Our Florida Keys

Places And Restaurants in the Keys When coming to the Florida Keys most new visitors have expectations of Sun, sand and crystal clear water along with great fresh seafood. The reality can often be somewhat different. First, the Keys are a collection of small islets and islands (keys) with many surrounded by thick mangroves. RunningContinue reading “Our Florida Keys”

The Key West, Florida Cruise Port

Spending A Great Cruise Day In Key West Many Caribbean cruises include Key West, Florida as one of their ports of call. This tropical city is an American original that has cast its spell on a number of great people for more than a century. Ernest Hemingway, President Truman, Audubon, Calvin Klein, Truman Capote, TennesseeContinue reading “The Key West, Florida Cruise Port”

On A Dock At Sunset Eating Seafood

A Short Story and a Few Reviews We’ve lived in Florida for over 40 years and we love the state. I spent much of my life either on the sea or under it and if you’re a water person there’s no better place to be. Beaches, coral reefs, lobsters and for years our favorite getawayContinue reading “On A Dock At Sunset Eating Seafood”

The Map Room

Navigating on our cellphones is great but it does have shortcomings. Over the years we’ve collected a number of maps and marked them up with attractions and routes to follow. We have also combined and modified maps before our trip to simplify understanding a place. Here we provide a number of these modified maps thatContinue reading “The Map Room”

Spanish Gold and A Lost Opportunity

A Short Story Opportunity Missed In 1622 Havana Cuba was the capital of the Spanish Empire in the New World. Treasures of gems, gold and silver poured into Havana from South America, Mexico and the other islands. From there large fleets sailed back to Spain heavily loaded with this treasure. Late that summer a fleetContinue reading “Spanish Gold and A Lost Opportunity”

Eating the Florida Keys

Favorite Restaurants in the Keys Coming to the Keys most people are looking for Sun, sand and water with fresh seafood being a good expectation. Our suggestion is to approach Keys seafood with a simple rule – “the simpler, the better”. Florida’s waters are famous for Florida lobsters (also called spiny lobster or Caribbean lobster)Continue reading “Eating the Florida Keys”

Key West Port of Call

Many western Caribbean cruises include Key West, Florida as one of their port visits. This city has much to offer a one-day visitor from history to shopping to just soaking up the atmosphere of Americas most southern place. Where You Dock – Cruise ships dock along the waterfront right at Mallory Square in the heartContinue reading “Key West Port of Call”

Key West, The Historic, Exotic Island You Can Drive To

Part Two – Key West in the Florida Keys An Introduction To The Florida Keys Key West, A Different Sort of Place Where to Dine In The Keys Is It Time To Visit The Keys Again? (coming soon) Key West is the exclamation mark at the end of the sentence that is the Keys. This townContinue reading “Key West, The Historic, Exotic Island You Can Drive To”

Back To The Florida Keys? (In 4 Parts)

When I was a kid growing up in the Northeast more than a few years ago, I thought Florida was the promised land, paradise and the most exotic place I could imagine – all rolled up in one. I was in my twenties before I ever made it there but I had long dreamed ofContinue reading “Back To The Florida Keys? (In 4 Parts)”

Cruising the Caribbean III

The Seven Day Caribbean Itinerary  If you are looking for a little bigger taste of the Caribbean than those three or four night cruises, the next step up is the week-long cruise. The major cruise lines typically divide their itineraries between east and west Caribbean. The east usually includes St. Thomas and the Dutch sideContinue reading “Cruising the Caribbean III”