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FUN  IN  KEY  WEST

 

We decided to spend a week in Key West, in December, celebrating our 60th Anniversary, swimming, riding our bicycles, and generally enjoying warm weather. We had made our reservations a few months in advance and were pleasantly surprised to  find that Kay West was celebrating its fabled Fantasy Fest the weekend we were there. This event usually occurs at Halloween but was postponed due to the hurricane at that time.

 

On our way south to Key West we stopped at the Theater of the Sea. Ruth fed the stingrays their breakfast. Then we enjoyed watching the parrot, dolphin and seal shows at the attraction.

 

 

 

 

 

On our Anniversary Day we boarded a catamaran for the 60 mile trip to the Dry Tortugas. There we toured the fort that had never been finished but was used as a prison during the Civil War. We also went swimming at a lovely beach alongside the fort but declined returning for a second dip when Ruth spotted a nurse shark a few feet from the shore. We finished our special day by dining at a plush restaurant and dancing at a local country bar.

 

The Fort is surrounded by a moat.

 

At The Fort

 

 

We enjoyed walking down Duval Street, in Key West, during Fantasy Fest. Some people seemed to loose their inhibitions. A few women were topless but were spray painted with exotic designs. Store windows had suggestive displays. But it was all in fun. We took pictures during the day but did not photograph the lovely floats during the parade at night.

 

A store display

Getting spray- painted

 

A group all dressed for the occasion        Ruth posing beside the spray-painter's sign

 

Ruth got into the spirit of the occasion.

 

People gather nightly at Mallory Square, in Key West, to watch the street acts, buy souvenirs, and observe the beautiful sunsets if weather permits. Sometimes it is cloudy but the view can still be spectacular.

 

 

 

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