The Wandering Disciple

Tucked away on the streets of historic Key West sits the birthplace of an icon of the aviation industry. In 1927, the first tickets of Pan American Airways was sold from this cottage in Key West. What started as a small scheduled service mail and passenger carrier would later become one of the biggest airlines in the United States until its dissolution in 1991.  The building is preserved by the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is home of the First Flight Island Restaurant and Brewing Company, a popular spot on the island oasis.  Taken: April 20, 2010 (Key West FL)

The Majesty of the Seas sits at the docks of Key West. The southernmost point of the continental US, Key West was out first port of call during our 2010 Bahamas Cruise on Royal Caribbean.  The Majesty of the Seas was a member of Royal Caribbean's Sovereign-class of ships. Introduced to the fleet in 1992, the Majesty features two swimming pools, a casino, multiple bars and restaurants and the capacity of 2,768 passengers. The ship received a complete refurbishment in 2007. In 2020, Royal Caribbean sold the ship to Greek ferry operator Seajets.  Taken: April 20, 2010 (Key West, FL)

Key West, Florida: It’s spring break time in Florida and time for a trip. Due to work schedules and doctor appointments, we did not take a traditional trip. However we opted for a day trip and we chose a day trip to Miami and stops at Zoo Miami, Miami History and the Wings over Miami. However when we were about to get off the Florida Turnpike for the zoo, there was a destination sign for Key West. We looked at each other and said you know we have always wanted to do the drive to Key West and the Overseas Highway so we changed the plans and headed south.  We visited Key West a few years ago on a cruise, but in 25 years of living in Florida, I have never made the drive. I have seen it so many times in magazines and road trip articles but just never got around to taking the drive. Today was going to be the day! The Overseas Highway or US-1 connects the mainland of Florida with the Florida Keys ending at Mile Marker 0 in Key West. The 113-mile journey passes through towns like K...

You've reached the end of the rainbow, well not really but it is the end of  US-1.  US-1 begins at the US-Canada border in Fort Kent, Maine and stretching 2,369 miles southward to Key West, Florida.  It is the longest north-south route in the United States and passes through some of the largest cities on the east coast including Miami, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.  (Photo: April 20, 2010)

At the southernmost point of Key West, visitors to the monument are a mere 90 miles from the  island of Cuba.  Thousands of visitors flock to this iconic spot to have their picture taken in the southernmost point of the United States. From here, you are closer to the communist island than the United States mainland. (Photo: April 20, 2010)

The waters of Key West are filled with vessels but none are more stunning then the schooners. Pictured here is the Schooner Appledore II as it passes by the port. (Photo: April 20, 2010)

The sun shines of the facade of the Old Customs House at Key West.  Built in 1891, the four story building served as the islands customs office, post office and courthouse.  In 1932, the building was transferred to the US Navy and became the headquarters of the naval operations for the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.  The building was eventually sold to the state and turned into a museum.  (Photo: April 20, 2010)

A popular attraction in Key West, the Conch Train takes riders on a two hour tour of the Southernmost City. (Photo: April 20, 2010)

Hop aboard the Conch Train and take a trip around the Southernmost Point of the continental United States. A popular island attraction, the Conch Train embarks daily for a narrated 90 minute tour of the island of Key West. The tour begins at the Front Street Station in Mallory Square and takes you past all of the popular sights of the Keys West. You can view some of the sights of the island by clicking here . (Photo: April 20, 2010)

At just over 90 miles from Cuba, the island of Key West is the Southernmost Point in the Continental United States. In 1983, the City of Key West built a concrete buoy to mark the most southern public portion of the island. Since then it has become one of the most visited spots in Key West. (Photo: April 20, 2010)

Key West, Florida: The island of Key West began to flourish once Henry Flagler opened the Overseas Railroad, connecting the tropical oasis with mainland Florida. Its only fitting that tourist today tour the island on a modified train. Conch Tour Trains offer riders a ninety minute tour of the island, enriching its passengers with the history and folklore of Key West. The Couch Train took passengers on their first tour in 1958. Since then over fifteen million passengers have taken a ride on the train. Guest board an environmentally friendly trained fueled by propane to take an inside look at the island. The tour focuses on Old Key West. During the ninety minute journey, riders will see the sights and hear the stories that make Key West famous. Embark on the journey from the Front Street Station. From there the tour will wind through the streets of Key West, passing by some of the island’s landmarks including Duval Street, Bayview Park, White Street Pier, Casa Marina, Southernmo...

Key West, Florida: The southernmost point of the continental United States, Key West has one of the most colorful histories of the south. The laid back island of today was once the site of a nation succession and a prominent military occupation through many of the major wars. The five and a quarter square mile island of Key West was originally inhabited by Calusa Indians. They lived here until Spanish occupation in the early 1500’s. Juan Ponce de Leon was the first settler to land in Key West in 1521. The Spanish established the settlement of Cayo Hueso which translated to Bone Island for the numerous Calusa Indian bones found on the island. The Spanish established a fishing village on the island The Spanish controlled the island until 1761 when Great Britain took over. The Spanish settlers and remaining Calusa tribe were relocated to Cuba. Great Britain remained in control of the island for twenty years before being transferred back to the Spanish. The island was eventually t...

Key West, Florida: Today was our first port of the trip, Key West. We were scheduled to be in port from 7-3:30. We woke up early and headed to the Windjammer for breakfast. While in the restaurant enjoying breakfast, we watched the ship pull into the port. What a great location for the restaurant, right in the front of the ship with floor to ceiling windows so you can enjoy the view. Following breakfast, we were one of the fist people off the ship. As always, I researched the stop before we left and I downloaded a walking tour of Old Key West. The Pelican Path Walking Tour is a tour of the historic structures located in old town. It has fifty structures on the path that encompasses the oldest part of the city. In addition to these sites, I added a few of the major ones as well including the Southernmost Point, Hemmingway House and Lighthouse. Wow, what a walk, felt like we walked 15 miles by the time we were done. Aching feet and all, we decided to hop aboard the Conch Train ...