Winter In Key West

The leaves outside have turned yellow and red and many have fallen to the ground.  For the past couple of days, rain has drizzled down ushering in a cold front that has dropped the low temperatures into the 30's.  On overcast and rainy days with winter kicking in the door, my mind tends to drift southward.  Key West seems to stay on my  mind.

Winters in my home state of Mississippi are generally mild compared to most of the U.S. however, they would seem harsh in comparison to those of Key West.  Since the time that the U.S. Weather Service has maintained records, the lowest recorded temperature in Key West is 41 degrees F and that was in 1886.   I would imagine that somewhere around 65 degrees, the citizens of Key West break out their sweaters.

Friday evening as I looked at the cold rain falling outside my office window, I checked the temperature in Key West, it was 80 degrees.

The average winter temperatures for Key West are as follows:

November:   80 high / 72 low
December:    76 high / 67 low
January:        74 high / 64 low
February:      76 high / 66 low
March:          78 high / 68 low

Winter has been brutal.  I could live with a little Key West weather!   CURRENT WEATHER IN KEY WEST.

A Nice Little Surprise: Cuban Coffee Queen

               Cuban Coffee Queen, 284 Margaret Street, Key West, FL

It definitely doesn't stand out.  Hidden on the northern side of the island in a small building from another time is the Cuban Coffee Queen.

I never really searched out the Cuban Coffee Queen (CCQ).  It just kind of happened.  As I searched through a couple of apps for restaurants where I had never been, I continued to stumble upon the CCQ as a great place for coffee and sandwiches.  After reading several rave reviews, we decided we'd give it a try.

One evening after sunset, my wife and I walked in the direction of the CCQ and initially failed to find it.  We were looking for a much bigger and more prominent location than what the CCQ actually is.  In the darkness, we finally spotted the tiny rustic building, lights out.  Disappointed, we walked to the window and read the operating hours.  The simplicity and rawness of the building along with the reviews that we had read had us intrigued.  We declared that we would be back.

A couple of mornings later, as we began our morning walk around the island, we made our first stop at the CCQ.  Standing in a short line, we checked out the menu.  I got the hot Cafe con leche while my wife got the iced coffee.  The ice was an espresso ice, a nice touch.

As we strolled the island, we sipped on our coffees and took in the beauty that is Key West.  I am not  a coffee connoisseur but I do know that my coffee was very good.  I also purchased a breakfast sandwich called, the Key Wester.  It is two eggs, American cheese and a choice of ham, bacon, sausage or pork on pressed Cuban bread, and it is very good! I purchased the Key Wester based upon some good reviews from Yelp.  It did not disappoint.

I only have one major regret.  They had a great t-shirt that I wish I had purchased, but I suppose the last thing that I need is another t-shirt.

I would highly recommend a visit to the Cuban Coffee Queen.   You won't be disappointed.

UPDATE:  There is now another location for Cuban Coffee Queen.  The new location is in downtown Key West off of Duval Street near the corner of  Southard.  It is in Key Lime Square, 5 Key Lime Square to be exact.  It is open from 7am to 9pm and there is seating for dine-in.  They also have pick-up and delivery.  For a delivery, call 305-294-7787.

While this original blog was concerning the location pictured above, the Key Lime Square location is the one that I frequented most on my last visit to Key West and is more central to the island just off of Duval.



The original Cuban Coffee Queen is located at: 284 Margaret Street, Key West, FL

A Key West Treat: Chocolate Covered Key Lime Pie On a Stick

Sometimes, over and over, you walk by opportunity and don't even know it's there.

On our first trip to Key West, my wife and I, almost daily walked past Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe on Elizabeth Street on the northern side of the island near the marina and the Hyatt Key West.  The only reason I mention Kermit's is because of their chocolate-dipped key lime pie.  As we walked past Kermit's every day on our morning walk, we mentioned to one another that we thought the chocolate-dipped delight would either be really good or the ruin of a good slice of key lime pie.

