|
|
|
Links to all Articles & Photos:
|
US Island Getaway By Thomas R. & Deborah A. Fletcher The slight breeze rustles the palm branches. Basting in the warm sun, about to take another dip in the saltwater lagoon, we heard it. Drifting on the breeze, the distinct sound of steel drums. Something was out of place. The steel drums seemed quite natural. We’d escaped for a few days of sun, sand, sea, and exploration in the Florida Keys. The drums simply added to the Caribbean feel of sunny Duck Key. It was the tune that was out of place. It took us a while before we realized it was Eminem’s "Cleaning Out my Closet." Not something one expects to hear on steel drums. Whose innovation was this? The chain of islands that makes up the Florida Keys stretches from just south
of Miami to Key West–ninety miles north of Havana, Cuba. Driving south from Time is of little consequence here. One finds a laid back atmosphere expected more in the Caribbean than the US. Temperature in the keys is moderated by the ocean breezes, with the average daytime temperature in Key West of 81.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
Luxuriate in a couple’s massage after a "hard" day on the water.
This sensuous experience is a wonderful way to get the kinks worked out before a
wonderful dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants. The resort offers several
packages (Spa, Honeymoon, Romantic Rendevous, and family with dive, dolphin, and
sailing programs). Key West has some nice places to eat. Kelly’s Caribbean Bar & Grill "southernmost brewery in the US" offers some excellent lunch sandwich selections. We recommend the blackened fish sandwich. Blue Heaven is the place for an excellent seafood dinner under the stars. There are some fine historical attractions such as Hemingway House and the Harry S. Truman Little White House. The downside is a scruffy, anything-goes feel. Approaching Mallory Square, we saw a guy take a drink and place his plastic cup and the remainder of its contents behind the low concrete wall upon which he was seated. He rose and approached us. "I’ve been trying to get enough money together to buy a hamburger. Can you help?" Sorry, but the answer was "No."
Big Pine Key Region represents the natural side of the Keys, with two
National Wildlife Refuges. Love Key National Marine Sanctuary protects one of
the world’s best diving reefs and the 8,000-acre Key Deer National Wildlife
Refuge on Big Pine Key and No Name Key protects the endangered Key deer, a small
subspecies of Whitetail deer. The refuge was established in 1957 to protect the
remaining herd of only 50 deer. The tiny deer weighs a maximum 80 pounds fully
grown. The population on both islands has rebounded and is now estimated to
number 600. The diminutive deer can be seen among the islands’ mangroves early
in the morning and in the evening as dusk approaches. Guided There’s variety in the Florida Keys. It all depends upon what the traveler is seeking. There are the elegant, the touristy, and natural sides of the Keys and the difference is palpable. Tasteful elegance sums up the feel of Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key. Key West has a gritty feel, something from the other end of the tourism spectrum, with her cruise ship passenger hordes. Then there’s getting in touch with nature, kayaking Big Pine Key: another mind set altogether. The innovator on the steel drums? Native Trinidadian, Sir Cedrick Luces who has long been a fixture of Hawk’s Cay Resort. His smooth sound providing the sound track for untold vacations over the years. He has three CDs of his steel-drum music, performing the music of others along with his original compositions. Soaking up the sun, splashing in the lagoon, jamming to a steel-drum concert–what a way to spend the afternoon. Sir Cedric plays for hours. Relaxation sets in, cares melt away as easily as the steel-drum beat mingles with the rustling palm fronds. We indulge in the soothing sounds, the sun and water–a world away from the daily grind of home. Performance Apparel @ ExOfficio.com Stock photography by Thomas R. Fletcher at Alamy
If You Go:
Click here if you would like to use this feature or one of these photos 
Custom Search
Text and Photos Copyright Thomas R. Fletcher / PROSE AND PHOTOS |
Duck
Key, approximately midway down the island chain, is about a two-hour ride south
from Miami International Airport. Hawk’s Cay Resort on Duck Key would be our
base for exploring the keys. The resort features a 177-room inn and 269 villas,
and a plethora of water-based activities, including the Offshore Sailing
School. Take a basic one day course and learn some basic maneuvers or take
the longer, live-aboard course. The school offers professional, hands-on
instruction through courses taught by US Sailing Certified instructors. We took
the day course and learned quite a bit in our time aboard the 26' Colgate
sailing vessel.
Touring Key West via the Conch Train allows one to gain a quick
overview of the area’s history and historic structures. Ernest Hemingway is
one of Key West’s most noted former residents. Stop by the Hemingway House
and Museum on Whitehead Street to see the home where the author lived when
he produced some of his most noted works. The Spanish Colonial villa is a
registered National Historic Landmark. Though Hemingway only lived in the house
from 1931 to 1940, he owned it until his death in 1961. Don’t miss taking your
picture at the "Southernmost Point in the US" marker, which is closer
to Havana, Cuba than to Miami.
Key West’s Mallory Square hosts an eclectic daily celebration of the
sunset. Put on by a wide array of street performers ranging from a Houdini-like
performance by a guy in a straight jacket, wrapped in chains, suspended by his
feet, he escapes in less than 60 seconds, to a contortionist who fits his torso
through a tennis racket, to your average fire-breather. It’s an entertaining
show, happens daily, and best of all, it’s free.
kayak tours
represent one of the most effective ways to explore Key Deer National Wildlife
Refuge. Such tours allow ample opportunity for observing many species of
wildlife as well a rare glimpse of the skittish Key deer.
(Key West
Lighthouse Museum
and Keepers' Quarters)