Mallory Square Sunset

Mallory Square Sunset, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Concert goers?? No, just the daily crowd getting a good viewing spot for the evening's sunset. Mallory Square in Key West.

Keys Beach

Keys Beach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
It's the end of April. A pleasant surprise for this lingering snowbird is that the crowds have left for cooler northern climes. Granted, the afternoons can get a bit warm away from the water and the A/C needs to run more often but the beaches are uncrowded. Gone are the long waits for that six o'clock table and busy highways seem like country roads. So as I take a compass heading and prepare to follow the flock, it's worthwhile to take a long last glance before taking flight.

Sailing Key West

Sailing Key West, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The harbor in Key West comes alive with all manner of sailing vessels as the afternoon slowly becomes early evening. The southern most spot in the States, where the Gulf and the Atlantic join, provides some of the best views of days end as the setting sun slips below the watery horizon. It's well worth the price of admission.....

Harbor Key West

Harbor Key West, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The Port of Key West....A dockhand awaits the command to castoff bow lines for a visiting cruise ship. Like many small islands along the cruise circuit, Key West experiences the cruise port blessing and curse of the passenger invasion. The financial gains along Duval Street are off-set by overcrowded sidewalks and traffic that comes with the sunburned visitors. A sense of normalcy and quiet returns as those dock lines are slipped off the capstans. 

Key West Sail

Key West Sail, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
For me, there are few things as relaxing as a early evening sail and in the Keys it's even more special. An appreciation of natural beauty seems prevalent throughout Key West. Both the locals and the tourists always seem to make time to smell those roses and admire those vistas.

Sailing By

Sailing By, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
In Key West the sunset is really the best show in town and for sure draws the largest crowds. Sunset watchers who opt not for crowded Mallory Square often book on one of the dozen or so "Sunset Sail" options. Choices for such adventures run the gamete from all you can drink catamarans to wine and cheese cruises. Other options include sails on historic vessels. In the end though, it's all about the sunset.