Key West (come as you are)

Key West, Florida...where the signs say "Come as you are" was our first stop on our cruise last month. It's a small place, only a few square miles but it's interesting and artsy and kind of pretty. The whole island vibe, the we're-cool-and-we-know-it attitude, and the historic areas all add up to a fun place to visit. Be aware though...it's a liberal minded, liberal culture, alternative values kind of town. (No worries, we avoided posing with the naked statues.)

We rented a 4-person electric car to cruise around the island. It was sort of like riding in a souped-up golf cart.

The infamous Sloppy Joe's saloon.

We passed by Ernest Hemingway's home but didn't have time to stop. I'm not such a Hemingway fan anyway, but I was sort of interested in the cats on site, most of them still are bred to have six-toes.

However, when in Key West, take a pic with Hemingway....

The sisters. Oh yeah, we're cool. And we know it. ;)

My brother-in-law Charles, eating the Kermit's (award winning) Frozen Key Lime Pie.

We had lunch at Pepe's, the oldest restaurant in Key West, known for oysters, steak and key lime pie (like everyone else on the island). Not friendly service...but they don't have to be, they trade on their name and the homemade menu items. I ordered the Oyster Medley. They were good, but small. Once was enough.

We ate on the patio. Here's the chandelier over our table. I bet it's pretty at night.

We got a parking ticket while we were there. (we were targeted, I'm sure of it). Big Daddy wasn't such a fan of Pepe's. This is his happy face.

What's a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?

Key West is eclectic. And they're proud of that. On Duval St. you can see a seafood shack right next door to a Birkenstock store, just across from Fast Buck Freddie's (souvenirs), a museum, an independent art gallery, and a Coach store.

Yes, we stopped at Coach. I took this khaki and red puppy home:

Pretty scooters, all in a row.

Goodbye, Key West.