Hemingway Cat
Florida History
Ponce Preserve
Take a short stroll through scenic Ponce Preserve in Ponce Inlet to view this majestic 350-year-old live oak tree, which sits at the foot of the Green Mound State Archaeological Site, an ancient Native American midden. Don’t miss it!
What I’m Reading …
“There is a special place, at the end of nowhere, but on the way to everywhere …”
Fort Christmas
On my way back from Orlando Wetlands Park yesterday, I enjoyed the opportunity of exploring Fort Christmas Historical Park. The highlight of the park is a replica of a fort built in 1837 during the Second Seminole Indian War. It’s full of some great informative exhibits. The premises also include a traditional Florida “cracker” house and some other historic structures that I didn’t have time to check out during this visit. Don’t miss it!
Yellow Caboose
An iconic bright yellow Caboose lies in front of the Heritage Museum in downtown Winter Garden. Very cool! Someday I’ll make it inside that museum. Looks interesting!
What I’m Reading …
“Beginning in the summer of 1935, Arthur Rothstein, a twenty year old photojournalist, was sent on dozens of photography assignments by the federal government’s Resettlement Administration … The appointment allowed him to travel to the Florida Keys in 1938 to document the effects of the Depression. Rothstein’s remarkable and humbling photographs of spongers, cigar makers, barbers, fishermen, residents and architecture demonstrated the frailty and the resilience of communities along the island chain.”
Sloppy Joe’s Bar
After recently watching the superb PBS documentary of Ernest Hemingway by Ken Burns, I knew I had to visit Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West just to once again check out all the cool stuff on the walls!
Key West Cemetery Revisited
We took a bike ride through the Key West Cemetery looking for unique gravestones and iguanas. As you can see, we weren’t disappointed!
West Martello Tower
Billed as “a tropical garden paradise,” the Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower is on the site of a former Civil War fort and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a good place to escape the bustling crowds of Duval Street for a bit and enjoy the beautiful gardens.
Custom House
We have always walked by the Custom House in Key West and I always thought it looked like a cool building, but we never got around to actually going inside until this past visit. It’s definitely worth the effort! The Custom House is home to the Key West Museum of Art & History, which contains a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits and artifacts that include Ernest Hemingway, Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway, the USS Maine, the great folk art of Mario Sanchez and much more. Don’t miss it!
Wandering Florida 