More Key West

Forry and I sent Leslie and Bill off to go kayaking and snorkeling today, while we took the day off to rest. We were both so tired this morning we decided we needed a down day.

Here are some more pictures from yesterday --

This is the guys in the front seat of the electric car we rented --

And this is the place they were looking for --

And this is what they were after --

Frozen Key Lime pie dipped in chocolate --

I finally found out the name of this gorgeous plant we have seen all over Key West. It is a spider lily.

I spotted this interesting shrub across the street from where we had rented the electric car --

It's a Bush Allamanda, a Brazilian native --

While this is the shrub form, it also can be a type of vine --

These are a pair of the Key West natives. Banty chickens have the run of the city and are all over.  I think they keep the ants and other pests down.

After we returned the rental electric care, and as it got towards sundown, we headed towards the harbor and Mallory Square --

A good share of the population, locals and tourists alike, flock to the harbor to watch the sunset --

There were a few clouds in the sky, but it was a beautiful sight --

Leslie had wonderful memories of a Cuban restaurant, El Siboney, she had eaten at fifteen years ago when she last visited Key West. It ended up being a long walk in a very dark residential neighborhood, but we finally found it (we were beginning to wonder about her memory!). There was a long line out the door and we had about a twenty minute wait. It was well worth it! We had a wonderful meal of roast pulled pork, yellow rice, plantains and black beans. The portions were so large, Forry and I had more than enough for our meal tonight.

Truman's Little White House

There are a couple of "must-visit" places in Key West. One of them is Harry S Truman's Little White House.

The land the Little White House is on was deeded to the State of Florida by the Navy. It was originally the house of the commandant, but was remodeled for his use after President Truman decided that vacations at Key West suited him well.

Unfortunately, this is as far as you can go with a camera --

The streets of Key West are beautifully landscaped. This pretty flower has nasty thorns on its stems -- 

I've never seen this plant before -- even in a florist shop. It is gorgeous!

This is a banyan tree on one of the downtown street corners --

We had wanted to go to a Cuban restaurant for dinner, but the most highly rated one is closed on Mondays. So we headed back home and went to Mangrove Mama's which is right across the road from the turn to the KOA. We both had seared scallops and yellow rice which were delicious. I can't say the same for the carrots (though Forry thought they were great...)!

And you can't be in the Keys without eating Key Lime Pie! (too bad the point disappeared before I took the picture...!)