Another day in historic Key West. And it’s another CHILLY day in Key West. While we are not suffering the eyebrow and nose hair-freezing temps of the NE and midwest, it certainly isn’t very Floridian down here. Lots of layers of what otherwise would qualify as summer wear is the weather, but not fashion, dictate.
A brisk walk to warm up the old bones took us to Glazed Donuts, a little shop just off Duval Street that is known for its donuts. Specifically its Maple Bourbon with candied Bacon variety. While that wasn’t my selection I will say that the Cinnamon Sugar donut was pretty amazing. And then to walk off the calories, back to Mallory Square for a trinket or two to bring back to friends and family.
By noon it had begun to warm up, so we headed back to the “garden apartment” that has been our airbnb home for the past 3 days to collect our beach bikes to ride to …. the beach. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is home to a gorgeous beach, and to America’s southernmost Civil War fortress. Construction of the fort began in 1845, but was halted during the War. Florida had seceded from the Union, but Yankee forces used the Fort as a base to block Confederate shipping. The Fort, finally completed in 1866, was also used in the Spanish-American War. I didn’t do the tour because the weather was too nice, and the wind that has been howling for days was somehow missing from this part of the island. The beach faces south, fronting the Straits of Florida. A little rocky island just off shore was the perfect perching place for pelicans and other sea birds.
It was a delightful spot to take in some sun and finish a book I was reading. Then I rode my hot wheel bike down to Mile 0 for a photo op — gotta do all the touristy things! I missed sunset tonight as we had decided to eat in again, and with the wind howling outside, I think I will even pass on a walk out for Key Lime Pie.
Tomorrow we drive back up the Keys, with a stop along the way at a beach we may not have explored yet. Our next airbnb adventure awaits us in Homestead.
Looks delightful! Kinda reminding me of Bermuda.