Thursday, February 18, 2021

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

 Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  February 17, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z

Touring Key West

Marc-   We returned to Key West to see some sights, since we did not see much of it yesterday.  This is one town that takes several days to visit.  We started by the Truman Waterfront Park and the US Coast Guard Cutter Ingraham.  Walking the tree lined streets in the Truman Annex quarter was most impressive.  The homes are all perfect in what was once a Navy base.  We soon located the "Little White House," a transformed Commanders residence, which President Truman used for rest and relaxation while still working during his presidency from 1945 to 1953.  We enjoyed the tour.  The home is impressive not for its elegance but for its simplicity.  Several important government meetings were held here.  Most of the furniture remains from the Truman years. The only eccentric item was a fancy poker table used by President Truman.  It came with a covering top to conceal it during government meetings.  Our guide explained that the Presidential Yacht would tie to a nearby pier during the Truman visits to house staff and it was where food was prepared for the Little White House.  

Our next highpoint, besides walking the pretty streets, was our visit to the Ernest Hemingway House.  Mr. Hemingway enjoyed the good life and his home showed some interesting details including a large in-ground pool and a separate house for his many cats (there are currently 57 of them).  Some of the cat housing is a replica of Hemingway's house, but this particular cat house also has air conditioning (which the big house does not have).  Before Hemingway owned it, the house was owned by the wealthiest family in Key West.  

A Kapok tree

One of many Key West chickens

A Banyan tree

One of the homes in the Truman Annex

Just a typical Key West home

Condos in Key West

One view of Hemmingway's house (the porch goes all the way around).

Hemmingway's pool

Hemmingway's study

One of many cats in the house

This is the cat house in back.

A turtle pool in the Hemingway yard.

Green Parrot Pub

Key West little free library








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