Key West, Photos To Die For!

Key West Cemetery 

Key West Cemetery
It would be amiss if I didn't mention our visit to the, Key West Cemetery. We meandered through on our last day in Key West and were not disappointed. The cemetery was established in 1847 in the center of Old Town Key West, at it's highest point. Reminiscent of the cemeteries we visited in New Orleans, however, not quite as elaborate. Most of the graves are above ground and many are so old that they are crumbling. 
It was extremely warm and not much shade to be found. We know there are some interesting gravestones here, however, the heat prevented us from staying to long! Some inscriptions that we missed are:
B.P. Roberts - (1929 -1979), thought to have been a hypochondriac,  "I told you I was sick."
Gloria M. Russel - (1926 - 2000), "I'm just resting my eyes."
A widow's tongue-in-cheek inscription, "At least I know where he's sleeping tonight."
The tomb of E. Lariz - (1923 - 1986), reads, "Devoted Fan of singer Julio Iglesias."
One inscription I did capture is:
A Bahamian veteran of the War of 1812, Thomas Romer's final resting place on Fourth Avenue reads, "A good citizen for 65 of his 108 years." ~google search~
Good bye Key West until we meet again! I just know that we will return! 

Panoramic Views!

Easterly

Westerly

Westerly

Northwest

Westerly 
Panoramic views from atop the La Concha Hotel, Key West, Florida. These photos were taken about 5:30PM, the day was a bit windy but at last no rain.
No, no, no, this is not the clothes optional bar that I am sure you have all heard about. These photos would not be possible if that were the only panoramic view in town. 
Just so pretty, a postcard view with every turn! Enjoy!

A Key West Sunset!

Sunset Key

"The sunset bids my day farewell giving rise to the life of another."`Rosemary Aubut~

Entertainment @ Mallory Square

Mallory Square

Mallory Square
Viewing a sunset from Mallory Square is like no other! Maybe it's just the energy that this magical place possesses. People gather early evening in anticipation of the sun's grandiose departure. A loud applause can be heard through out the crowd as the sun descends beneath the earth's horizon.
The senses are heightened here, there is entertainment nighty, street performers display their talents, artists display their wares and food vendors lend to the aromatic smells that make one's taste buds do the dance for the pleasure of refined carbohydrates. Music playing and one feeling the energy and joy of people just being happy! Dinner was enjoyed facing Sunset Key, we bid the sun farewell! 
Posted to: Nancy at A Rural Journal 
Weekly Top Shot

Southern Most Point!

Southern Most Historic Inn

Southern Most Historic Inn

Mile Marker, Route 1

To think that I took these photos at the southern most point in the United States! Honestly when I am in Key West, I feel as though I'm in another country. Key West has the flavor of the Caribbean with all the comforts of home, for sure. The day was cloudy and a bit windy but perfect for photographing none the less! 
A few facts: 

The southern terminus of U.S. Route 1. The highway officially ends/begins at the intersection of Whitehead Street and Fleming Street in Key West. It is 2,390 miles from its northern terminus in Fort Kent, Maine.~wikimapia~ 

Southern Most House Historic Inn, is a historic inn and museum in the city of Key West, Florida in Monroe County, United States. Five U.S. Presidents have stayed there.  It is located in the upper Duval district. It was built in 1896 for a cost of $250,000 USD as a private residence for Judge Vining Harris. It was converted years later into a Cuban nightclub called Café Cayo Hueso in 1939. It was converted back into a residence in 1954 and remained so until 1996, when it underwent a $3 million USD renovation and converted into a 18-room hotel.~wikipedia~

Tropical Architecture!

Gingerbread House

Conch Houses

An Eclectic View
I so admire gingerbread houses, whether they be in Martha's Vineyard, Key West, New Orleans or any city that is adorned with this jewelry layer of ornate woodwork. The ultimate accessory lending charm and interest to any structure!
Although I have been to Key West several times before this tiny little city always offers up new avenues of discovery. There is always something new to grasp and if I've seen it before my poor memory lends me the ability to enjoy it all over again. Enjoying the city sights with good friends a very special blessing!
Strolling the streets with my friend Judy, cameras in hand we meandered about capturing all that struck our fancy! 
Hope you enjoy some of the eclectic structures that I captured! 
A bit of conch house trivia:
 A conch house is a style of architecture that developed in Key West, Florida in the 19th century and that was also used in Miami, and rarely elsewhere in Florida, into the early 20th century. The introduction of the conch house style is attributed to immigrants from the Bahamas. 
The conch house, like other Florida vernacular architecture styles, is built of wood, and set on posts or piers, which allows air to circulate under the floor. Conch houses are rectangular, of one or two floors, and usually have a porch across the full width of the front of the house (both floors if the house has two floors). Other characteristics are horizontal weatherboarding or clapboarding, low gabled or hip roofs, and double-hung sash windows. Roofs may be metal or shingled. Conch house designs were often influenced by Classical Revival or Neoclassical architecture. Other than carved brackets and/or rafter ends on porches, conch houses generally lack ornamentation.~ Wikipedia~

This Old Truck!

Drove My Chevy To The Levy

Talk about, she's been around the block a few times! I don't know the history of this old gal but there is a story that begs to be told with each imperfection! 

Can you only imagine one?

Reminds me of Don McLean's song, American Pie! 

A long, long time ago

I can still remember

How that music used to make me smile

 And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those people dance and maybe they'd be happy for a while  

Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry

And good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singin' this’ll be the day that I die......

~Don McLean~ 

Bet you'll be humming that little tune for the rest of the day!

I took this photo in Old Key West, Florida on a not so sunny, muggy day. Judy and I were touring the Island when we came upon this grand old beauty. She was roped off which shows clearly in the original photographs below, however, I loved her so much that I decided to clone away the rope and wooden posts. This process took me quite awhile, but so worth it! Always learning something new with this program, Photoshop never ceases to amaze me.

Happy Mother's Day!

Post linked to: Nancy at A Rural Journal

Post linked to: Weekly Top Shots

More From Butterfly Heaven!

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
I added a dash of HDR to the recipe to create a more tasteful and sophisticated palette of color for the discerning viewer. 
The truth of the matter is that some photos were a little blurry due to the fluttering nature of the erratic butterfly. 
The HDR has somehow helped the blurries to create a more pleasing and dramatic result.  
Really could not make up my mind which photos to publish so I published all of my favorites! 
I hope viewing these photos has given you a few peaceful and magical moments, a transmogrification so to speak! 
Seek out a butterfly garden and experience just a bit of Heaven.