I was hoping for a splendid sunrise but it wasn’t. Riviera at 11th wasn’t getting unflooded soon so I had to make a u-turn.
This was my second day back in Key West from Peru. I had my drivers license renewed till 2032 and my paid up van registration till 2026 so I was off duty. The workers were out getting coffee first thing:
Elections are coming and this corner is always full of names:
I stopped by Sandy’s on White Street for breakfast and a free weekly paper. It’s fun being a tourist in Key West.
Virginia Street as the sun came up.
The fire museum at Grinnell.
Petronia Street no longer dead ends into a soccer field as long sought affordable housing is going up in Bahama Village.
The chickens are still around but…
…this is becoming canyon country.
Truman Waterfront was looking green and lush and me the tourist enjoyed wandering around. 
The museum ship Ingham. I’ve taken a walk through and enjoyed it.
This was my post on it:
Sunset Key across the water:
The Truman Annex property owners once tried to close this public street. The city was ready to fold but the Navy stepped in and said no way. The Navy won and the public street stayed public.
My friends complain loudly about golf cart rentals in winter as they are slow and block traffic.
An actual coastguard cutter returning from patrol and not a museum:
Flooding at Simonton and Front. Nice high tides.
Key West Bight:
The recording studio of course:
Schooner Wharf Bar:
It looks old enough to be a Captain Outrageous creation. I took the 911 call when he died and I never really forgot it. I liked his story of a change of life from businessman to artist in Key West and I was sorry there was nothing to be done to keep him alive.
Getting ready to take a boat trip somewhere:
The salt air is taking its toll on the Waterfront Brewery porch. That building used to be a grocery store when I first lived in Key West.
Enjoying chickens on the waterfront.
The Galleon Resort across the water.
New owners made the Turtle Kraals name a place now not a restaurant.
Cuban Joe’s marine hardware store is still in business.
I used to work behind the roll up door in the shipping department of Fast Buck Freddie’s. We received and unpacked the stock in that warehouse. How I ended up there I don’t remember but I was waiting to be hired at the police department.
Buddy Owens fish restaurant chugging along on Caroline Street.
Doug Bennett the resilient downtown survivor. It was great chatting with him.
Doug has made a great life for himself in Key West. I tried to follow his example.
A family from Bangladesh ran a convenience store here and the people who hung around here called it the A-rab store when they rang 911. They hung out here and drank and made a mess of their lives from time to time and I had to send help to the A-rab store. I thought the owners of the store were incredibly patient with the “colorful” waterfront rats. They’re all gone now.
I’m told Kermit’s has been sold and Layne wanted hard candies but they don’t make them anymore. That’s gone too apparently. Oh well.
Sonny McCoy was mayor once and made headlines water skiing to Cuba. Lest we forget.
It’s a bit odd remembering people who got their names inscribed in public. It’s a mark of old age I think.
The Bocce Court.
Rest Beach where they used to slaughter cattle shipped to the city from Stock Island in the good old days before roads bridges cars and Publix.
The Aids Memorial.
I don’t think cruising around Key West aboard GANNET2 is going to be so free and easy anymore. The millionaires are quite fussy.
This used to be an open field used as a dog park on Trumbo Road. Now it’s first responder housing.
With nice water views.
My dentist, an inveterate traveler became my friend. I dropped in on Claude and we talked travel until time ran out.
I had a grand time chatting with dispatchers and cops at my workplace.
They offered me my job back but I like being retired too much.
I found one small change I really liked. The entrance to the Overseas Market shopping center now has a traffic circle making it so much easier to get in and out. So modern and I was shocked.
The Salvation Army on Flagler sold me a suitcase to haul my loot back to Arequipa.
And on my way out of town I got to spot the fried chicken capital of Stock Island, the marker that says you’re going north.
9 comments:
Thanks, I really enjoyed that. It was good seeing you and having a little chat. Until next time!
It has changed even since we left 2 years ago. We will always have fond memories but it was just getting to be too much like the rest of anywhere, at a very high price tag. With the cash from our house we have been able to set up a very unconventional existence.
KW through the eyes of Michael; a wonderful way to start the day!
Thanks for the great photos!
We saw Captain Outrageous when we were in Key West years ago! and I remember kermit's and Sandy's well... great Key lime and coffee!! This post reminds me of our visit there!
Everything I know about Key West I learned from you and Bad Monkey.
Life is about moving forward. Sometimes a little nostalgia is needed to. It was just like the old days , getting my KW fix from this side of the pond from yourself and Doug. You, your camera, your four legged friends, and your words have brought great enjoyment.
I am looking forward to the next part of your South American Adventure. Lets GO...!!!
Nice choice on the pink luggage, did you happen to replenish your crocks of the same color?
Glad to see BO's fish wagon still kickin' it....and Schooner Wharf. They are close enough to the cruise ships they probably get hammered when the ships are in town. I have good memories at Turtle Kralls too, Key West Race Week (sailboat) days in the early 2000's which you locals and PD folks probably hated. I tried to behave myself. One of my other favorite hangouts was KW Bait & Tackle. Hope they are still there..I bet the wood burning art guy is probably blind by now.
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