I'm a Florida girl, born and raised and had never gone to Key West until last summer!
Traveling to Key West was trrrrrrrrullly the highlight of my summer in Florida. My LOVE Michael and I hit the road for a 7 hour road trip through Florida, past Miami to the beauuuutifully clear waters of the Conch Republic aka KEY WEST :). First off, driving itself got very interesting about 2 hours before we arrived to the southernmost point of the United States. We drove over countless bridges surrounded by so much water that seemed to go on forever. We got to see some spectacular views around sunset that made the water reflect orange and pink from the sun and clouds-it was absolutely breathtaking and romantic. I could go on forever about this trip, it was one of the most fun packed four days ever! Check out my MUST dos and the pictures :)
Traveling to Key West was trrrrrrrrullly the highlight of my summer in Florida. My LOVE Michael and I hit the road for a 7 hour road trip through Florida, past Miami to the beauuuutifully clear waters of the Conch Republic aka KEY WEST :). First off, driving itself got very interesting about 2 hours before we arrived to the southernmost point of the United States. We drove over countless bridges surrounded by so much water that seemed to go on forever. We got to see some spectacular views around sunset that made the water reflect orange and pink from the sun and clouds-it was absolutely breathtaking and romantic. I could go on forever about this trip, it was one of the most fun packed four days ever! Check out my MUST dos and the pictures :)
(yup those colors are real 100% genuine beauty)
(up top being intrepid!)
(Parrot FISHHH!!!)
(a perfect reflection) you feel like you're floating in the clouds)
(there it is Fort Jefferson, in the Dry Tortugas, a part of a small
island clusters surrounded by the vast open ocean-what a site!!)
island clusters surrounded by the vast open ocean-what a site!!)
So clear so BEAUTIFUL!!
right next to Fort Jefferson is a famous bird sanctuary island, so close you could
easily swim, I wanted to but they are endangered and protected. Only people
with certain approvals can do so. :(
me being intrepid!
(Duval St. is ALIVE w/beautiful murals and paintings
and most notably murals by Wylan & Harvey)
(A cuban refugee boat, the Dry Tortugas is not just history, for some
people it can be a whole new future, if they can get to the sand with our
Dry foot policy)
Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas
(Star Gazing Cruise w/ Gary Galaxy :). SO FUN)
MUST DOs: Smather's Beach (countless people have gotten married on this beautiful beach). Look for a conch they are everywhere, I stepped on one.
It is the "conch republic", you must eat Conch Fritters served in any genuine restaurant. KEY LIME PIE (helllo), try it frozen dipped in chocolate on a stick, you won't regret it.
We learned on our Dry Tortugas tour that lime was used to cure many diseases such as scurvy that swept through the once notorious prison.
DRY TORTUGAS. Spectacular. I cannot emphasize how you must go there, besides the rich history about Abraham Lincoln's assassins' helper Dr. Mudd, you learn that history is still very much alive as you see recent Cuban refugee boats that make it to the island and are granted amnesty. You also need to snorkel in the most CRYSTAL clear water you will ever swim in. The boat ride is 2 hours there but WORTH it.
Star Gazing Cruise, you sail away from the lights into the open ocean and learn about a lot of the constellations/satellites/stars in the beautiful night sky
Walk up and down Duval Street, go into all the amazing art galleries, marvel at their uniqueness. If you're an art aficionado be sure to bring a fat wallet, many of these art pieces are well into the thousands
Eat at the famous Sloppy Joe's where Ernest Hemingway was a regular
See Ernest Hemingway's house and the creepy cats with six toes!
Take a Ghost Tour
ENJOY the Conch Republic. You really feel like you are not in the US anymore, rather another country/way of life
