Key West Trip - April 2011

Bryce Wilson · May 5, 2011

Viewing KeyWestPhotog's log of the event at the airport reminded me of the trip we took to that fabulous little island the first week of April. It also brought about a bit of jealousy in that he gets to live there and I only got to visit. The following are some of the things we did and sights we saw during our five day stay.

Key West is an island that is about four miles long and two miles wide. We decided to eschew a commercial hotel and stay in one of the beautiful old converted homes just off of Duval St. in the historic section of Old Town.

I really love the architecture of these old homes/hotels coupled with the fact that most are surrounded by lush vegetation.
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Dual St. is the “main drag” if you will. It is where a majority of the nightlife and commercial tourist activity takes place. Duval runs the entire width of the Island with the Atlantic Ocean at one end and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

This is a photograph of the Pier Bar just off to the side of where Duval ends at the Atlantic Ocean side. It was just around 10:00AM and it hadn't opened yet. The place becomes packed in the late afternoon and evening. Bright colors are the norm in Key West.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5590151350/" title="Key West031 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5590151350_f9ce4dfde7_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Key West031"></a>

At the other end of Duval, on the Pacific Ocean side, you have the Southern Most Hotel on one side and a nice hotel/restaurant on the beach with full beverage service on the other side.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5590145948/" title="Key West068 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5590145948_635e6c92ba_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Key West068"></a>

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Situated between the two oceans on Duval St. are bunches of bars, restaurants, retailers and a plethora of T-Shirt shops. I lost count.
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I wanted to purchase this one for my 12-year-old daughter, but mom assured me that she'd never wear it!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5604442262/" title="T-Shirt Design by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5604442262_edfd18e5b6_z.jpg" width="512" height="640" alt="T-Shirt Design"></a>

This is one of the restaurants on Duval St. that we ate at. If you pardon the pun, I had a "Cheeseburger in Paradise"!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5599713088/" title="Key West577 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5599713088_be8fc23d10_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Key West577"></a>

The missus was tuckered after our walk from one side of the island to the other so we hired this fellow (Ask Me Brian) to give us a ride back to our hotel. It was basically a three wheel bike with a covered seat for two in the rear. You can see one like it in the picture of the Southern Most Hotel posted earlier.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5589559175/" title="Key West095 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5589559175_e61f71b43b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Key West095"></a>

We were a bit parched after our walk so we decided to stop in here for a Rum Punch. This was the very first time I tried the remote flash option on my D700. During prohibition this was supposedly a speakeasy.

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We visited the Key West Aquarium and took a guided tour that was quite informative. Our guide pretty much covered all the marine life that is indigenous to the island.

This is our guide showing the group a Key West Conch. Conch are a protected specie and all of the conch served as food on the island are imported from another country.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5598510783/" title="Key West478 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5598510783_61e2bcfff1_z.jpg" width="640" height="512" alt="Key West478"></a>

Here our guide is hand feeding a nurse shark a piece of squid. Braver than I am!

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Took the boy and his girlfriend Para-Sailing. They had a blast. I had to pay 10.00 to ride along and take pictures. I didn't quite understand that, until I found that during the outing they were taking pictures of the para-sailers and offering CD's for sale at the end of the trip. He didn't bother taking any of my two.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5592094155/" title="Key West182 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5592094155_33dd0918cf_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Key West182"></a>

The girlfriend was mortified that this picture has her butt hanging out over the harness.

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The captain asked me if he should dunk them. I said of course. I caught them coming out of the water. The horizon isn't level, but at 400mm on a moving boat with a two foot chop, it wasn't easy to get.

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There is a sunset party every night at Mallory Square which is on the Atlantic side of the island. During this party there are dozens of street performers out working the crowds.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5591161058/" title="Key West117 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5591161058_348bedd305_z.jpg" width="512" height="640" alt="Key West117"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5591160448/" title="Key West102 by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5591160448_27217b0437_z.jpg" width="512" height="640" alt="Key West102"></a>

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Of course, when you attend a sunset party, it is obligatory to take a few pictures of the sunset.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5606195818/" title="Sunset Mallory Square by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/5606195818_7b9479327b_z.jpg" width="512" height="640" alt="Sunset Mallory Square"></a>

The picture above was taken a bit before sunset at Mallory Square. The next one was taken from the top of the La Concha Hotel which is the tallest building in Key West. Quite a popular place during the sunset. They could make a bunch more money if they put on another bartender for that hour or so!

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Back on Duval St. the nightlife starts in full swing after dark. This guy, who I call the "Brick House Bike Guy" drove this bike up and down Duval every night I was there. Not only is it decorated with lights etc. it comes complete with a sound system that blares the song Brick House by the Commodores. As you can see by the picture, people got a lot of joy from this guy.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5599713346/" title="Key West Brick House Bike Guy by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5599713346_32b5a65c39_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Key West Brick House Bike Guy"></a>

Two popular restaurants for dining in Key West is A&B Lobster House and The Commodore. Both are at the harbor.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5636327024/" title="A and B Lobster House Key West by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5636327024_d30933618e_z.jpg" width="640" height="356" alt="A and B Lobster House Key West"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5603007056/" title="Commodore Restaurant Key West by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5603007056_0168c22869_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Commodore Restaurant Key West"></a>

Each day cruise ships would dock and let off bunches of old people. I hope they pick them up before dark during Fantasy Fest or there will be strokes galore!

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We had a few hours to kill on our last day prior to going to the airport. We visited the "Truman White House" where president Harry Truman stayed on his visits to the island and also wandered through the parks in the area. One area had life size statues of various people. My 17-year-old son found this statue set rather interesting.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/5604441228/" title="Artist At Work by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/5604441228_2b3ce90a53_z.jpg" width="512" height="640" alt="Artist At Work"></a>

Just after this it was off to the airport. All four of us can't wait until we are able to go back.

mom2sage · May 8, 2011

I really enjoyed this series (stories and pictures). Thanks! I showed the conch to my husband and son, since none of us have seen one before. I had no idea they looked like that!

gasnapida · May 9, 2011

The second picture has a very good angle vibrant and illusive COLOR 's cudos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KeyWestPhotog · May 10, 2011

Bryce good set, and I'm glad to see you didn't show any of the secrets that Key West offers!

wave01 · May 17, 2011

Nice shoots bought back memories of our trip there last September. Its such a great place

Key West Trip - April 2011

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