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.

Reflections on Key

Riding the Wind...

Leaving tomorrow morning (April 11) from Memphis to Key West on a motorcycle ride with my dear friend, Jerry Wagley. Expect to take two weeks going down the West Coast of Florida and coming back on the East Coast all the way to Wilmington, NC and then home. Whuh hah!

To quote my daughter, Leanne Doyle Duncan on her birthday, "When it comes to parenting-- days are long but years are short."

A Powerful Quote From Ralph Waldo Emerson

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

No Matter Who You Are, That's Funny!

Ten Mark Twain Zingers

Truth is more of a stranger than fiction.

Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.

The report of my death was an exaggeration.

Familiarity breeds contempt - and children.

Good breeding consists of concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.

A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.