This Week on the Island 12/30/2007

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The picture this week is the banana tree in our back yard. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland and click PHOTOS and then click DECEMBER FLOWERS for more flowers in December in bloom in Key West.

The Weather: Beautiful.

The book this week was 'True Secrets of Key West Revealed' by Eden Entertainment Limited.

This time of the year is beautiful here. The skies are blue, the temperature is in the high 70's and low 80's during the day with no humidity. The doors and windows are open and the neighbors are all walking the streets talking to everyone. This is the time of year that we drag out the bar-b-que and spend a lot of time outside. The flowers are all in bloom (see above) and there is a sweet smell of flowers in the air.

I bicycled to Fort Zack a few times and walked on the beach and talked some of my friends that I see there all the time. The water around the island is so clear that you can see the bottom out at the reef which is 7 miles from land and about 35 feet deep.

Fort Zack is a Florida State Park and they have a great deal there for people that volunteer to work at state parks. They give you a place to stay and you work 20 hours a week. I think you can only stay for 3 months in one of the cabins or trailers. There is a long list of volunteers waiting to get in.

The down side of this time of the year is someone let the secret out and the town is full of tourist. This week is second only to Fantasy Fest for number of tourist. If I move the car I will not be able to find a parking place when I get back, so I go everywhere on my bike or walk

The sea is calm and the fishing boats are full every day. The catamarans that take people to the reef are full and the boats that take people to Fort Jefferson are also packed. You would have to search to find an empty seat on one of the sunset cruises.

A nice little article about the lower keys: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/travel/escapes/28havens.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

You may join this group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThisWeekontheIsland/