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Destination Diaries

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Key West

By Angela Ash

keywest

Key West is the Southernmost point of the United States, ranking in only 90 miles from Cuba.  A part of sunny Florida, Key West truly fills like its country, with its "live and let live" attitude, it seems that almost anything goes, drawing in artists, writers, and bohemians from across the world. 

Best known for inhabitants like Ernest Hemingway, John J, Audubon, and Tennessee Williams, there is an overwhelming list of things to do when visiting this little piece of paradise. 

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Visiting an unfamiliar city can be hectic and a bit nerve-racking, especially when you are on a strict time limit. Whether you have an afternoon or an entire week, I can not imagine a better way to see Key West than on the Old Town Trolley! 

Any time I find myself researching a new city, the first thing I do is check to see if they have an Old Town Trolley in the area.  I can not begin to explain how my cares seem to melt away when I see that gorgeous, orange vehicle rolling down the street!  Not only will it get you where you want to go, but you will see places that you didn't even know about, but feel the urge to visit. 

And the wonderful thing about the Old Town Trolley is that not only does it stop at 13 places with over 100 points of interest, but you can hop back on whenever you like!  You never have to worry about finding a taxi or meandering through unknown streets to search for a bus, whose route you are completely unsure of.  You simply find the trolley stop, and in a few minutes you will be relaxing on the Old Town Trolley. 

Now, if you are really short on time, the trolley does a complete, narrated tour of Key West, and you just stay right in your seat until you arrive back where you started.  Simple enough? 

I sometimes find myself on the Old Town Trolley, zipping down the street with the wind in my hair, and I feel sorry for the people that we pass along the sidewalks, carrying heavy shopping bags and literally dragging a child or two.  I want to yell out the window, pointing up ahead at the next trolley stop.  It feels wrong to just allow them to trudge along, missing out on the best tour, method of transportation, and the most informative and entertaining thing to do in all of Key West! 

But they will learn, as I did, and after being passed by this trolley full of happy customers, soon purchasing Old Town Trolley Tour tickets will be at the top of any vacation planning agenda!

For more information on Old Town Trolley Tours, you may visit them online, or call (888) 910-8687.

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With so many attractions to visit in Key West, it may be difficult to decide which to visit first.  However, I find this decision fairly simply.  I just head straight for the sharks. 

The Key West Aquarium (Old Town Trolley Stop #1) is a fascinating place!  It doesn't have that "polished" feel as in most aquariums.  Instead, this aquarium focuses on the animal life within... something it has been doing since 1934! 

With daily shark and turtle feedings, you get such an up-close and personal visit with the inhabitants.  I can tell you, it is really something to see the nurse sharks literally piling on top of one another to get at lunch! 

The Key West Aquarium also boasts plenty of Touch Tanks, so that you can actually feel these creatures that are typically deep below the surface.

And with guided tours, this aquarium ensures that you discover as much about its tenants as possible in your visit!

For additional details on the Key West Aquarium, please visit them online or call (888) 554-5927.

Just around the corner from the Key West Aquarium is once of the most unique experiences in Key West! The Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum (Old Town Trolley Stop #1) is sure to astound visitors of all ages! 

While guests wait outside, they are entertained by actors, one of which will escort them into the museum, providing an overlook of what they can then explore at their own pace.  See just how the wreckers lived, and what would happen when a wreck was spotted out in the crystal waters off the coast of Key West.  Visitors will see artifacts, watch video presentations, and immerse themselves in interactive exhibits. 

And just when you think the fun is over, you may climb 65 feet to the top of the observation tower, undoubtedly one of the best views in all of Key West!

For more details, visit them online or call (305)292-8990.

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The Hemingway Home (Old Town Trolley Stop #5) has haunted me since my last trip to Key West.  I told myself that it was just as well to stand outside the gate and take a few photos, actually catching a glimpse or two of some of Hemingway's beloved, six-toed cats.  I knew that I had made a mistake the minute I stepped onto the cruise ship.  Do NOT make the same error!  Visit this beloved, literary attraction! 

Ernest Hemingway, one of America's most loved and respected writers, lived in this beautiful home from 1931 to 1961.  He wrote many novels while living here, including To Have And To Have Not, which was actually set right here in Key West during the Great Depression. 

You may wander about on your own, or there is a guided tour that is offered, where you will hear absolutely fascinating details about Hemingway's adventurous life, his tumultuous loves, his magnificent career, and the six-toed cat that started it all!

