key west - The Key Wester

Key West Cuisine 101

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:September 14, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Key West has an eclectic hodgepodge of restaurants for locals and visitors to choose from. You will find everything from Jamaican, French, Cuban, American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican and of course local Key West style fare. What exactly is Key West fare you ask. Well, if you consider the location and heritage of the island, you will find a great deal of influence from the Caribbean islands as well as an abundance of local seafood items in several of these recipes, although plenty of recipes will make the landlubbers happy too. Cubans and Bahamians introduced items such as black beans, rice, marinated pork, plantains, conch, and flan to Key West. Today you can find these items served as they originated or in a style locals have coined as Conch-fusion.

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Key West SLAM

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:September 9, 2011
Post category:Fishing

So it is fall and the temperatures have dropped, if only very slightly, and the flats fishing game is on full speed. Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit all around. Even with good numbers of fish around this time of year, these are some of the most challenging fish to catch. It is almost like a hunting trip, stalking the fish silently as your guide poles you down the flat.

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Mel Fisher, Key West Treasure Hunter

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:September 2, 2011
Post category:History

Mel Fisher was arguably the most famous treasure hunter in modern times. Probably because in 1985 he discovered the Atocha, a Spanish galleon that sank off of the Florida Keys in a hurricane in 1622. With over $450 million in treasures found so far from the wreck, including 40 tons of gold and silver, Pieces of Eight, emeralds, artifacts, and over 1000 bars of silver, Mel and his crew were known by everyone in our little island community.

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What to Pack for a Key West Vacation

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:September 1, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

So you are visiting our fair island of Key West and you don’t know what to pack? I will make this very easy for you. Key West is a very casual place. Even the fanciest restaurants do not require you to dress up and more than country club casual. Here are some things not to forget. If possible, don’t bring more than a carry on; it is all you should need!

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Hurricane Season

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 31, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

So hurricane season started on June first, but we are now getting into the busiest part of the season. Thus far we have been lucky, with little storm activity and recently dodging Irene. After our past experiences with Georges, Wilma, Katrina, etc, we sincerely feel for the Northeast and the havoc that Irene created there. Chances are the season will remain slow and no evacuations will be called. But in case a storm does come our way and the Keys are in the “cone” there are a few things to keep in mind for those vacationing here.

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Road Rules for Bicyclists

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 24, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Living and working on a small island, you can imagine that man people like to get around via bikes. It is a great method of travel,with benefits for both the body and the environment. But it seems to me that lots of people believe that just because they are on a bike they don’t have to follow the rules of the road, and it frankly gets pretty upsetting at times. What I think people do not realize is that in Florida a bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle.

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Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 23, 2011
Post category:Activities

When the Eco Discovery Center opened down here, I was skeptical. But my husband and I one day finally decided to check it out. Unfortunately, thinking it would have to be lame, we did no allot ourselves enough time to visit this place, which turned out to be awesome and super informative about the Florida Keys eco-system.

We had enough time to run through the different exhibits very quickly and we also got to see the 20 minute movie, “Reflections of the Florida Keys”, starring local dive celebrity Megan Haney Greer. If you have just a little bit of time here, I highly recommend viewing this film as one of the things you check out. The footage was amazing and the story was very interesting while still imparting lots of information to the viewers. Plus, the theater is HD with surround sound. (If you don’t have time to see the film you can purchase it in the gift shop.)

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Key West's Higg's Beach Dog Park

Key West Parks

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 22, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Looking for a place to hang out, play tennis, bike, or do one of the many other activities that a park can allow? Here is a list of the parks…

Cigars and Key West

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 17, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Cuban cigars have long been considered among the best in the world. In the late 1800’s, as war gripped Cuba, many Cuban cigar makers fled to Key West, bringing the cigar industry to the United States. For a time Key West was the cigar capital of the world. By the early 1900’s, however, labor strikes, fires, hurricanes, and the depression ended the island’s domination of the cigar industry. The tradition, although now diminished from what it once was, still remains. There are a number of Cigar shops and cigar makers that can still be found in Key West. The cigar rolling tradition has been handed down for generations and will remain a part of Key West for a long time to come.

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Key West Brewfest

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 15, 2011
Post category:Uncategorized

Last year was the first ever Brewfest held by the Key West Sunshine Rotary of the Conch Republic, and it was such a success that they have decided to do it again this year! It will be held Labor Day weekend, from September 1-5. All proceeds will support the Rotary and their charitable works. If you enjoy a cold one, what better way to show your community support? Attend this years Second Annual! For ticket information please call 1-800-354-4455. Here is the schedule of events:

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The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 9, 2011
Post category:Activities History

Great White Heron Key West, Florida — Great White Heron on a mangrove island in Key West, Florida

Established in 1938, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge is located in the lower Florida Keys and Key West and is comprised of about 200,000 acres of open water and islands which provides nesting, feeding, and resting areas for over 250 species of birds. The refuge was originally created to protect the great white heron, which are only found in the Florida Keys, from extinction. This area has also become an area where loggerhead and green turtles come to nest and feed.

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Key West and the Arts

Post author:Island Genn
Post published:August 8, 2011
Post category:Activities

Outside of the Custom House, Key West, Florida

Key West has practically always been a haven of sorts for artists and aspiring artist of all kinds. The island has a rich and diverse history in the arts. Key West has many art galleries, theaters, museums, festivals, dances, music,concerts, literary events, and more! Here are some regular events that you can feel free to take a part in during your visit to Key West!

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