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Quote of the month...

"Standing tall is a very admirable thing. There are very few stories in history of heroes who slouched to the rescue. Likewise, most individuals don't look up to people who are drooped over."
from Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra by Obert Skye

my family

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Foto-story Friday #24-- Key West cont.


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


Everyone needs to take cut-out pictures at least once right?  And what better way than to switch it up a little?!  :)  Troy is smokin' in his bikini! :P
I on the other hand look like.... well, like I partied!  {Which, I most certainly did not, I don't drink!) This is why Troy is fired as a photographer!  {it's Ok I still Love him! :) }
The guys with the original Sponge Bob!  The collection and sale of sponges is what use to keep Key West in business.  Now it is tourism. 
I was just in love with the buildings here.  I love the old style and quaintness of the island.  Many of the building bear the Cuban origins. 
Ok, we HAD to go to DelSol for the color changing nail polish.  They have quite the selection and it is SO cool to watch the color change.  I finally decided on silver to ruby.  {I'll have to get a before and after shot of my nails in action!}  This awesome nail polish comes with a heart stopping price tag {for me at least!} of $10 a bottle {normal size}.
We walked by the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, would have been fun to pop in there, but we were running late on time, had to be back on board by 4:30 or 5 PM.
Everyone who visits Key West should get their picture taken with the famous mile zero sign that marks the beginning {or end} of highway 1.
I like this light fixture.... wonder if I could find some similar for my house.... probably wouldn't look as cool on mine :(
The same house had these cool window boxes flanking the front door.
I don't know what kind of tree this is, but it IS cool!  There were also trees that came together and covered the road.  It was very interesting to this northwesterner, used to pine trees and shrub pines!
This is the Kapok tree or the Ceiba or the Silkcotton tree. It is a sacred Mayan tree.  They believed that the souls of the dead climbed a Kapok to get to heaven.  This tree can grow 10 feet in one year.  It can reach heights of 130 feet.  The Kapok shed their leaves once a year and flower every 5 years.  Commercial Kapok comes mainly from Java Indonesia.  It is used for furniture, insulation, stuffing and is found in some life jackets.  In Africa they use it for canoes and caskets. The fibers are short and breaks easily, so they are not suitable for clothing like cotton is.  The seeds are edible.
I love the base of the tree.  These buttresses are huge, as you can see from the picture below.  You could play hide and seek real well with this kind of tree in your back yard. 
Another must take photo if you visit Key West is this sign.  The third place to get a photo is with the bouie at the tip of the island.  Sorry, we didn't get off the trolley for that one.  The line was way long, so I didn't do it!
Here are Troy and his parents kicking back and taking it easy on their veranda.  Our stateroom was the one on the left.  They waved down to us and so I, of course, snapped this picture.  (I should not admit this, but) As I was replacing the lens cap and walking at the same time, I failed to see that there were 2 steps up and I missed them both!  Yeah that's me Miss Grace!  The scrape on my knee is almost healed, thank you! 
As the ship moored behind us set "sail" and the sun began its westward journey to kiss the sea, it was a wonderful day in Key West!

14 comments:

Lori of I'm no super Mom said...

Looks like you had a blast!

tiarastantrums said...

looks like you are having too much fun !!!

ps - I don't sleep(maybe 3-4 hours a night) - thus the reading of mags

CC said...

Wow! So much fun. I would love to visit there :)

Killlashandra said...

Wow, looks like a wonderful trip to key west. I've never been there but there are sure a lot of neat places to visit. The tree is wonderful. I love those roots too. And although the nail polish is ridiculously expensive who could resist. ;)

tammi said...

Thanks for the tour! What a beautiful place to take a vacation! Must add this to my "list"...

Love that last shot!

Jaina said...

I seriously cannot stop laughing about the bikini shot. And hey, I know those steps deliberately moved. They're in league with the walls and doors, it's not your fault they're mischievous. ;)

Are You Serious! said...

♥ Great pictures! It looks like a great time! :)

Chris said...

I have always wanted to go to Key West -- the greatest of all the end of the road towns. It looks like a lot of fun, and I love that last shot -- nice job!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

looks like you had a blast, what fun pictures!

Unknown said...

I don't know where to start - so many great shots and sights! I LOVE that tree, do you think they'd ship it to me? :)

latree said...

I'm jealous :D

scrappysue said...

you make me wanna go there! what awesome pics from what looks like an awesome trip!

Lindsay said...

Those pics are great - especially love the one of that awesome looking tree!!

JenEverAfter said...

HOw fun! We were in Key West quite a while ago. It's amazing how there is so much concrete, yet so much foliage!