This lane is named for the man who first coined the cry "Cuba Libre!" and was subsequently arrested and executed in Cuba in 1851.
Lopez Lane off Margaret Street is named for General Narcisco Lopez who rose to the rank of Colonel in the Royal Spanish Army, according to J. Wills Burke in his fine book The Streets of Key West, in which he outlines the career of the army officer turned revolutionary. In between fermenting revolution Lopez lived in Key West and so inspired locals they named a street after him.
I met but three living things on the lane when I ventured in, including a human lounging almost out of sight in the shade of a garden and this cat which looked about as enthusiastic as anyone might when facing being photographed by a stranger, but I was merciless.
Lopez Lane is filled with typical Key West greenery and architecture.
There are far too many airborne power lines in this city as seen above but here below I thought this little window looked not very urban at all. 
Odd balconies abound in Key West jutting out of buildings at random.
One has to assume that snowbirds spend winters here and now that it is summer I can wander the back streets of Key West and take pictures without molesting anyone's privacy. I wonder at all this unused real estate. 
A salt air survivor at least for now. The human I heard was sitting around the corner of this old shed. 
It looks ready to collapse under the weight of the rust yet at the same time it appears entirely solid and weather tight. How odd.
More refurbished homes ready for next winter. 
A perfect old style Key West tin roof.
I'm guessing the number six on the post marks the parking spot for the mopeds at number 6 but it doesn't really seem as though would be much doubt.. 
A forest home in the middle of the city. 
This has to be among the largest gumbo limbos I have seen anywhere.
Lopez Lane off Margaret Street is named for General Narcisco Lopez who rose to the rank of Colonel in the Royal Spanish Army, according to J. Wills Burke in his fine book The Streets of Key West, in which he outlines the career of the army officer turned revolutionary. In between fermenting revolution Lopez lived in Key West and so inspired locals they named a street after him.
I met but three living things on the lane when I ventured in, including a human lounging almost out of sight in the shade of a garden and this cat which looked about as enthusiastic as anyone might when facing being photographed by a stranger, but I was merciless.Lopez Lane is filled with typical Key West greenery and architecture.
There are far too many airborne power lines in this city as seen above but here below I thought this little window looked not very urban at all. 
Odd balconies abound in Key West jutting out of buildings at random.
One has to assume that snowbirds spend winters here and now that it is summer I can wander the back streets of Key West and take pictures without molesting anyone's privacy. I wonder at all this unused real estate. 
A salt air survivor at least for now. The human I heard was sitting around the corner of this old shed. 
It looks ready to collapse under the weight of the rust yet at the same time it appears entirely solid and weather tight. How odd.
More refurbished homes ready for next winter. 
A perfect old style Key West tin roof.
I'm guessing the number six on the post marks the parking spot for the mopeds at number 6 but it doesn't really seem as though would be much doubt.. 
A forest home in the middle of the city. 
This has to be among the largest gumbo limbos I have seen anywhere.
Happily there is a no trespassing sign on the fence, else I might have been tempted to leap it in one bound. As it I limited myself to enjoying studying the tile on the ground here.
I passed by the sturdy but decomposing shed on my way out, struck by the color of the rusty corrugated iron. 
This is a view back down Lopez Lane toward Margaret Street. 
The third living thing I encountered was this dove, minding it's own business. 
And in lieu of Cheyenne, tucked up comfortably in the air conditioning at home, I offer... 
...my Bonneville, my trusty commuter parked in one of the many free motorcycle parking spots around town.
I passed by the sturdy but decomposing shed on my way out, struck by the color of the rusty corrugated iron. This is a view back down Lopez Lane toward Margaret Street. The third living thing I encountered was this dove, minding it's own business. 
And in lieu of Cheyenne, tucked up comfortably in the air conditioning at home, I offer... 
...my Bonneville, my trusty commuter parked in one of the many free motorcycle parking spots around town.
11 comments:
I can't help my own smart-alecky-ness: I would imagine you encountered many more than three living things on the lane, judging by all the plants you photographed.
Also, I'm not sure if you intentionally used "fermenting revolution" as opposed to the more typical "fomenting revolution". I kind of like the twist that the word "fermenting" gives to the idea, though.
Dear CS:
There is a suspicious-looking discoloration on the pavement not two feet to the left of your machine, in the first picture of your motorcycle. I can't believe you barely moved the bike off it to take the picture. That's hubris. The Bonneville looks bith stately and road-worthy in these shots.
You should have introduced the cat to the dove, in a more perfect illustration of life's peaceful balance in Key West.
Your camera angles were exceptional in these shots. They gave the impression these houses existed in total eclusion, when in fact, they are only 14 inches apart. I think if you look hard enough, you will find a third "6" in the picture of the house with the numbers on it. This would indicate that it is the winter residence of "Satan," the CEO of BP. He returns to hell in the summer, because Key West is hotter than hell in July and August.
If I owned that gumbo tree, I'd build a tree house and rent it out for $1800 a week. Why did you leave the litter in the final shot of your bike? Or is it yours, tossed on the ground in defiance?
Finally, it becomes easier to understand the ongoing love and support the Cuban people have for Castro, if his revolution gave us the "rum and Coke."
I read this blog first thing in the morning, and enjoy it with my first drink and cigar of the day.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
We don't name lanes here. Then again, I don't think we have any.
Smart alecs are welcome (riepe is the living breathing fermenter of trouble around here). The Bonneville has been leaking oil from the valve cover since my iron butt ride. Jiri says he will fix it when it goes in for a service next week.The leak is so slight I have added no oil for the last 6,000 miles (since the last change). There are many oil leaks on the streets of Key West where cars are transport not status symbols.
I am an omnivore but I eat neither cats nor people ( on the grounds I don't eat creatures that eat creatures) but I eat bananas and drink hibiscus so I rate plants as non sentient beings.
If the rest of the week is going to be this tough I had better go and photograph some nearly naked women and men to take your minds off it.
I am fighting fit though as I have the week off overtime so watch out!
"The lanes of Key West, warts and all" by ConchScooter - commentary by blog followers.
Dear CS:
I knew that bike was leaking oil. By the way, I am of the BMW dealer's this afternoon with a wheelbarrow- full of money.
That will be the subject of my next blog.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
The book sounds so enticing that I ordered it-- don't know where it's coming from but it will be my next little read after I'm done with the Hemingway book.
If you'd introduced the cat to the bird, I'll bet he would have smiled for the camera.
And I now always read the comments-- most especially for Riepe's smart-assery. It's like comedy duet-- the smother's brothers or something.
A mere mortal would get a parking ticket from one of your friends if they parked "outside the lines" like that.
When did you stop eating fish?
You'd like to think I am exempt from parking tickets but my motorcycle doesn't have any indication on it I work for the police department and if you think they can recognize it as mine and exempt me you'd be wrong ( still bitter, but wrong). I actually pay my parking tickets just to stick it in your craw when you make comments like that.
Besides how long do you suppose I was there? Half a day?
We have openings in dispatch if you'd like to apply for a job and join the dark side.
I use to live @ #1 Lopez Lane. The house with the 'conch' tin roof.
Cool!
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