If you like the Keys, you'll probably like Carol Garvin. While there are no financial ties here, Carol does in watercolors what I hope to capture with my Nikon.
Hope you like her as much as we do.
http://www.carolgarvin.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Notes from the Conch Republic...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Rx9c3m9Lc
Notes from Old Town in Key West...
1. Watch out for sharks...on the reefs...in the bars.
2. The flower is our favorite, called Plumeria in Hawaii, Frangipani in Florida.
3. Found this monster crab at the restaurant...just outside the back door. Hopin to be a cake???
4. Sunsets at Mallory Square are legendary. Love the Street artists. A celebration of life.
5. No Name key...lots of UNKNOWN history here. North of Key West. Cuban exiles were trained to invade Cuba, conduct paramilitary attacks, and just might have been a CIA training site for the assassination of Castro. There's a bridge to No Name Key now, and upscale homes...I doubt if the residents have any idea. Look out for weapons caches when digging around your backyard.
6. New residents on No Name Key are the Key Deer, who roam freely, and are protected by law.
Drive down the back roads of Big Pine Key or No-Name and have your camera ready.
7. El Siboney restaurant is a delightful Cuban restaurant, we like the roast pork.
8. The Palm Key light is where I once caught a monster Kingfish (3rd place-KW Fishing Tourny).
9. Be sure and shop Duval Street at least once.
10. Parking is expensive, cars unusable. Preferred transportation in Old Town are rented bikes.
11. Of course the Capital of Old Town is Sloppy Joes. One of Hemmingway's favorite pubs. Stop by for a drink. I don't buy their T-shirts. But I love the pair of SJ beer glasses that adorn my bar.
12. Hope you like Tammy & I's Spanish Moss doos.
13. Favorite places to stay are Casa Marina on the upscale side and the Eden House in the moderate range. Save money by going off-season, when its hot. ALWAYS stay in Old Town.
14. Favorite Italian food is Trattoria's on Duval Street.
15. Go down to the old shrimp docks and have Mojitos or Bloody Marys for breakfast. Starts the day off right.
16. Roosters and chickens roam openly in Old Town (though NOT around El Siboney). They've been known to carry "Eat More Beef" signs.
17. Take a sailboat dinner or drinks cruise at sunset.
18. Check out the pirate ships.
19. On the way home, stop in Marathon and take Key Lime Pie to someone you love.
20. Everlasting thanks to Jimmy Buffet, for keeping us all sane.
Signin off from Old Town on our first trip.
Would love to know your thoughts.
Jp
Notes from Old Town in Key West...
1. Watch out for sharks...on the reefs...in the bars.
2. The flower is our favorite, called Plumeria in Hawaii, Frangipani in Florida.
3. Found this monster crab at the restaurant...just outside the back door. Hopin to be a cake???
4. Sunsets at Mallory Square are legendary. Love the Street artists. A celebration of life.
5. No Name key...lots of UNKNOWN history here. North of Key West. Cuban exiles were trained to invade Cuba, conduct paramilitary attacks, and just might have been a CIA training site for the assassination of Castro. There's a bridge to No Name Key now, and upscale homes...I doubt if the residents have any idea. Look out for weapons caches when digging around your backyard.
6. New residents on No Name Key are the Key Deer, who roam freely, and are protected by law.
Drive down the back roads of Big Pine Key or No-Name and have your camera ready.
7. El Siboney restaurant is a delightful Cuban restaurant, we like the roast pork.
8. The Palm Key light is where I once caught a monster Kingfish (3rd place-KW Fishing Tourny).
9. Be sure and shop Duval Street at least once.
10. Parking is expensive, cars unusable. Preferred transportation in Old Town are rented bikes.
11. Of course the Capital of Old Town is Sloppy Joes. One of Hemmingway's favorite pubs. Stop by for a drink. I don't buy their T-shirts. But I love the pair of SJ beer glasses that adorn my bar.
12. Hope you like Tammy & I's Spanish Moss doos.
13. Favorite places to stay are Casa Marina on the upscale side and the Eden House in the moderate range. Save money by going off-season, when its hot. ALWAYS stay in Old Town.
14. Favorite Italian food is Trattoria's on Duval Street.
15. Go down to the old shrimp docks and have Mojitos or Bloody Marys for breakfast. Starts the day off right.
16. Roosters and chickens roam openly in Old Town (though NOT around El Siboney). They've been known to carry "Eat More Beef" signs.
17. Take a sailboat dinner or drinks cruise at sunset.
18. Check out the pirate ships.
19. On the way home, stop in Marathon and take Key Lime Pie to someone you love.
20. Everlasting thanks to Jimmy Buffet, for keeping us all sane.
Signin off from Old Town on our first trip.
Would love to know your thoughts.
Jp
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Key West...
Key West. Founded by Henry Flagler, the billionaire lunatic of Standard Oil and Railroad fame. Wandered the east coast of Florida, built a hotel, connected his railroad, founded a city, and made millions. The hotel in Key West is (still) the Casa Marina. My wife & I honeymooned there 27 years ago. When I first started goin with my dad in the 60's, lobbies were $5, all you can eat. Now they're $32 for 1 skinny tail. Bikers hung out at Sloppy Joes. Military was everywhere. Caught a 27-pound kingfish off Sand Key Light one year. Everyone gathered at Mallory Square to celebrate sunset.
Well, Lobbies (though fewer) are still around. Cuban food has moved in, and Mojitos are pushing Bloody Marys. Sloppy Joes is there, though the bikers have moved on. Flagler's gone, but the Casa Marina just got a face lift. Kingfish are in short supply but I don't fish no more, anyhow. Now I watch fish through my mask. Military has a smaller footprint, but don't look too close. I wouldn't want to be Castro... Of course Mallory Square sunsets are forever.
Hope you like the pics.
Well, Lobbies (though fewer) are still around. Cuban food has moved in, and Mojitos are pushing Bloody Marys. Sloppy Joes is there, though the bikers have moved on. Flagler's gone, but the Casa Marina just got a face lift. Kingfish are in short supply but I don't fish no more, anyhow. Now I watch fish through my mask. Military has a smaller footprint, but don't look too close. I wouldn't want to be Castro... Of course Mallory Square sunsets are forever.
Hope you like the pics.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Mangroves...
So what are mangroves anyway? Well, mangroves are living plants where the continuum of sky, water, shore, roots, and underwater intersect. Mangroves are where new life begins, is nurtured, and sometimes ends. As a third-generation native Floridian, I think I'll wander Florida's back roads (and some front roads as well), and report back in pictures. Let's see if Florida still has the nutrients of the soul in her roots that have made her justly famous. Feel free to comment on your own favorite places, share your stories, comment on mine, or add your own pics as well. Should be fun...
I'll try and add a new set of back roads each week and in the coming weeks I plan to wander my own neighborhood (staycate & vacate...), visit Blue Springs south of Jacksonville, see Key West like a native, and check the critters of Flamingo. Hope you'll join me for the ride.
I'll try and add a new set of back roads each week and in the coming weeks I plan to wander my own neighborhood (staycate & vacate...), visit Blue Springs south of Jacksonville, see Key West like a native, and check the critters of Flamingo. Hope you'll join me for the ride.
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