365 Things To Do In The Florida Keys

Key West’s Legion Of Helping Hands!

We here at 365 Things To Do In The Florida Keys aren’t bound to covering only Key’s attractions or the World Famous Duval Street. We too like diversity with past blogs answering questions about: “Where can I find free parking & public restrooms?”

Today we tackle Key West’s hardworking legion of troops who in someway help us get back on our way when ‘Murphy’s Law’ tries to slow down your vacation. We start with bike repairs, as you may or may not know, bike rentals in Key West number in the hundred on a daily basis. Believe me, flats and accidents do occur, even with me! I’ve had two flat tires, I guess it was bound to happen after 5 year of peddling our way down small secluded alleyways, hedge brush shortcuts, down dirt and gravel roads, friendly neighborhood streets, across un-mapped back roads, and of course pedestrian laden Duval Street of my hometown Key West, Florida! Seen here is a bike tech that took great care of me who on average takes ONLY 5-6 minutes to change a tire at a cost of $11.83 a few years ago.

Though Jessie pictured here may no longer be there, you can find other willing employees hard at work inside of ‘The Bike Shop’ at the corner of Truman Avenue & Varela Street in bike-friendly Key West!

Memorial Day History, How It Began.

Happy Memorial Day from the entire gang at ‘365 Things To Do In The Florida Keys’… OK, the TWO of us! :-)

This is an Educational EXTRA! :-) Please pay respect to those who’ve giving us our freedom that we as Americans are so proud of.

Here’s how the tradition started: Memorial Day began with families wanting to honor fallen Civil War soldiers. Over the years it’s evolved in observing all American soldiers of all wars. First called Decoration Day — so named because families decorated graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. The idea came from Henry Welles, a druggist in Waterloo, New York. The holiday’s name was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. Nearly a century later in 1971, President Richard Nixon officially declared the day a federal holiday. And now you know the rest of the story! :-)

Capt. Tony Tarracino’s Headstone!

I’ve always said “Expect ANYTHING in Key West!”. Knowing that, I’m rarely surprised by what I see… but this one got me!

This uniquely written headstone gracing the wall of one of Key West’s most famous bars even caught me off-guard. Some things in life need little explanation or clarification, this my friends is one of them. I’ll give you a moment to read it… (this is me waiting)… there, see what I mean! Interpret it as you may, it didn’t say that he was married at the time of his death.

You can find this most unusual cemetery headstone inside of Capt. Tony’s Saloon at 428 Greene Street in the heart of Key West’s famous ‘Old Town’.

A Boat Hotel Anyone? (Boatel)

The Boatel “Stress Relief”

This is on my to-do list for sure! Though I’ve not done this, I have stopped by and walked into one of them docked here.

FLOATING BOATELS!

You can rent your floating boatel for the night, weekend or week here at Mile Marker 103.3 on the left southbound in Key Largo. You will see the sign for this and others like this on billboards at the entrance of highway US-1. This one is aptly named “Stress Relief” and would be a great change of pace from your standard run-of-the-mill hotel or motel. So do yourself a favor and spice up an evening of leisure upon one of these floating home away from homes beginning at $75 a night… go ahead, surprise your loved one with a unique night out waking to the salt air, ocean view hide-a-way for two! I’m sure you’ll be justly rewarded for your generosity! :-)