This is another of those lanes that lead north off Truman Avenue toward the cemetery, and it's not really a lane because Watson cuts right across the middle of Key West for several blocks. However this small chunk between Truman and the cemetery fits my description of a lane...
The lane is peppered with signs of Awful Warnings thanks in part to the presence of the gruesome strip club nearby. They use the red cage sometimes to stick a scantily clad woman inside to prance around as a form of advertising. 
No parking for lechers around here apparently. Aside from all the parking issues Watson Lane has some quite evocative little homes in this stretch. They reminded me of mountain cabins I have seen in Northern California or the Pacific Northwest: 
With some fairly large multi unit dwellings in the key West style:
It was while I was standing in the middle of the lane pondering my next picture a woman walked up to me and, were this the fantasy of a humor writer she would have lifted her shirt and ordered me to take a peak. Instead this was real life and she asked if she could help me."Do what?" I replied, puzzled. Then she nodded her head and asked if I had come from the property.
"No," I said, "I'm not overly fond of Teasers." No, she clarified, asking me if I had come from the house. Which I found to be a weird question as I was obviously standing in the street holding a camera, albeit a small one. I had no burglar bag or any place to hide the loot.
"I'm taking pictures," I said as though the camera wasn't self explanatory. "I like to take pictures of my home town recording it as it changes." Humph she grunted, "I haven't seen you around." Probably I wanted to say, because I don't attend many of the tea parties you do, it's not that I don't exist! But she wandered off and I got back to the business at hand, which I may add was not burglary. Not in the middle of the day, with a camera in my hand in a photogenic town littered with tourists taking pictures. One has to respect people's right to be paranoid I suppose.
And here we have a fine example of that rare species the Honda Ruckus 250 scooter. They achieved cult status in the brief period they were imported. Personally I've never seen the attraction of the Big Ruckus or the 50cc version, lacking as they do, even the most rudimentary storage or weather protection.
I found the "lane" to be quite delightful, all trees and wood and shafts of sunlight.
This was some sort of outdoor garage or carport tucked in under the trees.
This was the source of the mid street controversy, a picture taken from well outside the boundaries of the house.
And here across the street another cabin covered by greenery:
I thought the arrow pointed in the right direction for all of us, in the end:
And just to cheer you up here's a nice tree:
I enjoyed Watson.
9 comments:
Mr Conchscooter:
It took me a while to get past that 2nd photo of the Bare Assets. I was staring at it waiting for the girl to come out. Is she going to come out soon, or should I check back later. Look what you've done Jack, you've got me thinking like you.
I don't do a lot of internet stuff from Friday night until at least Sunday night and as per Jack's comments previous . . . You are a prolific writer, words just drop out of your keyboard like bunnies. I get caught up on Friday only to be 4 essays behind on Sunday night.
That Honda Ruckus 250 was ahead of its time but too expensive which caused its demise. I don't think there was another scooter which could go offroad, and also no body panels to crack if you fall over
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
True enough about the Ruckus, and it does have Honda reliability...
My wife gives me grief every time i say writing is easy, but I see stuff and have something tosay, be it just a piece of a street. be glad you live so far away!
Thanks for such a forthright, earthy documentary. Your photography's beautiful and I enjoy your insights, which give me a feeling of your world. I'm looking forward to following your blog.
Cheers!
- Jerr
I, too, saw the cage and wondered to myself. I didn't even read the caption at first, and then it started to make sense.
I think the best picture in the history of mankind would have to be our friend Jack inside that cage. Do you think he would fit?
Dear Conch:
If you had a humor writer's personality, you would have responded to the woman's inquiry "Can I help you" with:
1) "I have been waiting here all morning on the hopes you'd come out and let me take your picture."
2) "Yes, would you mind standing in that cage over there and dishing up a little cheesecake?"
3) "A man in Pennsylvania bet me a million bucks that the first woman to walk down the street wouldn't show me her hooters. I'll give you half of the money if you lift up your shirt and let me take your picture."
4) Of course, if she looked like a rougue church lady, you could also have said, "Nice try, Toots. Keep walking."
By the way, the Democrats are so determined to get health care into the hands of the poeple who need it the most that Landrieu of Louisana held out for a $300 million bribe. Presumably she understands that this will add to the cost of the bill and that everything comes from taxes.
Another bold moment for Stuttering Bob in the White House.
As for CPA3485, Jimbo can kiss my fat ass.
Fondest rgards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
PS:
Here is a special video I made for CPA3485, that was taken of me by Rob Haut, of the Mac Pac, during our last breakfast ride (Delaware).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djaRzdNFhHE
Sincerely,
JRT/TW
What a vision!
But Jack, lets just hypothetically suppose I were to kiss your ass,
Where would I begin!
At the spot that says, "You are here."
I sometimes feel this blog has a life of it's own. Like riepe's midriff.
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