ECONOGAL

Even though I spent most of my childhood growing up in Florida, my recent trip to Key West was my first. The family vacation was generational. The not quite one-year-olds at one end and the almost retiree at the other end of the age span. A museum visit and a boat trip to a reef for snorkeling highlighted the activities that did not include food. And of course, when travelling with a group of twelve, meals are always an event unto themselves.

Ernest Hemingway lived on the island for a short but productive time of his life. Nearly seventy percent of his books were written in this almost decade from 1928 to 1939. He bought a house that was built by Asa Tift. (It would be interesting to learn more about the Tift and the house he built in the mid-1850s.) Then his wife, Pauline, oversaw the addition of a beautiful pool.

The house is now a museum, a home for a plethora of cats and a tiny bit of a tourist trap. There were too many people on the grounds to linger for the hours I could have spent there. The one guide I listened to briefly needed better training. We learned more from the signage of the displays and those in various locations on the grounds.

The architecture and structural soundness of the house is amazing. The exterior stone wall built for Hemingway’s privacy may add protection from the many tropical storms and hurricanes that have passed through Key West.

The main adventure excursion was a boat trip to the coral reefs off the coast of Key West. The babies and I enjoyed the boat ride. The three-year old bravely attempted the water a couple of times and the older kids and adults loved the activity even though the waters are still a bit cool. We used Sunset Water Sports and felt they earned their fee.

Dolphins and fish were spotted. The reefs were close to the surface, and we chose the calmest of the two days to venture out. Veteran snorkelers may prefer an alternative as the time in the water is short. Also, multiple boats were at the site.

Duval Street is the hub of tourist activity. Multiple restaurants, art galleries and gift shops line the similar, but not the same as Bourbon Street, boulevard. The spring break crowds made the atmosphere lively but there was plenty of room for strolling on the sidewalks.

The weekend we were in Key West was seasonal to a bit on the cool side. Highs in the upper 70s. Veteran Floridians wore light jackets in the evenings but northerners went without. Ubers were plentiful and shuttles were also available during the day.

Groups of twelve make it tough to find a table. But we succeeded. Our first night we dined at The Waterfront Brewery…an arcade, restaurant and bar rolled into one. Loud and entertaining for the kids. So, I did not expect fantastic food as well. But the meal was the best of the trip. Fresh scallops and shrimp atop a mouth-watering risotto. If we stayed more than two days this would be a repeat dining option.

Since not everyone in the group partakes in breakfast, we ate in smaller numbers. While I enjoyed a healthy breakfast at the Parrot Key Hotel and Villas, (more later) my favorite breakfast was a local spot within walking distance of our hotel.

Goldman’s Deli is in a strip center at 2796 N. Roosevelt Blvd. If you take a trip to Key West this is a fantastic place for either breakfast or lunch. The service is great and so is the food. I was even able to get an oatmeal to go for another member of the party. But bring an appetite because the servings are big.

My daughter and her family actually visited here twice! And you can of course buy a T-shirt…it is Key West after all.

A final note on our stay. As I age, I am trying to delegate more. So, the find of Parrot Key Hotel is attributed to my daughters. However, I made the arrangements, and the resort was great to work with. Everything from the pools and The Grove Restaurant attached to the main pool to the artificially created beach was perfect. The location is on the water but in a protected bay area thus the manmade beach. However, the beach feel is there, and the kids loved playing in the sand.

In my opinion, the increase in the price for these waterfront rooms was well worth it. The lower-level rooms are great for seniors. The resort comes complete with island chickens and roosters, and one can experience the sounds of Reveille and Retreat from across the water. All things I appreciated. This resort is about two miles from Duvall Street. So, perfect if you want a bit of space from the nightlife. I highly recommend this resort.