Key West ~ A Serendipitous Sojourn

No matter where one happens to live, somedays seem to turn out best when not planned. This is the way I've found it to be here in Key West. Time spent on the island is so much more enjoyable when it's explored and experienced as the spirit leads. 

The first big challenge of any day while camping in Key West, is rousting out of the comfort of the Canvas Condo...

Even in paradise, no day officially begins without first checking Facebook, while grabbing "some hair of the dog that bit you" the night before!

Don't feel like cooking? No problem. Chips and salsa makes a fine island "breakfast of champions." Finally, off we go with no plan or direction in mind. Along the way we spot a Dairy Queen, and, well...the spirit made us do it!

The beach seems like a great idea, so off we go to Smather's Beach on the ocean side of the island, find us a parking spot, and then attempt to walk off some of the ice cream, or at least, some of the guilt.

After an hour or so, we head to Old Town and walk, and walk, and walk some more. It's not too hot or humid today, so the walk is very enjoyable. There's certainly no shortage of things to see: like beautiful Victorian-style homes richly embraced by tropical vegetation...

flowers in full bloom in February...

cars with retro and exotic appeal...

We watch as an artist works on a sand sculpture of President Harry S Truman on the grounds of Truman's Little White House...

Walking down Duval Street to the docks by Mallory Square, we can't help but spot the Disney Magic in port...

With daylight wanning, and both feeling a bit fatigued, we decide to get away from the crowds and head back to the Naval base on the Gulf side of the island intime to catch a quiet sunset.

Driving by the spot we have named Pelican Rock, we find it strangely void of pelicans...

However, rounding the curve in the road to the base marina we discover the rest of the flock. A fisherman, cleaning his catch, has inherited a dinner party of twelve.

We pause there a moment to watch them feed off of the scraps being tossed heir way. It's impressive to see how courteous and well behaved the flock is: no pushing or shoving, just each politely waiting its turn...

As the sun sets on yet another pleasurable day in paradise, one more time, we are not disappointed by the view...

Starting out with no plan in mind, it's turned out to be a great day. However, the rest of the evening warrants a disciplined regimen: go back to the Canvas Condo, kick back, drink some beer, and then call it a night. 

~GJ Duerrschmidt