Back to Tampa 9/3/07

All good, sunny, eclectic things must come to an end. So I saddled up on Monday morning and headed back eastbound on U.S. Highway 1. If you have not driven this way, you simply must find an opportunity in your life to do so. Driving 100+ miles over islands and bridges is relaxing and uncommon.

This one's for Chuck and Ann. I thought, "Ice hockey at 24°N latitude?" It's roller hockey. Cool nonetheless.

Here's a poorly shot photo of the cypress stands on the water between Key West and Boca Chica Key.

Farewell Boca Chica Airfield.

Geo Geek stands off the main road a mile or so. This is a famous bat house from the 1920s that never worked. The developer brought hundreds of bats in to diminish the horrendous mosquito population. Once the bats were released, they flew away never to return.

This unique home appears to be served by a chunk of the older U.S. 1 bridge as a driveway.

And back to the main land after crossing Key Largo. HF1

Key West & Boca Chica Airfield 9/2/07

There's the Visitor Quarters at Trumbo Annex of Naval Air Station Key West. I found the one-mile walk to downtown convenient and the Theda-Clark-ish look of the hotel uncanny.

I spent Sunday afternoon driving six miles back eastward to Boca Chica Key and the airfield portion of NAS Key West. My grandfather passed through here for a three week Naval school 1945 and I thought I'd poke around the base a little. Currently the field is under renovation. And with Labor Day holiday upon us, it was pretty slow. It made for easy exploration.

With nothing going on due to construction, the young Navy troop working the desk inside Base Ops enjoyed perhaps the easiest duty on station.

I wondered if these hangars are post-WWII or perhaps existed during the 1940s.

The "Sundowners" adversary squadron HQ resides at Boca Chica Field. They fly F-5s and play the "bad guys" in air combat training.

The heat, humidity, and brackish odor of the salty standing water around the Boca Chica Annex of NAS Key West is something that doesn't come out in Grandpa's photos and documents. Driving and walking around the area definitely added to getting a better idea of his WWII experiences.

Here's the terminus of Highway 1 along Whitehead Street near downtown Key West. HF1

In Key West 9/1/07

I awoke to a brilliant display of sunrise clouds opening the way to another beautiful day.

Here's the Navy Lodge on Sigsbee Annex of the Naval Air Station Key West three miles from downtown Key West. Acting on a tip from the helpful clerk, I checked into availability at the Fly Navy Lodge on Trumbo Annex, a mere mile from downtown. The added bonus was an even cheaper room rate.

So, I bid farewell to the first room, greeted this white ibis scrounging bugs for his breakfast and went to drop my stuff at my new room at Trumbo Annex.

click for closeup

Placed prominently on the court house lawn is this sign marking the terminus of U.S. Highway 1.

A geocache puzzle led me to the city cemetery and this monument to those lost in the explosion on the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898. The blast led to the Spanish-American War. Yes, we fought a war with Spain way back when.

Geography Geek on parade!

Hey! You're supposed to leave Grandma and Grandpa in Florida when you leave!


















Wherever I walked, I couldn't help thinking of Emma and her first day at Shattuck coming up on Tuesday.

The Kapok tree is a magnificent example of nature, especially to a northerner.

The old Customs House houses the art museum. Many interesting sculptures reside outside.

Somehow I think this reveler was not part of the original work...

Check this pedestrian. He's one of very many in the Florida Keys. It gives the place a comfy third world feel. (Click for a closeup)

Geo Geek enjoys a sampler platter of Cuban Cuisine at the El Meson de Pepe Restaurant.

The city constructed a historical park of Key West folks' stories throughout the city's history. Famous folks like Truman and Hemingway share space with the likes of Lena Johnson, the first ever Boy Scout den mother.

Another view of the El Meson de Pepe.

Jack discovered that he liked walleye with Grandpa last summer. Maybe he's got a future in the restaurant business!

Name another Adopt-A-Highway sponsor that would require no less than fourteen bolts to deter souvenir thieves...

Known for its easygoing character, rich history, and sunsets, Key West didn't disappoint on Saturday. HF1