Day Two Part I

When I arrived here yesterday morning, I never thought a change of scenery would change my total feeling of sadness. I went against Bill's rule he jokily tells the kids, "no having fun". Of course, the kids always respond with "but I am having fun". We rented a scooter for our stay here to tour the island. At first, I thought "should I"? It is a little scary to climb on the back of a scooter with an accident prone husband piloting the thing. I mean there were visions of me sliding off the back or crashing into something. I mean the man slipped off the curb this morning carrying coffee, which ended up on the sidewalk. Now, would you trust riding with this guy?

We ventured off and the wind in my hair made me feel free, as I took in all the sights of the beautiful tropical plants and flowers (ok, so I like to garden) and the old historic houses. We discovered a place called the Blue Heaven where we ate breakfast amongst the free range chickens, rooster and stray cats. This place was fabulous not only for its history but for its food. Can I just say, the banana bread is to die for. Anyway, we ate in the outside courtyard under the 200+ year old Spanish Elm Tree with chickens running about our feet and two that were standing up on tree branches. Wait! Back up! Chickens can't fly, but they can climb trees? I am a city girl and I do not know much about farm animals, but I never heard of chickens climbing trees. Believe me, I took pictures, which I will upload at a later date. I needed proof of this since I am sure no one will believe me.

We finished our breakfast amongst the creatures and hopped back on the scooter. We passed the Naval Fly Station and base where the families of those in the military live. We passed by what I now consider Key West's Tropical bird, the Chicken or I should say several chickens running every which way with a rooster or two or three or one hundred walking among them. We took in the sights of the Gulf of Mexico on one side of the island, as well as the Atlantic Ocean on the other side. Afterwards, we decided there were three Key West Tropical Birds, the chicken, the pigeon and the parasailor.

Then we found it. No, it was not Hemingway's house, it was the Key West Cemetery. Oh Yes! A Cemetery. With Graves. With Very Old Graves. That Reminded Me Of The Cemeteries In New Orleans. Most of which, are above ground due to the flooding. Yes. I have pictures!