Key West Kaleidoscope

The Strand opened in the mid-1920s and became the home of the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium in 1993.

The theater was sold in December 2001 and closed in April 2002. It has since become the another branch of the Walgreens pharmacy empire.

Many of the historic elements of the theater will be saved, however, including its facade, marquee, various aspects of the interior, the lobby tile, marble stairs, and wood floors.

This is a great 'train ride' through time.

They'll take you back to the days before civilization when fierce Indians left their enemy's bones to bleach in a tropical wilderness naming the island Bone Key.

Explore a lush, tropical island, and discover the charm and grace of one of America's most unique architectural pleasures.

Get to know characters like John James Audubon, Ernest Hemingway, and Harry S. Truman and, like them, become captivated by the magic that is Key West.

You'll even stop at the ice cream shop for a single scoop cone or a refreshing lemonade to cool you off!

Read more about this here

Duval Street is a famous downtown commercial zoned street in Key West, Florida, running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Duval Street is the location of many famous restaurants and bars, including Sloppy Joe's, The Bull and Whistle, Rick's Cafe and Irish Kevins bar. It is named for William Pope Duval, the first territorial governor of Florida.

At night, Duval is a carnival that lasts until dawn and beyond.

At the north end, tourists from the cruise who dock at the Hilton harbor complex are often seen traversing Duval Street's many shops in the afternoon looking for souvenir trinkets and T-shirts.

At the south end of Duval Street is the Southernmost House, a striking old yellow Victorian architecture mansion bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, South Street and Duval Street.

What is a conch house?

Early settlers of the Bahamas and Florida Keys built their homes of a morter made from sand, water, and lime. The settlers obtained their lime by burning conch shells. Having no building stones or bricks, but an abundance of conch shells the settlers often utilized the shell itself in constructing their houses. Thus the term "conch" house had its beginning. Later, wooden homes built by settlers and ship's carpenters utilizing a blend of architectural styles took on the name of conch houses.

Read more about Conch Houses here

Direction signs in the old harbor of Key West are showing you the way to any destinations that you can think about.

How We Met

A touching tale of how two lovers found their heart! Aaw.
http://www.zoomintosee.com
The music is by Son of Dave.
A stickman and stickwoman drawn on bodies falling in love.

China Like You've Never Seen It Before

Chinese artist / Photographer Dr. Feng Jiang took these amazing photos around China which for me at least really change the way you percieve the country - beyond the communism, the censorship and the alien practices, lies an amazingly beautiful and incredible country.

The Southernmost Point in the US

Southernmost Point in the US

Key West, Florida

As the winter chill sets records in much of the country, those in the know huddle around the pot-bellied stove-like monument marking the Southernmost Point in the United States.

The marker, actually built to resemble a buoy, stands at furthest south tip of Key West. The monument notes that Cuba is only 90 miles away, and just to its right, a plaque commemorates the brave Cubans who have drowned trying to get to America, "The Leader In Democracy." In the blocks around the Monument are numerous other "Southernmosts" — hotel, house, restaurant, etc.

On the top of the monument is painted the logo of The Conch Republic. Twenty years ago, Key West, seeking to enhance its reputation as a free-wheeling, fun-loving, party without consequence kind of town, seceded from the United States, declaring itself The Conch Republic. Every April, a ten-day party celebrates the event. But if that's the case, then the Southernmost Point in The US is actually one key up, in Boca Chica.

More to read about here

Sunset Sailors - Song from the Ship

Sunset Sails

Song from the Ship - Thomas Lovell Beddoes

To sea, to sea! The calm is o'er;
The wanton water leaps in sport,
And rattles down the pebbly shore;
The dolphin wheels, the sea-cows snort,
And unseen Mermaids' pearly song
Comes bubbling up, the weeds among.
Fling broad the sail, dip deep the oar:

To sea, to sea! the calm is o'er.
To sea, to sea! our wide-winged bark
Shall billowy cleave its sunny way,
And with its shadow, fleet and dark,
Break the caved Tritons' azure day,
Like mighty eagle soaring light
O'er antelopes on Alpine height.
The anchor heaves, the ship swings free,
The sails swell full. To sea, to sea!


More sea poems to read here

Sexy Long Tongue

Chinese Fake Brands

Fake Cool Iphone From China.