Sure, among our wanderings of  Key West, we had made it by the Kermit's on Duval Street and took advantage of sampling some of the cookies and a variety of key lime salsas.  So as not to be total leaches, we even purchased a bottle of  Kermit's Key Lime Juice and a box of Kermit's Key Lime Cooler Cookies which are absolutely delicious (buy one more box than you need!).

But, let me get back to the chocolate-dipped key lime pie on a stick.  On the last day of our trip, we decided to try one just to see what it tasted like.  After one bite, we knew we had made a terrible mistake not coming by before.  First off, key lime pie at Key West always seems better than key lime pie anywhere else, and second, can you think of anything that doesn't taste good dipped in chocolate?  The pie is made, sliced, a stick inserted and dipped in chocolate, and then frozen.  Sound good yet?

According to a sign in the store, Alton Brown of the Food Network picked Kermit's chocolate-dipped key lime pie as one of the Top 10 desserts in America. I won't argue with him.

The whole purpose of this blog is to try and advise you not to make the same mistake that my wife and I made.  Definitely, don't wait until the final hours of the last day to go by and try this award-winning treat.  You will probably find yourself back again for another before your trip is over.

There are other chocolate-covered key lime pies on a stick around Key West and I imagine that they are delicious as well.  One is Key West Key Lime Pie Company, whose website makes me very hungry.   No matter where you buy, just make sure you don't go back to the mainland without trying this chocolaty covered tart dessert on a stick.

The "Gypsy Chickens" Of Key West

As you begin to wander around Key West, you will continuously see roosters and chickens walking around freely.  On my first trip, this struck me as odd but with KW having a Caribbean feel, not necessarily out of the ordinary.

I have heard several versions of why there are chickens roaming free.  The initial version is as follows:  People in earlier times migrated to Key West and because of it's isolation from food sources, they brought their own chickens with them, providing eggs, meat and of course reproduction of the species.  As Key West became more connected to the rest of the world and with the advent of local markets and supermarkets carrying these products, some people quit raising these chickens and they were more or less released.  No longer being fed by their owners, the chickens were able to survive off of the native insects, lizards, scorpions and worms around town. It is said that the chickens have helped to minimize cockroaches in tropical Key West.

A more detailed version that I have heard and read about has to do with cockfighting.  The following from keywestroad-trip blog is as follows:

During the mid-1800's, chickens were big business in Cuba. Breeders purchased varieties of Filipino Fowl from Spain. They created their own breed called 'Cubalaya'. The size and aggressiveness made them perfect for cock fighting.

1940's Key West Cockfight

By 1860, Cubans began to move to Key West during the Ten Years' War and unfortunately brought their love for cock fighting with them. A large amount of Cubans followed, drawn by the cigar industry, bringing their chickens with them. By 1890, more than half of Key West's population was of Cuban  origin. 

Luckily, the southernmost city outlawed cockfighting in 1970's, putting the Cubalaya chickens out of business, and out on the streets of Key West. Domestic chickens on the island were losing their homes at the same time when their owners moved away. Now the roosters & chickens were left to roam free, and nature took its course. So, some forty years later, we now have what we call 'Gypsy Chickens'. Like in the 1970's, they are still protected, and make Key West the truly unique place that it is! 

And while the chickens make Key West a unique place, some of the locals are not as happy with them as this tourist.  Over a period of time, chickens roaming freely and "letting nature take its course" can make for a lot of chickens.  The following is taken from Sarah Goodwin-Nguyen's blog concerning the "gypsy chickens": 

Key West's city government, beset by calls from disgruntled locals, have tried several times to "downsize" the chicken population.  In 2004, the city hired local man, Armando Parra, a barber and self taught bird catcher, to serve as "chicken catcher".  The birds were supposed to be "relocated" to a free range farm in Miami-Dade.  Amid speculation that the birds were secretly being killed, local pro-chicken factions began tampering with traps and Parra was dropped from the city payroll.  In 2008, Assistant City Manager, John Jones, made some comments to the local paper urging fed-up locals to "humanely" break the chickens necks, outraging animal lovers.  

