The Tip of America
Traveling to the Keys is fun! I've been there many times but never was able to make it all the way to the end…the tip of the United States- Key West. Now was the time.
Alexandra was home for a few days before heading off for her summer internship and we needed an adventure- so off to the Keys we went!
Our four day trip was planned with lots of adventures: swimming with dolphins, sunrise/sunset on two different coasts, snorkeling in Dry Tortuga and visiting the most southern point of the States. We were packed and excited about our time together.
After time in Key Largo and with dolphins, we headed south over the 7 mile bridge to get to Key West. The weather was cloudy and drippy, but we were fine, we don't melt, so we could still have a grand time. We arrived at our cute hotel and parked for the trip. We planned to mostly walk around the area as parking is very challenging to find.
We took off and went west and found the most southern point. You couldn't miss it as there was a trolley full of a wedding party and guests watching the happy couple get their picture taken here. We waited in the makeshift line for our photo opportunity to document us actually being there. We then headed West to find the beginning of US1 and Mallory Square. I have now traveled from the tip of the Keys up the east coast to the tip of Maine, from the tip of San Diego to the tip of Washington.
We strolled through the head garden (a.k.a. The Memorial Sculpture Garden) where busts of people who were important to Key West are recognized and esteemed. Reading their placards, they were a tough group, full of determination and perseverance! As we left the garden, we arrived in Mallory Square. Immediately there was a street performer who was efficiently and effectively working the crowd of visitors. We enjoyed a few different shows as the sun set. Since it was very cloudy, the sunset was really unobserved. We enjoyed a nice stroll back to our place where we'd get ready for or the big adventure of the next day. #32✔
As we slept, waves of a tropical depression came into Key West. The Keys were fully covered in a heavy rain, as was the rest of South Florida. Our trip to Dry Tortuga was cancelled by the airline. After hours of waiting and talking with them, we lost hope they would have flights out to the National Park either this day or the next. We ventured out of the hotel for a quick walk in the rain and realized the streets were all flooded. Our fun weekend in Key West was turning out to be a gully-washer. We debated about what to do. Since all of our activities we wanted to do were outside we decided to head home. Dry Tortuga was a wash out... until next time. #33- not yet complete.
