Key West Vacation 7-18-06 (pictures below)

This morning we started with breakfast at the harbor at Turtle Kraals (http://www.turtlekraals.com/home.html), what a nice setting and the food was good as well. Once we left there we began our day at Mel Fisher’s Maritime Heritage Museum; famous, successful treasure hunter, (http://www.melfisher.org/).

We then headed to the Key West Aquarium, one of the oldest aquariums in the United States (http://www.keywestaquarium.com/); and then to the Shipwreck Historeum Museum with its 65 foot high look out tower (http://www.shipwreckhistoreum.com/). Before we got to the Ship Wreck Museum, we did stop for a treat, that I highly recommend, a Key Lime Crush (slush drink). This is available at the Key West Coffee Company in the Clinton Square Mall (http://keywestcoffee.com/index.htm)

Lunch was next on our tour; we stopped in at Ernest Hemingway’s favorite watering hole while he lived in Key West…Sloppy Joes. (http://www.sloppyjoes.com/) Not only did Hemingway enjoy many, many drinks here, the “Sloppy Joe” sandwich was invented here. And of course we did have Key Lime Pie, again, pretty good, but everyone recommends the Blond Giraffe (Wednesday holds that treat http://www.blondgiraffe.com/.

After Lunch we headed down to the Ernest Hemingway house (http://www.hemingwayhome.com/), this stop was our favorite. Although he only lived in Key West for 10 years, he did some of his best work while here. Also the house is preserved as it was when he lived in it along with his famous 6 toed cats (http://messybeast.com/poly-cats.html).

We ended the day with diner at the Conch (pronounced KONK) Republic Seafood Company (http://www.conchrepublicseafood.com/). This was the least favorite meal and yes Key Lime Pie.

Key West 7-18-06 Pictures

Key West Vacation 7-17-06

Today we spent the day at Smathers Beach, one of Key West’s many man made public beaches. Although the coral rocks are quite uncomfortable to traverse on the way into the water; we enjoyed the day. I tried to do some snorkeling about 50 to 75 yards from shore. I was able to see some schools of small fish. I think the next trip down here, SNUBA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snuba) or Snorkeling on the reef is in order for sure.

For dinner we ate at the Hogs Breath Saloon (http://www.hogsbreath.com/) and of course capped that with more Key Lime Pie. The pie was good, although a bit more firm would have made it perfect.

We ended the evening in Mallory Square seeing the street performers and getting a Henna Tattoo.

Key West Vacation Day 1 (part 2)

Sunset over the DownTown marina. Although cloudy it made for a beautiful effect.






























After dinner we had our first Key Lime dessert of the trip, we had 1 slice of Key Lime Pie (traditional), 1 Frozen Key Lime, dipped in chocolate on a stick and a cup of cold Key Limeade.

Kermit's Key WestKey Lime Shoppe - http://www.keylimeshop.com/

Key West Vacation Day 1 (part 1)

We started off from Ft. Lauderdale where we had breakfast with our good friends at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Breakfast and the company was good, but I didn't fair to well in the casino, lost $19.98)



Our first stop in Key West was the Southermost Point of the Continental United States.
















The third picture is of a rain storm out in the ocean, moving towards the Key. Also you can see a Naval observation post, probably listening to Fidel Castro in Cuba a mear 90 miles away.

Launch Clips from Video

Lift Off






Great Side view of Discovery











Tank and Booster view after roll

July 4th Shuttle Launch 1

The Shuttle Launch was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. (click on picture for a larger view)

We were about 8-10 miles away watching from the uninterrupted view on the bridge between the eastern bank and of the Indian River and Merrit Island in Titusville Florida.

The launch was perfect, skies were clear and a beautiful blue, deep and memorable.

The coolest thing was the sound about 30 seconds into the ascent the sound began to hit us; it was like a very loud train rumbling closer and louder until it passes right through you.


If you ever have an opportunity to come a launch in person I highly recommended, and call me I will go with you!

July 4th Shuttle Launch 2

The aftermath as beautiful as the launch!






Scenery from the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
(site of the Kennedy Space Center)