You can't make this stuff up!  Nguyen continues with the current Key West solution to the "Gypsy chicken":

http://www.keywestwildlifecenter.org/chickens.html

The City has formed a symbiotic relationship with the Key West Wildlife Center.  In exchange for financial aid, the KWWC, which aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of local birds and other wildlife, serves as a holding center for "nuisance" Gypsy chickens that have been trapped and brought in (traps can be borrowed from the center for a deposit).  The birds are adopted out to people outside of the Keys, who must sign an agreement stating that the birds are for pets and not meat.  Adopted chickens come with a signed letter from the City Mayor attesting to their authentic breeding as "Key West Gypsy Chickens".

As you can see, the Key West Gypsy Chicken is very much a part of Key West.  A colorful part that sets it apart from other destinations.

HURRICANE IRMA, 9/10/2017 update:  Earlier this morning, Hurricane Irma passed through Key West.  I know there is great concern for the Gypsy Chickens.  The following link shows a very small rescue of some of the chickens that were taken from the island and will be returned. www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article171996022.html

**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce", merchants or citizens perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

Why Key West?

Here I am in Mississippi, just over 200 miles from numerous beautiful Gulf Coast beaches.  Gulf Shores, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin all come to mind.  And yet each year, I keep on going back to Key West, FL.  So some people ask me, why Key West?

Maybe Key West just came along at the right time.  My wife and I waved goodbye to our daughter and new son-in-law as they drove from their wedding reception.  They were on their way to their honeymoon in Cancun.  After we got home from the reception, my wife looked at me and said, "Shouldn't we be the ones taking a trip?"

As some of you may know, being a  parent of the bride can take a lot out of you, financially and emotionally and I was ready for an escape.  Within the next week, my wife had put together a trip to Key West.  A flight on Delta Airlines to the small Key West Airport and accommodations at the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa.  It sounded good to me.

Our flight touched down at just past noon in Key West and a short cab ride later, we arrived at the Hyatt.  Five days and four nights later, fully refreshed, I had fallen in love with Key West!

In the following blogs, I will in more detail explain what I love about Key West, things that my wife and I have discovered and things that will make your trip easier and more enjoyable.  Should you have a Key West question, I can answer it from a tourist perspective instead of a "Chamber of Commerce" or Merchant's perspective.  I will be honest and helpful.  Feel free to email me at nationsricky@gmail.com.  Please make sure that you place the words, "KEY WEST" in the subject line.

I wish you safe and fun travel.


**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

The Key West Sandal

The many colors of Kino sandals

In Key West, the primary footwear is sandals.  While on a trip to Key West, my wife placed a post on Facebook telling the world how much we were enjoying our trip.  Within hours, two of her friends, one who grew up in KW and the other who visits there often told her that she "had to go to Kino's".  Up until this point, we didn't even know that there was such a thing as a Kino sandal. Immediately, it became of utmost importance that we visit Kino's which just happened to be within blocks of our hotel (WARNING:  If you are staying at either the Hyatt or Margaritaville, Kino's is within very easy walking distance).

So, off we go down a few blocks on Front Street which runs parallel to Mallory Square, headed toward Kino's.  One block south of Duval Street is the intersection of Front Street and Fitzpatrick Street.  Turn left and within twenty or so yards is a building with a small plaza and a very small sign, "Kino's Sandals".

Kino's Plaza

If you are looking for upscale retail, then don't go to Kino's.  When you enter the small plaza, you will find Kino's in the left corner of the stucco building.  When you first enter, you will notice a long "L" shaped counter filled with two or three styles of a very simple sandal.  There will be a large selection of colors and the colors may change from day to day.  Behind the counter are big cardboard boxes of different-sized sandals.  You wait your turn and hope to be waited on.  Once waited on, they will gather the sandals that you request and you can then either continue to shop or pay for your new footwear.

