Key West picture of the day - 22 September 2011

I wandered down to Fort Zac beach and took this snap of the Australian pines there.   I'm glad they weren't destroyed - invasive or not - they are magnificent.

Australian pines at Fort Zach Taylor beach in Key West

Local Key West issue - just the one!

I don’t want to delve into local issues – I’m not an expert, I don’t live in Key West all the time and that’s not what this blog is about.

And I don’t want to start the debate here whether Key West is getting better or worse - even though I had a lot of interesting conversations about this issue, as usual, this visit.

However, I will comment on the plan to widen the main ship route into the main harbor to allow for even large cruise ships.  Did I hear that right?  Even LARGER cruise ships?

Here's my snap of the Majesty of the Seas, tied up in KW harbor, a regular visitor.  And below it leaving port so you can see it's massive size.  

What is there small about our current cruise liner visitors? - why would we want it any bigger? 

Ok, rant over - I hope sense prevails in the decision making process - and paying $5m to make an assessment of whether to widen the channel.... don't get me started!...

On the getting worse vs getting better matter, I was sad to see some business close since I was last here.  I'll post the images in the next few days, below...

[closed KW business - images coming soon]

Key West pictures of the day - 20 September 2011

Two pictures of the day today, I know, I'm cheating.

This one is an amazing tree, I think on Elizabeth.  These strange yellow shaving brush flowers are cool.

I only just caught the second, and with a long zoom.  We had some mighty downpours today and this guy, at 1pm, was having fun in the rain - maybe he'd had a few drinks too!  That's the magic of Key West in September!

Southard Street - most beautiful, prettiest street in Key West

Southard Street is the most beautiful, prettiest street in all Key West.  Don't miss walking it while you are in Key West.

According to who?  Well, me! Here are my runner up most beautiful streets in Key West.

If you don't believe me about Southard Street, here's the proof....Enjoy!

These are all my own photographs taken this trip (September 2011).  They are in rough order as you walk up Southard Street from Duval heading north east up the street to White Street.

Not a good start to Southard Street, at the intersection with Duval, I admit.  Not very beautiful at all!

'The Cafe, A mostly vegetarian place', one of 4 major (and good) restaurants on Southard Street.

The side, Southard Street, view of Sarabeth's building which dates from 1800.

Maybe the best mansion in all Key West? - I love this impressive house.

A close up view of the Captain's walk.

Some funky vegetation on Southard Street.

A view up Southard Street, looking north towards White Street, taken roughly from the intersection with Love Lane.

Fab car, fab house.

This is 730 Southard Street.  I love this clapped out, worn down old house.  Has the  most potential of any house in Key West for improvement now it's finally been sold.

It was sold in Dec 2010.  Was on the market for $3m.  Looking forward to the changes they will make in renovation.

Colors of a mini royal poinciana tree on Southard.  The color in the afternoon sun was amazing.

Another notable Southard restaurant - Mangia Mangia.

The joker in the Southard pack.  A Romanesque villa right in the middle of Southard Street!

Even the smaller houses are cute.

A surprise at the very end of Southard, on White Street, the Key West armory  - a very striking building to end.

So, that's my view, if you disagree feel free to leave a comment.