To Key West

October 30, 2023 Day 23 Florida City Florida to Key West Florida 141 miles

The skies are partly cloudy again. As we drive along we go in and out of sun. More open space with not much of anything. We finally got to the bottom of the mainland and began crossing bridges from one island to the next.

We went through Key Largo which is full of water sport activities. Definitely lots of people. Also lots of accommodations. Lots of bicycle riders. Looked like some of them out on some kind of scavenger hunt.

Some of the bridges we went over were really tall. Others were really long. Hopefully no vehicles break down because there is no place to get off the road.

We arrived in Key West about 11:30. We are staying on a naval base that sits right on the coast. We were able to check in. We have a suite on the ocean side of the building. We decide to go for a seafood lunch. Connie searched options and picked one. Off we went. Well the streets in the old part of town are very narrow so there is no street parking. Small lots are scattered around. We found one close to where we were going. Parking was $15 for 0-3 hours. We walked the two or three blocks back to the restaurant. Well it was really more like a hole in the wall. We both had garlic shrimp rolls. That was really good and very filling. The bread was similar to two slices of garlic bread that was not cut all the way through. Very tasty.

Then we decided to go to the Little White House which had been a favorite of President Truman. Other presidents also used it just not as often. We found the house but the parking is again an issue. We had to turn around and go back and wind around. A lady told us of a lot very close. Well we found a lot but I don’t think it was the one she meant. Worse yet it cost $25 for two hours. Then we walked to the White House about 3 blocks. We took the half hour tour which was really good. The house is decorated as it would have been in 1949. Most of the furniture was what Truman used. Our guide had lots of stories to tell about Truman that made the tour more interesting. During World War II Truman brought Thomas Edison in to help design a submarine to combat the Germans. Truman went for a ride in a German sub that was caught. When it came time to the surface there were complications and an onboard leak. The makeshift crew got lucky and was able to surface the boat and save Truman after some very anxious time. Truman loved to play poker. Many guests had to play whether they knew how or not.

The original size of the island was about one mile by one mile. The Navy needed more space so now it is four miles by two miles. This was the first US submarine base.

Connie found a key lime pie bakery where they make extra tart pies. Rob found a place to park for free and went back to get a pie. We will have that for dessert several times. Sure hope it is good. FYI it was VERY good.

We tried for a place to take a picture of the woodie that said Key West. No place at a water front park. No place at the lighthouse. But we did get a picture at the furthest place south. Pictures of the car have been taken all over town. The car has been a real novelty.

A few things about town. Chickens run free all over. They are taller and thinner than a banty. Lots of people drive around town on four to eight passenger golf carts. Lots of alcoholic drinks available. Lots of tourists. Lots of boats. So many in fact that they are stored on racks about 4 boats high. We got a little rain in late afternoon. Lots of small lizards.

Rob says there was an unusually high number of law enforcement folks on the road. Then during lunch two mounted officers rode down the street.