Behind the counter in full view is the "sandal factory" where the sandals are made.  It is very interesting to be in the same location where the sandals are being handmade.  The whole Kino's experience has a bit of a Central American feel to it.

Main counter inside Kino's.

The sandals are made with natural leather uppers and natural rubber soles and seem to last forever.  I have talked with two different female customers who came in to buy more Kino's although they were wearing perfectly good Kino sandals.  One woman took the pair she was wearing off and told me, "Look at these.  They are five years old and I wear them all of the time."  Besides the Kino's name being worn off from the inside of the sandal, the sandals looked as good as new. Perhaps being handmade by craftsmen instead of by a machine helps them to last longer.

Now here is the best part:  The sandals cost somewhere between $14-$18.  Most of the women's sandals cost $14-$15.  My wife loves hers and wears them all of the time.  On our last trip to Key West, my daughter, son, and son-in-law, all asked that we get them another pair of Kino's

There are a few negatives when shopping at Kino's.  First, you are in a tropical climate and the store will be warm.  It will be even warmer if the store is busy.  Second, the store may be very busy especially if a large cruise ship is in town.  Third, the people working behind the counter are doing their best but may seem to overlook you.  If you get that feeling, in a nice way, let them know that you are there and what you need.  They will help you.

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind Key West experience and an inexpensive sandal that lasts for years and molds to your foot, then a trip to Kino's is in store for you.

*Kino's is located at 107 Fitzpatrick St, Key West, FL

**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

"Don't You Want'a Get A Pedicure?"

On our last trip to Key West, my wife informed me that she had set an appointment for she and I to have a pedicure at Nailtini on Duval Street.  While not of the Duck Dynasty mold, as a southern male, I looked at her as if she were crazy.  She replied, "Don't you want'a get a pedicure?  Come on, you'll like it."  Having my reservations, I agreed and knew that part of my Key West vacation would be spent getting "sissy-ed up".

The morning of our appointment came and we walked from our hotel down Duval Street to Nailtini Nail Bar and Day Spa.  With no problems, we found the small quaint frame building that Nailtini calls home.  As we entered, we were given a professional yet friendly greeting.   Our reservation was confirmed and we were seated in the brand new chairs that had just been installed the day before.  We were literally the first two pedicures given in the new chairs of the newly remodeled Nailtini.

A pedicure novice at age 54, I sat in the chair and waited for what was to come.  A complimentary martini was offered to both of us and Athena, a very friendly and delightful person, sat before me and began the pedicure.  Guys, to be honest with you, it felt good.  Really good!  Athena and I yakked it up and she told me about a new workout (Cross Fit?) that she had just begun the night before and how sore she was.  When the pedicure was complete, I kind of hated to go.  My feet felt so good and my toes looked great in my sandals.  The whole experience had been a lot of fun.

Thanks to Athena for a great first pedicure and good conversation!

I'll be back next year for another "pedi".  I'm kind of sold on it.  And I'll be back at Nailtini.  I'm kind of sold on them too.


**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

Key West: Should I Drive, Ferry or Fly?

It may seem like a stupid question, "What's the best way to get to Key West?"  But take my word for it, it's not!

There are basically three extremely different ways to get to this very isolated location.  One is to drive to Miami and head south on Highway 1.  I have taken this drive and while it seems like a short distance on the map, it is not.  You will see a number of signs around Key West that say, "Havana 90 miles, Miami 151 miles".  Key West is literally closer to Cuba than it is to Miami.

The drive would not be bad except for a couple of major reasons: two lane road/bridges and a very slow speed limit.  Don't fall into the trap of, "but the cost to fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale is so much less than flying into Key West".  Yep, you're right.  And then you stand in line and rent a car and hit the crowded Dade County roads headed south.  Baggage in the trunk, headed to Key West.  You are excited and can't wait to get there.  The only problem is that you're going to wait.  Patience while traveling the Florida Keys is a must.  The speed limit for the drive will range from a high of 55 MPH (if not behind slow and dense traffic), down to 45 and 35 MPH when going through the few towns along the way. 

