Paradise Found

Ahhhh, Key West. A vacation destination whose very name conjures in many people’s minds mind sun, sand, icy drinks garnished with the ubiquitous umbrella and a debaucherous nature second only to Las Vegas.

My Key West, while not chaste by any means, is quieter and certainly less flashy.

I love the architecture. The homes in Key West’s Old Town boast the biggest historical district in the US and derive their shapes from a veritable melting pot of influences. They hail their architectural notes from England, from ship builders, from the Bahamas and from economic and industrial necessity. Boiled down, they are referred to as “Conch Homes.” I must say that owning one, even as a rental that I can visit every so often, is my heart’s desire.

I love the history. Key West is the second oldest city in Florida (St. Augustine being the first - natch) It has a very colorful history of Indians, Pirates, Wreckers, Cigar Makers, Spongers, Politicians as well as (and relatively more recently), Writers, Poets, Musicians (Jimmy Buffet, anyone?) and dreamers. (Mel Fisher, one of the greatest dreamers of our time - “Today’s the Day!” - has a museum in Key West with his name on it and is a testament to all of us who dream big.)

I love the vibe. The acceptance. Be who you are, and what you will be. Key West was progressive in that it was one of the first cities in the US to openly embrace alternative lifestyles. Indeed, Richard Heyman, elected in 1983, was one of the nation’s first openly gay Mayors. But, the ‘live and let live’ culture is not limited to same sex relationships. It is pervasive throughout the Island. You like to knit? Talk to doorknobs? Walk aimlessly? Or somehow live on the fringe of society’s accepted norms? As long as your quirks don’t harm anyone, you are accepted here - and you will likely find other like-minded folks.

I love the people. In general the people, particularly the locals, are friendly. They smile, wave and ask how you are. And, after the slow burn which led to a fiery love affair with this place...I found myself cultivating relationships with some of the folks that I had come across during my visits. As time passed, I was no longer just a groupie of favorite destination...I had made friends. All of them different, and all of them important. I know that with certain ones, I have made a connection that is life-long.

To celebrate my sister’s bachelorette party this past weekend, I was able to take all four of my sisters to Key West. In a quite militant style, I took them on tours, on bike rides and generally schooled them on my adopted home. A couple of my sisters had only cursory visits in the past...one had only been exposed to the party side of Duval Street.

As this was the first time all five of us had been on vacation together...as adults...without parents...I hired a local photographer. I wanted him to to take some photos as a memento of the occasion, and hopefully get a great shot of all of us as a gift for our parents. (One of the proofs, which did not make the cut, is at the beginning of this post.) We went to the Key West Botanical Gardens, which was absolutely beautiful and absolutely HOT! for the photo session.

I felt so proud as I led my 4 sisters through the streets on bikes, circling the Cemetery...and took them to Sunset celebration on Mallory Square...walked with them on the Ghost Tour...showed them the historical bits in East Martello.

It was like I was home.

And once I came back to my ACTUAL home yesterday, the one that is my current address, where I live while I pay my bills...I was a bit morose. Perhaps even a little depressed.

I yearn to go back. To the Island that holds my heart and now is the location of friends. I scour the Internet...Where is the cheapest house in Key West? What will it take to renovate it? How soon can I go back?

When I already live in an area that many would consider paradise, I think it may be selfish to push the paradise envelope farther.

But a girl can’t stop dreaming, right?