Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Tuesday Travels: Key West on the Brain

The Florida Keys have long constituted one of my favorite regions in America. Always warm, often sunny, and virtually isolated, they comprise a world all their own. So, perhaps it’s no wonder that, as the days get colder and drearier in northern Michigan, I have Key West on the brain. Palm trees, banana leaves, Victorian inns, Caribbean bungalows, fresh seafood, French crepes, Hemingway haunts, lively annual events, and snorkeling opportunities galore – yeah, it’s safe to say that I adore that crazy little island.

In fact, I felt so inspired today that I even featured Key West cuisine on my American Nomad blog. Check it out if you have a chance.

And then riddle me this: Do you like islands? If so, do you have a favorite one?

12 comments:

Joshua McCune said...

Definitely a place I'd like to visit sometime.

Don't think I've ever told you this, Laura, but you blog nicely (very visually appealing and down to earth).

Anyway, back on track... ummm, favorite island I've been to would be New Zealand. Would like to go to something a bit more tropical (Fiji sounds nice) at some point.

Susan R. Mills said...

I've only been to two islands. The Bahamas and Hawaii. I think I liked The Bahamas better. I think I need to get out and travel more. :)

L. T. Host said...

I have yet to visit a true island. I crave it like air, though. Someday, I will travel :)And Key West is now on my list!

Becky said...

Sad to say I've only been to a few islands. Grand Isle, LA, and Ship Island, just off Mississippi. Both are wonderful, but in totally different ways. The one island I've seen many times and always wanted to go to, living in Southern Oregon, is Wizard Island in Crater Lake National Park.

When do you find out?!?!

Deb said...

Great posts Laura! Your American Nomad post made me hungry, it looks like an awesome place to eat, I mean visit :)

Most of my travel has been within Canada. I lived on Vancouver Island, does that count?

Natalie said...

I'm trying to think if I've ever been on an island... Does Manhattan count? I think I need to do some island traveling. Sounds wonderful.

Laura Martone said...

Sorry, everyone! I took a nap this afternoon, and now I'm behind in, well, everything, so let's see...

Bane - Key West is indeed a groovy place. A lot like New Orleans, but even more tropical! But, New Zealand! Ooh, I'm totally jealous - that's long been on my travel wish list. Dan's too. P.S. Thanks for the blogging compliment. My smile's so big, my cheeks hurt. :-)

Susan - Well, those are islands I've never been to before! Also on my wish list. And, yes, everyone should travel more! I love it so - just wish I got out of America more often.

Laura Martone said...

Oh, L.T., you must visit an island. There's nothing like it. South Padre Island in Texas and Key West both have what they call "island time" - where time seems to move at a more languid, unhurried pace - which is something we can all use from time to time. Glad Key West is now on your list!

Becky - Hey, I've been to Grand Isle! And I've always wanted to see Wizard Island. Now that you're moving back to Oregon, you have no excuse NOT to go!

P.S. When do I find out what? About my book proposal? IDK. First, I have to turn it in - it's due next Monday, and while I hope to have it to the acquisitions team sooner than that, I tend to use every second I have to make it the best I can. Curse of being a perfectionist, I'm afraid.

Laura Martone said...

Thanks, Deb! I live to make my fellow scribes hungry! And Key West is an awesome place to eat - I mean, visit. As for Canadian islands, of course, Vancouver Island counts! Another place I still need to see... hmm, now that I think about it, my island experiences are woefully lacking.

Natalie - Manhattan is an island after all - not quite the same as Key West, but it definitely counts as far as geography goes. Don't think New Yorkers understand the concept of "island time," though - but that could be the skewed opinion of a 12-year-old (the age I was when I last visited NYC) - I'm sure it's changed a lot in two decades.

Becky said...

Yes, the book proposal, and nice abbreviation, BTW ;-). I always think of key limes when I hear about Key West. My love of anything and everything citrus makes me drool big time! I'd ALMOST want to live in a hot place just for the sole purpose of having a lemon tree in my back yard!

Laura Martone said...

Hi, Becky! Wow, you're up late. I'll keep you posted about the proposal, believe me! As to the abbreviations, I'm trying, I'm trying. The writer in me keeps rebelling against these little acronyms.

Mmm, key limes. I know what you mean. Not only do I love limes, but I ADORE key lime pie. It's my favorite treat ever! So, needless to say, I have to have a slice every time on the island, which is more often than it should be. LOL!

Out in Calfornia, we lived in a neighborhood that bore all sorts of trees... lemon, lime, fig, orange, grapefruit, peach, and avocado. It was fun picking all that yummy produce - and for free, no less! For some reason, the lemons were the best I've ever had. I miss them.

Milliscent Morgan said...

For all those travelers better for them to know about inns Caribbean so they could stay there.