Day 2: Key West

After breakfast at the Guesthouse we headed toward Duval street. First on the list of priorities was finding sunglasses for me and Dan. Without success (we’ve both extremely picky) we sauntered the length of Duval street to South Beach, the southernmost beach in the continental US. A block away was the southernmost point in the US, so we waited in line like true tourists, then took photos of ourselves commemorating the occasion (Kristin was there too, I swear).

Well, we figured since we were already at the southernmost point, dipped our toes in the warm water of the southernmost beach, we might as well have a few drinks at the southernmost bar as well. Fueled and inspired we headed up Duval Street.

It wasn’t too long before we hit bar #2. A laid back, friendly bartender made us a couple mojitos and we sipped with leisure on the porch people watching. It was quickly apparent that this could be the ideal way to spend your time in Key West–drinking, watching people, and letting the warm sea breeze just carry your woes away. Rumor has it there are 230 bars in Key West. While we couldn’t make it to all (we tried), below are the ones we did get to. A few things worth noting:

At Cowboy Bills, Lacy, a blond who knows what she wants and makes people smile, served
us drinks. Ten years ago she drove 2917 miles from LA to Key West over
three months, ran out of money and just stayed here. Early thirties, torn white tshirt that I’m sure helped boost the tips, and a practiced personality that makes even the most foreign feel at home. Seems like she found the place for her.

At the Speakeasy Inn the bartender made us our fresh mojitos. He moved here three and a half years ago, lives on a boat, and comes to a party every day. When asked what he does when the hurricanes come roaring through, he said “I live on a boat, it just washes right under me. I pour a couple drinks and enjoy the show.”

Gerd Rube entertained a late night crowd at Willie T’s. He lives in Germany, but six months out of the year comes to Key West and plays energizing, sing-a-long songs to support his habit. A happy ending to a happy day.