streets (Catholic Lane being one of them – located, naturally, at the edge of the Catholic section of the cemetery).

We met some interesting people along the way, then enjoyed the downhill ride from there. We dropped the bikes at the boat, changed clothes, then walked over to The Green Parrot to hear the Honey Island Swamp Band. Coming from New Orleans, their sound is described as “Bayou Americana” blended with, I would say, gritty blues and country rock.

Time for dinner, and we chose Mexican tonight, just a few blocks away.

Adios! By the time we got back to the boat, we “clocked” a 5.2 mile day. ***********************

2/29 – once every four years! Also a rare occasion, stopping at a Waldorf Astoria Hotel!  How do you start your day in a hardware store (and, it’s an excellent one – Strunk Ace Hardware) and end up in an iconic place like this?!  The Casa Marina was Flagler’s “icing on the cake” after completing his railroad south. 

From the Casa Marina, we bicycled over to Mallory Square, then on to Fausto’s to get something for dinner, then back to the boat. 8.5 miles today!

Celebrating the 29th!