Reflections on Key West

The motorcycle ride from Memphis to Key West with my good friend, Jerry Wagley, was to check-off one more thing on both of our bucket lists, which we did. Thoroughly enjoyed the 1500 or so miles with great weather, great sights, and altogether great fun. Spent parts of 3 days and two nights in Key West-- nearly all of which was spent on Duval Street. So, let me tell you about Duval.

Duval street is the heart and soul of Key West and is known as the drunkest street in America. Why? Because Duval is 14 blocks long in which there are 100 bars, saloons, and other establishments that serve adult beverages. In that 14 blocks are souvenir stores, tatoo shops, restaurants, exotic dance clubs, ice cream parlors, and a jewelry store or two. There's also Ernest Hemmingway's home, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Jimmy Duffet's Margarittaville and the Little White House of Pres. Harry Truman.

From the Southernmost Point in the USA on the South end to the Sunset Celebration (everyday of the year) on the other end, to say the least, Duval is where it's happening in Key West, Florida. Duval is a little bit of Bourbon Street, a little bit of Beale Street, a little bit of Haight-Ashbury in San Franciso, and a little bit of Ringling Bros Circus.

Duval was very clean-- no panhandlers, no obnoxious drunks (although there was plenty of adult beverages being consumed) and no fear of being mugged or having your pocket picked. There were plenty of street people, trying to make a living in whatever way they could pick up a buck here and there, but they were working their craft. I am so disappointed that I did not have my camera to snap the picture of a man sitting on a stool with a sign that read: Dirty Jokes: $1.00. Now, that's doing whatever it takes to make a living-- and I might add, for a couple of bucks, I picked up a couple of good ones!

So, what did I think of Duval Street? It's just a little bitty street in Key West town, nothing too high toned, with alot of good will and maybe one small thrill, but there ain't nothing dirty going on.