The Duval Crawl and a fitting end...

One of the big attractions in Key West, other than its  island charm, liberal attitudes,  world class fishing, Jimmy Buffet (as patron saint) and it's  sunset celebration (every night) , is it's lack of an open container law.  i.e. you can walk around with your favorite beverage from place to place.

 

The most famous and popular street in KW, is the mile long Duval street, which stretches from harbor to the Atlantic ocean. All along Duval you'll find tourist shops,  restaurants,  ocean activity kiosks and the ubiquitous bar or saloon.  -- Nearly every night we'd stroll Duval and watch the merriment. We spent a few nights here. They have cheap drinks, a dance floor and live music every night. I even drank a beer there, until the too loud music and the vile cigarette and cigar smoke drove us away.  Sloppy Joe's is best known as Earnest Hemmingway's favorite watering hole, with photos and memorabilia adorning the walls.  Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville"  is a couple blocks away, the "Hardrock",  "cheeseburger in paradise", "Biggun's" (don't ask) are all within a couple blocks of each other.  The Hog's Breath Saloon, not to be confused with the "Hog's breath inn" of Clint Eastwood fame, is not technically on Duval but close enough. I like there motto "Hog's breath is better than no breath"

During our last night in Key West, (Friday night)  shortly after sunset, we boarded a small boat for about a 10 minute ride to sunset key a small island with homes, cottages, a private beach and small restaurant  (Latitude's), for our final meal. There were at most 4 couple's,  in an open restaurant just steps to the ocean with a soothing island breeze carrying our cares and troubles out to sea.  The service was awesome, wine list first rate and the food delicious. It was a wonderful end to a much needed vacation.