The right way to visit the Florida Keys- Part 2

So after we left Key West we made our way to Big Pine Key, home of the endangered Key Deer and probably the most rural island in the keys. We stayed at a bed and breakfast called the Barnacle. We almost hit two giant lizards (and I mean giant) on the way there so watch your speed through the island. We pulled up and it looked like something out of Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I was skeptical at first but it turned out to be a great hidden location.

Our room was unofficially called the “crow’s nest” and it was certainly one of a kind. Our shower was actually outside and you could see the ocean from the doorway. The owners, also not natives to Key West, welcomed us into their B&B and told us to make it our home. For dinner, we drove to a grocery store and bought some pre-marinated meat and pre-made sides to cook in the main kitchen. I sat outside on the Barnacle’s private beach and watched the sunset while several Key Deer came up to see what we were cooking. It was so nice to not hear any traffic for once. We spent the rest of the night looking at the stars.

The right way to visit the Florida Keys- Part 1

For those of you who have always thought of the Florida Keys as an island world where the only thing that matters is what time the bar opens, I have some news for you- you are absolutely right.  The Keys really are heaven on earth and are a perfect getaway for any couple- if you know how to travel them right.

There are two basic methods for traveling the Keys.  The first: fly all the way to Key West, stay there for you’re entire stay and do nothing but tan and drink (don’t worry, the tanning and drinking aren’t excluded from the second method).  The second: fly into Miami, rent a car and work your way down the keys island by island.  And of course, get a tan and bar hop as you do it.  I used the second method when I visited the Keys over my spring break and it was so much better than the typical “college” getaway to Key West.  So, in a couple of installations, I’ll give you my recommendation on where to go and what to do in the Florida Keys.

My boyfriend and I planned this vacation with a low budget- so keep in mind that while what we did was fun, it wasn’t the Ritz…but who cares?!  We flew (on AirTran) into Ft. Lauderdale on a Thursday morning and caught a cab from the airport to an Enterprise station about 5 minutes away.  Flying on a Thursday and taking a $10 cab ride to the car rental agency probably saved each of us around $300.  We asked for a car around the size of a Ford Focus and got upgraded for a Ford Escape Hybrid for no extra cost.  I have to say that the hybrid was really good on gas and made the 4 hour trip to Key West quite comfortable.  We hit a grocery store and the gas station and were on our way.

Once we got into Key West we checked into Alexander Palms Court where we would be staying for the next three days.  This is an excellent resort for people traveling on a budget.  It’s on South Street which is two blocks from the quiet end of Duval.  Our room was private and clean, the heated pool was relaxing and we got a complementary breakfast each morning until 10:00am.  Plus, the manager, a cool guy from Queens named Landon, made all of our dinner and attraction reservations.  He was the perfect person to help us get into the Key West state of mind…and believe me- Key West really is a state of mind.  The way he put it, “The only thing that happens on time in Key West is the sunset…so relax.”

First full day in Key West: we went to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to hang out on the beach.  A little known fact about the Keys- they’re not known for their beaches.  Most of them are coral beaches which means the sand is rough and prickly.  Fort Zachary Taylor is one of the few beaches with actual sand on it.  It was $6 for two people in a car and you could exit and re-enter the park all day.  I’d recommend bringing your own lunch.  We wandered to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration and then for a late dinner we ventured off Duval to a restaurant called Seven Fish.  This place was so tiny, if we didn’t know it was there we never would have found it.  However, it had the juicest Mahi we’ve ever tasted.  Highly recommended.

2nd full day:  We did a little shopping in the morning and then made our way to the marina for a snorkeling cruise on the Caribbean Spirit.  For $35/ person we got about 2 hours of free drinks and snorkeling.  The water wasn’t as clear as it is in Mexico- but the reef (the 3rd largest living coral reef in the world) was beautiful.  We even saw a giant sea turtle!  Relaxing on the boat with the crew was also a great way to hear some of stories from the natives.  Most people in Key West are people who lost or left everything behind and started an island life.  After hearing stories from one crew member in particular, I really believe that there are still pirates in the world.  For dinner we grabbed pizza and started our pub crawl.  It was Key West’s St. Patty’s Day celebration and so two blocks of Duval were closed to traffic.  The open container law isn’t really enforced there and people were literally partying in the streets as we made our way to Fat Tuesdays and, of course, Margaritaville.  Kenny Chesney was in town playing a free concert at Sloppy Joe’s bar.  Who would have thought? 

Last day: we visited the Southernmost Point in the U.S. and found mile marker 0 and the end of Route 1.  Then it was off to our next stop in Big Pine Key.  Some suggestions for Key West however:
1. It’s expensive.  Food, drinks and attractions will wipe you out so manage your budget wisely.
2. Wherever you say, make sure it’s within walking distance from the night life.  Cars don’t mix well there.
3. Leave yourself time to go exploring.  It’s a laid back place- don’t micromanage every minute of your time.

Check back soon for tips on visiting the other Keys!

Tags: Alexander Palms Court, Fat Tuesday, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, Hogsbreath Saloon

Me, Myself & I

So on Tuesday I saw the premiere of Edward Albee’s new play: Me, Myself & I at McCarter Theatre in Princeton. Essentially, a senile mother has named her identical twin boys Otto (otto and OTTO) and after 28 years still cannot tell them apart. The dramatic action starts off with OTTO telling his mother that he wants to become Chinese and that his brother no longer exists. The story goes on with otto trying to find proof of his existence through his various relationships. It’s an absurdist piece that is seemingly nonsensical and yet, gets at the heart of what it’s like to never really know yourself until you look in the mirror.

Tyne Daly played mother and was absolutely phenomenal. She was charismatic and dynamic…her eyes ran the gamut of emotions. Amazing and hilarious. I’ve been urging people to see the show for historical purposes if nothing else. When else do you get to see the world premiere of an Albee show where the principle character is played by an actress like Daly?

Not to mention student tickets are only $12

Tags: McCarter Theater, regional professional theatre, Theatre/Music, Tyne Daly