Our first stop on the cruise was Key West Florida. In the center of town was a square dedicated to the main source of commerce in the early days of Key West which was rescuing individuals from ship wrecks and salvaging the goods and selling them from all those ships which did not survive the hurricanes.
Key West is also famous for being an escape for President Truman as well as the home of Ernest Hemingway. There are a huge number of ;chickens and roosters that roam free on the island. Taking refuge in the trees at night to protect them from predators. We never heard any real explanation of where these fowl came from but they seem to live in peace among the locals and the tourists..
We visited the Shipwreck museum pictured below. It was an interesting look at the history of Key West and the Florida Keys.
Some of the booty pictured below that was removed from a shipwreck then sold to the locals and to other parts of the United States via laws that allowed this during the 1800s.
Attached to the museum is this tower which is the highest spot on the island. We climbed this tower and were treated to an incredible view in spite of the cloudy windy day.
Here is a picture of Martin at the top of the tower. It wasn't exactly the tropical weather we were expecting on this cruise. At least it didn't rain!
Oh, yes, we can't forget Key West's other claim to fame. It is the southern most point in the continental US. Only 90 miles to Cuba!
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