Tuesday, Jan 23rd (posted on the 24th)

Day 2

We started the day at the Southernmost point buoy thingy and texted Scott, Margo and Tricia to tell them we were there so they could see us on the webcam (see prior post). Scott and Margo saw us and we waved to them (although scott thought I was making a muscle, whatever).

From there we got back into our car (at our free parking space, a rarity in KW) and cranked up the AC (we were melting) and we drove to the largest thing on the map that we had – St. Mary Star of the Sea. This is the Catholic Church in town and was very cool. Beautiful church with slat doors all around to let the breeze through… a beautiful garden area with a rosary mapped out in stepping stones and at the very end of the garden, a grave stone with, what appeared to be a creepy Halloween type head on top. When we got closer we realized that it was final resting place for the sister who had established the grotto to Mary which was right next to it. When the grotto was dedicated, she said that as long as the grotto stood, Key West would not be destroyed by a hurricane. Turning to our right we headed toward another garden area which contained a walk of the stations of the cross. On our way there we passed a shrine to unborn children, we passed it separately as I was taking a TON of pictures in the first garden, but we both said a prayer for our unborn child as we passed (I call him Patrick Joseph as his due date was March 18th – right between St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day, Jim calls him Michael James as that is a name he always wanted for a child … but I am not keen with Michael so this way he gets the name in)

So onward to the next garden – the stations of the cross – where many geckos ran freely around the garden. (Geckos – not geicos - Geico is the insurance company … Gecko is their mascot)

Onward again we passed a statue of Jesus next to which grew one solitary stunningly beautiful red rose. Then onward still … my face was melting off … literally … well the makeup that I had carefully applied earlier anyway not the actual “face” so I had to go back to the car and tidy up as my eyes were stinging and I couldn’t see anymore. Jim waited for me before entering the Adoration Chapel.

The adoration chapel was built in honor of the sister who dedicatd the grotto. It was really pretty. This chapel has perpetual adoration and there were a few people already in there when we arrived. There was a pretty constant flow of people into the chapel to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. We prayed separately in the chapel, but both prayed the Devine Mercy Chaplet. On the way out we noticed that there was a little display case that contained relics of Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, St. John Neumann and Blessed Faustina (although I think she is a saint now)


From there we went to the lighthouse (because I love lighthouses) and the museum there. And, as luck would have it, we got a free parking space right outside! It is not a functioning lighthouse anymore, but that means that you can climb to the top and get a great view of Key West. Incidentally, it is good that it is not functioning anymore as it is in the middle of land … which makes one ponder how it was ever used as a lighthouse … aren’t lighthouses supposed to be on the coast saying “don’t come over here … I am on the tip of land” instead this one seems like it would have been saying, “if you can see me, you have already hit land, sorry.” But it was a great view from the top anyway.

The woman in the gift shop told us that the “Little White House” which was the vacation spot for Truman was a great take so we decided to go there next. The contents of the house are the same as when Truman visited there. Ya know when you go into someone’s cape house that they only use as a weekend home in the summer and the furniture / rugs / etc are the same as when they bought the place in 1930? The musty smell? Ya so that was this place. OK, so I am not a history buff and old things do not delight me, but Jim is and those things do delight him. So I did learn a lot – like that Truman never went to college … that he was only in office as VP to Roosevelt for like 87 days before FDR died and he had to take over … he didn’t want to be president, but then didn’t want to be known as the accidental president so he campaigned hard against Dewey 4 years later to keep the presidency, and won against all odds … see I paid attention!

From there we went to Sloppy Joes for Linner. We texted Scott, Margo and Trica again for the web cam but margo was at work and could not access it there, scott was at starbucks and tricia was at home but they have a dinosaur of a computer and she could not load the webcam … it is better that way though cause we were eating sloppy joes and that is just not pretty on camera.

Onward to Mallory square to but a Christmas tree ornament that I wanted … and perfect timing for sunset again! Another beautiful sunset! Then to the original Jimmy Buffet Mararitaville for … you guessed it … margaritas! Then to the car … to the boardwalk just to see it … got key lime pie on a stick at the key lime pie factory … and then the 3 hour drive back to Miami.

By the time we left it was dark out (as you know since I told you we caught the sunset at Mallory square) so Jim did not get to see the beautiful blue water on the way back – that is what he gets for sleeping the whole way down there while I drove! I stayed awake and kept him company for the drive back.

We got to our hotel at 11:00 PM – although I did call to tell them that we would be arriving late so that they would hold our room. How is our room? The room itself is fine. King size bed, separate livingroom and a little kitchen. The bathroom is nice too – really big tub – awesome shower. The view? Not so much. Our balcony overlooks the dumpsters (honestly, why even put a balcony on?)

We walked to Johnny Rockets for a burger since it was the only thing open and we were a little hungry from our journey and then went back to go to bed.

End of day 2 – thanks for journeying with us.