AFTER FALLING HARD for this island paradise in 2022, we decided to return once again, this time for three months (two months in Key West; one month on Sugarloaf Key, 20 miles north of Key West).
The Florida Keys run 100 miles from the largest island, Key Largo, all the way to the tropical, rooster-crowing, chicken-filled, funky-vibe island of Key West. The island is six square miles which include two square miles of a very walkable historic district. Known as the southernmost point in the United States and the westernmost island of the Florida Keys, Key West is also known for its two climates….wet and dry.
We pulled into Boyd’s Campground mid-November and received a couple of shower bursts the first few weeks, however, the close of November officially welcomes the end of hurricane season. Dry, sunny days now make for a perfect time to hop on our bikes and discover the town. With the influx of visitors on this tiny island at this time of year and minimal parking areas for big butt F250s, bicycles are a great way to travel and ours have served us well over the past two years.
Having enjoyed many of the ‘must-do’ tourist attractions in prior visits, I am looking forward to peeling back a few layers to make some new discoveries. One afternoon included a stop at the home of Captain John H. Geiger, also known as the Audubon House. Built in the 1830s and slated for demolition in 1958, a nonprofit organization stepped in and purchased the property which today features period-correct furnishings and gives you a glimpse into the life of this early Key West captain. Geiger’s great-grandson was the last to live in the home and passed there in 1956. After the home’s restoration in the late 1950s, today it houses works by John James Audubon (1785-1851) who spent 35 years studying and painting exotic birds in the remotest parts of this new country, including Key West.
An amazing adventure, and a first for me, was a 27-mile wave-runner tour around the island which gave us the opportunity to experience three bodies of water – the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Straits of Florida – on a beautiful, sun-filled day with friends, an outstanding guide and glass-smooth waters.
And this year it was especially heart-warming to welcome friends in Airstreams to Key West! For a week we enjoyed the company of Mona & Tim and Paola & Marc over the Thanksgiving holiday; along with Suzy & Todd (life-long friends and former Airstreamers) who were staying nearby. Sadly, my bestie Mona took a tumble on her bike which landed her in the island’s hospital on Thanksgiving Day which was not on the list of must-see places I recommended to visit in Key West. I am hoping for a do-over, minus the tumble, and happy to say Mo is recovering because of her amazing attitude.
And that dream to walk into a tiki bar and find Mr. Chesney and his acoustic guitar? Well, it hasn’t happened yet but the next best thing was enjoying a couple of the songwriters who make the magic happen with their beautifully written lyrics. Mac McAnally has written for Kenny Chesney and Scotty Emerick for Toby Keith. To sit and listen for two hours while these songwriters performed was amazing!
Camp Dawg 