I remember the first time I went to Key West for a day trip, I left Fort Lauderdale headed south.  Just over four long hours later, I arrived in Key West with the knowledge that I would have to turn around and make the same trip over again later that day.  It did not make for an enjoyable day trip.

I have heard more than a dozen or so people complain about the trip from the mainland and through the Keys.  So, as you can see, I'm not that excited and do not recommend traveling to Key West by car unless that is your only option.  If so, just be patient and know that at the end of Highway 1 at Mile Marker 0 is Key West.

I know I have been very disparaging about driving to Key West but somewhere around 2009,  Highway 1/the Overseas Highway was named an All-American Road.  I have found one link from tripadvisor.com that as of this writing has 1129 reviews that are all mostly positive.  It will be your call, but as I have stated before, my advice would be to travel to Key West another way.

The second mode of travel is the one that I am least familiar with.  It is the Key West Express, the ferry to Key West.  The ferry travels from Fort Myers Beach year-round and Marco Island seasonally.  They advertise that "Getting there is half the fun".  A video link on YouTube for Key West Express shows the ferry ride and gives good information.

The time of travel from port to port is approximately 3.5 hours in each direction if the weather and marine conditions are good.

Of course, the last way for the masses to travel to Key West is by air.  It is by far, my favorite.  The Key West International Airport (KWIA) looks like something you would see in a Central American country.  This two
story small airport with the words, "Welcome to the Conch Republic" emblazoned on the entryway from the plane to the airport puts you in the mood that you are somewhere different.

A short cab ride later ($16 plus $4 tip) puts you at your hotel in downtown Key West.  When you step foot from the cab into the downtown area of Key West, if you are a reasonably healthy person, then you will never need transportation again until it is time to go back to the airport. Almost everything that you will want to see or do is within walking/strolling distance.

A number of airlines fly into KWIA.  As of 2013, American Airlines, Cape Air, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, U.S. Airways, and Delta Airlines all provided service to Key West.  I have always flown Delta Airlines from Atlanta which travels down the western coastline of Florida.  If the weather is good and you have a window seat, you will see the bend from the panhandle to the peninsula as well as Tampa Bay.  At that point, you know you are not far away.

A couple of things to remember as you start to close in on Key West by air.  First, the KWIA runway is the shortest in the US at 4801 feet in length.  Your pilot will probably advise you of this and let you know that the plane will be coming down hard and stopping quickly.  As a passenger, I have never had any discomfort in this.  Also, when you arrive, you see the "quaintness" of the airport as you walk down the stairs from the plane onto the tarmac and make your way to the entry to the airport.

It is your choice as to how you get to Key West.  I simply recommend that you go.  It is a wonderful, beautiful, relaxing place.

UPDATE:  Although I am not a great fan of the "road trip" from Miami to Key West, the following December 2018, New York Times story makes it sound very interesting with the exception of traffic cops:  GREAT NEW YORK TIMES "ROAD TRIP" STORY (I still like to fly!)


**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

The Conch Republic Secedes from U.S. in 1982

You gotta love it.  They warned'em. One of the more interesting stories in the history of Key West is when they seceded from the United States in 1982.  An interesting story about how a very small group of people stood up to their government in a tongue in cheek sort of way but actually seceded from the United States.  In doing so, they got their point across to the Reagan administration and life went on in the Keys as it should be.

It is this sort of free thinking spirit that makes Key West and the Florida Keys a special place.  The following is a blog that I wrote on December 5, 2012:


THE LAST TO SECEDE FROM THE U.S.: THE CONCH REPUBLIC

This past June, I had the pleasure of visiting Key West, FL, the last place to secede from the United States.  As I stepped off the airplane and on to the runway, I looked at the big block lettering near the top of the exterior airport wall, "Welcome to the Conch Republic".

