Key West Photoblog

Another Key West Sunset

Caty — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:43:34 +0000

The view from Ocean Key Resort’s Hot Tin Roof restaurant is simply amazing. After all the windy weather we’ve had, and after the Bonnie storm scare that never actually happened but canceled boat trips anyway, a calm evening was serendipitous.

Hot Tin Roof

Caty — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:36:59 +0000

The views of the sunset are great from Hot Tin Roof. This is the restaurant at Ocean Key Resort, accessible from the second floor of the hotel, or from the dock at Sunset Pier. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor seating overlooking their newly renovated outdoor pool area.

The food is very good, with steak the best meal. The fried gorgonzola is the best reason to dine here, so scrumptious.

Birds in Key West

Caty — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 23:49:43 +0000

We spend so much time in Key West looking down, underwater that is, because the marine world is so fascinating here. But when we’re stuck on land, the birds remind us that nature exists everywhere, including upwards. This guy was in the yard pecking at blossoms on this tree. I can’t identify either: all I know is that it’s a black bird on a red tree.

USS Coast Guard Cutter Ingham

Caty — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:26:56 +0000

USS Coast Guard Cutter Ingham is part of the Key West Floating Maritime Museum. It’s located at the Truman Waterfront and also includes the USS Mohawk. For a short time before its sinking, the USS Vandenberg was also docked here while it was prepared and cleaned for sinking as an artificial reef. It’s 327 feet long and was launched in the mid-1930s. It’s an important part of US history because she is one of only two such ships that have been preserved and still in good condition today.

Cutter Ingham saw action in WWII, the Korean War and in Vietnam. During the 1980s she performed search and rescue operations while the Muriel Boat Lift was taking place. Decommissioned in 1988, she was brought to Key West, FL in 2009. She is now a National Historic Landmakr. You can visit USS Coast Guard Cutter Ingham and take a tour.

Staying Cool in Florida

Caty — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:59:00 +0000

As hurricane season approaches, and thoughts of power outages arise, I often think about the old days in Key West. Back before there was air conditioning summer must have been pretty uncomfortable down here. In all of southern Florida, actually, summer is hot, humid, and oppressive if you don’t have a good air conditioning system in your home and car. There are people here in Key West, I know, that have green homes, with lots of shade and they claim less of a need for AC.

Unfortunately, most homes lack shade and instead sit in the open sun, soaking up the heat of the sun all day long. This is especially true in the mainland, in Southern Florida. This part of the state is mostly heavily populated urban areas with few trees per person as compared with the Florida Keys. It’s pretty much required that your home have AC in Fort Lauderdale, for example. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still be green. Fort Lauderdale air conditioning can be done with an emphasis on energy efficient appliances, practices, and maintenance if you consult an expert and do it right.

The pros will tell you that even if you’re not lucky enough to live on a shady street with a shady lawn, and must rely on your air conditioning system to survive the summers, there are lots of things you can do to be “green”.

Fort Lauderdale heating and air conditioning experts will help you save energy and money even if you’re not ready to replace your old appliances with newer ones. The same rules that apply in colder areas of the country also apply in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and the Florida Keys. Seal up cracks, close off unused parts of your house, and clean or replace filters often.

Even if you can’t go totally green and ditch the AC in southern Florida, you can still do a lot towards being partially green. Every little bit helps!

Casa Marina Pier

Caty — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:52:43 +0000

The Pier at Casa Marina Resort

Casa Marina is one of the loveliest resorts in Key West, hands down. It’s got the longest private beach of any resort, on-site water sports, newly renovated rooms and facilities, and a gorgeous historical building to boot. They are fully equipped to handle any function, but especially weddings. And hopefully I’m not sounding like an advertisement for their wedding services, their private pier is the perfect backdrop for a tropical destination wedding. The long stretch of wooden dock capped by a gazebo at the end becomes picture-perfect scenery each night at sunset.

Casa Marina is also extremely elegant inside, with chandeliers, large open lobby with high ceilings, and plush everything. Located on its own corner of the island, it transports guests to another era, and creates an environment for total escape, relaxation, and pampering. If you have the cash, you have the possibility for one heck of an impressive wedding party at this Key West resort.

The View from White Street Pier

Caty — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:16:36 +0000

White Street Pier is a great walk, any day. You can stroll out the edge and gaze south over the Atlantic Ocean, or you can look back on the beaches and condos that line water’s edge. You might see shrimpers heading out from Stock Island, or sport fishers doing the same. At night during summer you might see a line of lights during a hurricane warning. That’s big boats waiting out the rough weather on the inshore waters, where it’s safer than being banged around at a dock. You can check the visibility of the water if you are a diver or snorkeler. During windy weather you can watch kiteboarders jump the wind right in front of you. If you like sunsets but not crowds, White Street Pier is your spot at sundown.

Key West Beachside Marriott

Caty — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:39:04 +0000

The Key West Beachside Marriott is located right at the entrance to Key West, at the eastern end of the island. It occupies the entire corner of the island, and has its own Gulfside private beach area. There’s covered parking and fine dining on the premesis, along with a gorgeous pool and hot tub in the central courtyard. Since this Key West resort was originally built as a condo community, suites at the Marriott are like actual luxury apartments. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, marble baths, all the fancy real estate key words you’ve probably become accustomed to if you keep an eye on that sort of thing.

Units are decorated in elegant tropical style, a la Tommy Bahama: dark wood, neutral colors, and clean lines. Our suite had a huge balcony looking over the bay behind the hotel.

Smathers Beach Condos

Caty — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:12:19 +0000

Smathers Beach offers the most convenient beach experience in Key West. It’s easy to find, has plenty of parking, and offers shade, tables, and the widest stretch of sand on the island. Located on the south side of the island, you can easily find this beach by driving along South Roosevelt Blvd, which is the southern perimeter road of Key West. You can park right on the street next to the beach, along a mile-plus stretch. There’s a public restroom, and a few vendors parked near the beach, selling shaved ice, seashells, and other beach-related treats and baubles.

If you’re biking, lock up at any of the bike racks along the sidewalk in several spots along the road. A row of cute palm trees separates the dune area of the beach from the sidewalk, providing a nice backdrop for pictures of your Key West vacation. The other side of South Roosevelt is lined with condos and hotels, and vacationers staying at these properties can be seen dragging beach chairs, coolers, and towels across the road all day long, so drive slowly in this area.

The most popular vacation rentals along Smathers Beach would probably be the condos at La Brisa. Many of these units offer ocean views, covered parking, and great location at the western end of South Roosevelt Blvd. This end is closer to the Casa Marina area and Old Town. They are condos, so of course if you rent them as Key West vacation rentals you get full kitchen, bathrooms, living rooms, all furnished and ready to go.

A Key West Video

Caty — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:39:08 +0000

Scenes of Key West:

Fishing for Mahi Mahi
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Shark Fishing
Sunset Cruise
Snorkeling
Smathers Beach
Jet Skiing
Kiteboarding