Last Day in Key West

We took a mooring in Boot Key harbor for the nights of April 4 through 6.  On April 6, Frank and Carol drove us to Boca Chica to get our car.  We proceeded to Key West for one last day of sight-seeing and fun.  Frank and Carol toured the Hemingway House and met us later for Happy Hour.

We went to the Audubon House which contained an extensive collection of Audubon prints featuring the birds he found and studied in Florida.  The house itself belonged to Captain John Huling Geiger, a wealthy Key West wrecker captain/businessman and was restored to look much like it did in the period prior to the Civil War.

Found at the Green Parrot (Not an Audubon specimen)

John James Audubon never was actually in the house as it was built many years after his visit to Key West.  However, local lore linked Audubon to the house because he mentions having discovered a species of tree on Captain Geiger's property which he had not seen elsewhere. Audubon may have stayed in the house which stood on the lot prior to the one which is there today.  He certainly could not have visited the current house since it had not yet been built. A hurricane destroyed the house which existed on the lot during the time Audubon was in Key West.  This house was also owned by Captain Geiger.  Regardless, for over century, the house that stands today has been referred to as the Audubon house.  The following links provide additional information on the house and its contents.

http://audubonhouse.com/the-artist/

We next went to Fort Zachery Taylor State Park to explore the old fort the construction of which was begun in 1842 and was used as a fortification until the end of World War II.  There is a nice picnic area and beach adjacent to the fort.  We did not take advantage of the Key West beaches.  We were too busy doing other things and never got around to lounging on the beach.



We all got together at the end of the day for Happy Hour at the Green Parrot.  The cruise ships left port and you could actually get a seat at the bar.  The Green Parrot is a favorite of ours but we only go when its not standing room only.  The place is highly touted.  It has been serving liquor since 1890 under various owners and names.  There is usually a band playing for happy hour and most evenings.

Happy Hour at the Green Parrot

We went to Sloppy Joe's for dinner.  Dwayne and Carla shared a sloppy joe sandwich and lump crab sandwich along with french fries.  Local beer washed it all down.  The band was OK but not great. It was back to Marathon/Boot Key after dinner and time for a shower before dinghying back to the boat for a good nights rest prior to our early morning departure for Rodriguez Key.