Of course everyone is familiar with the Confederate States of America and their secession from the United States but many are not familiar with the Key West secession.  The following is a brief description of the Key West secession from a blog by Rob Lammie titled, 8 Secessionist Movements in the American History:  

In the early-1980s, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a checkpoint at the entrance to the Florida Keys in an effort to stop illegal drugs and immigrants. The time to check everyone’s identification at the checkpoint resulted in a 20-mile traffic jam that turned tourists away, thus damaging the economy in the Keys. After numerous legal attempts to have the checkpoint removed, on April 23, 1982, Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow declared the Florida Keys were seceding from the Union.

Moments later, now-Prime Minister Wardlow symbolically declared war on the U.S. by breaking a stale piece of Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. One minute later, Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the U.S. Naval Base at Key West and surrendered, thus ending the Conch Republic’s Civil Rebellion. He then immediately asked for $1 billion in federal aid to help rebuild his war-torn nation’s economy. While officially the Republic only existed for one minute, the tongue-in-cheek spirit of the rebellion lives on. Today you can buy Conch Republic citizen and diplomatic passports (both of which have been used for international travel, though they are not intended to be official documents) and even an official flag of the republic. 

The secession was successful and the Border Patrol ceased having checkpoints on Hwy 1.  As the Conch Republic motto's states, "We seceded where others failed".


**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

Margaritaville Resort and Marina: Your Access to Sunset Key

A while back, my wife and I discovered a wonderful, isolated tropical location right here in the United States: Key West, FL.  The island which is just over a mile wide is great for walking/strolling.  On many evenings, we would make our way down to Mallory Square, a large public plaza along the waterfront facing west.  It is here that much of the island will come to watch the sunset each evening.  Just off the coastline is a very small Key known as Sunset Key.  This small twenty-seven acre Key is aptly named as it is generally behind this Key where the sun sets.

Sunset Key, the area with beach is Margaritaville's Sunset Key Cottages.

On this small Key are a handful of very upscale, expensive homes.  On seven acres of the Key, the Margaritaville Resort and Marina has a small number of cottages, some overlooking the water and others overlooking the pool.

The pool is set in among the palm trees and cottages right along the edge of the Key and was one of the most wonderful, relaxing pools that I have ever experienced.  Guests of the cottages have instant access to this pool simply by being guests there.  But what about the guests of the Margaritaville Resort over on Key West?  Can they take advantage of this wonderful place in this beautiful setting?   As it turns out they can!

Each day, the Margaritaville Resort allows travel by boat from the Margaritaville Marina to Sunset Key.  But, here is the catch.  Not everyone can go.  Only the first twenty guests of the Margaritaville Resort who sign up with the resort each morning are given an access pass to Sunset Key.  This pass gives you a boat ride to and from the Key and access to the pool, restaurant and small beach.  The water is beautifully clear!

REMEMBER:  The Resort begins to take names at 8AM.  It is smart to be there a little early to make sure you get your name on the list.  Most people staying at the resort know nothing about the ability to go to Sunset Key, so that is very much in your favor.

I highly recommend that if you stay at the Margaritaville Resort (formerly the Westin Key West Resort), then most certainly try to go to Sunset Key.  And, if you just happen to be staying in a cottage at the Sunset Key Cottages, then good for you!

IMPORTANT 2017 UPDATE:  As stated above, the Westin Key West Resort has been purchased by Margaritaville.  As would be expected, Westin points are not accepted by Margaritaville.  The Westin Sunset Key Resort is now Sunset Key Cottages and they operate with Margaritaville.

One other bit of advice related to Margaritaville: At 500 Duval Street, you will find Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant.  What initially appeared to me as another "gimmick" restaurant actually has a very good cheeseburger.  Just like the song, "Cheeseburger in Paradise". 

**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.