Twenty-five years ago, on May 18, 1991, two queens met on a remote island 70 miles west of Key West. Okay, actually there was only one genuine queen present at Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park. But the other was certainly a queen to me, and to the citizens of the Conch Republic (a/k/a the Florida Keys & Key West).
If one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, then the late Key Largo resident Stanley Papio was a treasure hunter extraordinaire. And ultimately, he became a treasure creator — crafting some of the edgiest and most eclectic metal sculptures of his generation.
Family vacations in the Florida Keys mean moms, dads and kids can enjoy adrenaline-fueled fun in the 125-mile island chain that parallels the continental United States’ only living coral reef.
Not unexpectedly, given its exuberant community of artists, Key West is home to a diverse variety of galleries. One of the earliest established — and still flourishing — is Guild Hall Gallery, an artists’ cooperative located at 614 Duval St.
David Kaufelt’s greatest accomplishment, and the one that made perhaps the most lasting impact, was founding the superb and critically acclaimed Key West Literary Seminar. In early February, a national literary landmark was dedicated in his honor on the island he loved.
Particularly when winter has much of the world in its chilly grip, the siren song of the subtropical Florida Keys can be almost impossible to resist. The Keys offer ways to indulge body, mind and tastebuds while recharging your batteries and sparking smiles that just don’t stop.
Most people know the Florida Keys are famous for their fabulous underwater beauty, which includes the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef. But far fewer people are aware that the Keys are among the top destinations in the entire world for year-round bird watching.
Start the New Year with a fantastic food festival in the Florida Keys — rich in creative cuisine, soul-warming subtropical sun and foodie fun. And this January, you’ll find four major culinary events to choose from.
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Keys Smiling holiday revelers savored the breeze. But in other locations, nobody was smiling as they braved freezing temperatures far from the islands.