For more information on the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, you may visit them online, or call (305) 294-1136.

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If you are visiting the Hemingway House to see how the beloved author lived, then if you know anything about his life, you must also visit where he drank!

Sloppy Joe's Bar (Old Town Trolley Stop #3) is a Key West tradition since 1933.  Quite ironically, it opened its doors the very day Prohibition was appealed, and it has been serving expertly crafted libations and delicious food ever since.  With an interesting history and several names, it is a fact that Ernest Hemingway himself suggested the Name Sloppy Joe's, and like many of the words that fell from the author's lips, it stuck. 

Today locals and visitors alike gather at Sloppy Joe's, where live music always entertains its guests as they have a beer or two at the bar, or have a lively family dinner. 

The menu at Sloppy Joe's has something for everyone, but whatever your taste, come on an empty stomach!  The Starters and Snacks at Sloppy Joe's can be meals on their own accord.  The chicken strips are served by the half pound, and they are breaded to perfection.  The Conch Fritters are a must-try, especially when dipped in the made-in-house Key Lime Mustard!  If your stomach is ready for some serious finger food, then try the Havana Nachos, tortilla chips piled high and topped with jalapenos, tomatoes, black olives, black beans, cheddar and jack cheeses, onions, sour cream, and salsa. 

Now, as that you are at Sloppy Joe's, you must try the Sloppy joe Sandwich, a gigantic bun filled with ground beef in a sweet, rich tomato sauce.  The Full Moon Fish Sandwich also seems to be a favorite... batter dipped and deep fried.  The Shrimp and Chips are also an excellent choice... crispy and fulfilling. 

And even though you know that you just "shouldn't" have dessert, you are in Key West, so you can not exit the building until you have had a slice of sinfully delicious Key Lime Pie!

For more information on Sloppy Joe's, you may visit them online, or call (305) 294-5717.

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If you're in the mood for a little history before you leave, or you want to take a peak at one of the darker residents of Key West, then a visit to Fort East Martello (Old Town Trolley Stop #9) is definitely in order. 

Construction of the fort began in 1863, and it was designed to protect against a Confederate attack by sea. As the fort was not finished before the war was, it was abandoned in its unfinished state. 

In 1950, the Key West Art and Historical Society came in to clean and clear away debris and the reminders of its years of abandonment to open their first museum.  With continued work, the society returned the fort to its original plans from the 1860s.  Visitors may marvel at its design, view a collection of relics from the Civil War, see how the wrecking and cigar industries shaped Key West, and witness the amazing art of Mario Sanchez and Stanley Papio. 

This is an astounding place to visit for its history and connection to the Civil War.  However, there are those of us who visit for quite a different reason altogether.  We have come for Robert the Doll. 

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Robert the Doll is housed within the shadowy confines of Fort East Martello, where thousands of visitors come to see this mysterious item in person.  And what is so special about Robert the Doll, that he is housed in a fort in Key West?  Well, that answer is quite simple.  It is because Robert the Doll is haunted. 

Making reference to Robert as "haunted" may not be the correct terminology.  Some call it possession by a supernatural spirit.  Others call it a mysterious enigma.  Whatever the case, those who have come into contact with this child's toy claim that he is no ordinary doll.  I would have to agree. 

The short of Robert's story is that he once belonged to a boy, who was his lifelong companion.  However, when young Gene was questioned by his parents as to why he did this or that, he too often replied that Robert had done it.  After Gene's death in 1974 after designing the gallery at Fort East Martello, Robert went to live with Myrtle Reuter, who donated him to the fort in 1994, after claiming that Robert moved about the house of his own accord. 

Since then, ghost hunters, psychics, and those drawn to the paranormal have visited Robert the Doll to see if they might catch his expression changing, or feel as if his spirit may have followed them home. 

Whether you visit Robert the Doll and see his expression turn to a frown, or you merely meander about the fort, taking in its role in Civil War history, a visit should definitely be on your list.

For more information, visit them online or call (305) 296-3913.

Remember that while you are in Key West, time moves a little slower, and what you may have thought as eclectic or eccentric is just normal behavior here.  So have a drink or two at Sloppy Joe's, explore the city on the Old Town Trolley, and see just who you are while you're in Key West.  Chances are that you will be in for a great time!