To Key West!!!

We visited a park and despite signs stating not to climb on the rocks, we just had to as it reminded us of some boulder fields we have crossed when hiking in AZ.

Miami, of course, has some great restaurants and before visiting one, we posed.  Then....

....we picked up a rental car, got on the "1" and headed south, stopping somewhere for lunch.  We arrived....

....in Key West just as the sun was setting.  If you ever thought driving from Miami through the Keys to Key West....DON'T DO IT!!!  Brutal drive, bumper to bumper with few places to pass.  Just fly into the Key West airport...trust me.

We ate oysters at one restaurant and began walking, stopping in at the very entertaining Sloppy Joes where we.....

....had another picture taken of us.  Yes, we were having a good time.  To be clear, I am not drunk despite my appearance. Next morning we....

....walked miles through Key West and stopped....

....for lunch.  Lots of roosters throughout the city.  Our walk included....

...passing a cruise ship the height of which far exceeds the tallest point in Key West.  There were a couple hundred protestors out, protesting the arrival of each of these ships when they arrive.  Thousands of passengers disembark, don't stop in restaurants as they eat/drink on board, visit a few retail shops close to the ship but otherwise considered a nuisance.  The water depth is only 40' so the ships scrape the bottom.  Several liners no longer visit Key West and the locals are working to make them all avoid.

We visited the Hemingway House, the Truman "southern" White House and a variety of other places.  We stopped in a few art galleries and then....

....this caught my eye.  It was expensive enough that we were escorted to a room, given wine to drink and I decided I needed it for my wall at home.  Can't wait to hang it.  More to come but also very glad to say, we have already returned to our beloved, southern AZ and am hiking on Monday.  A new destination!