This Week on the Island 02/01/2009

'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 (click to enlarge) is ‘The Polar Bear Club.’ This is the 11th dipping for the ‘Southernmost Polar Bear Club’. They used the pool at the Courtyard by Marriott.

The Weather: Beautiful. Sunny days in the mid 70’s and clear nights in the mid 60’s. Then it changed. Friday at 1:00PM it was 79 degrees, at 4:00 PM it was 64 degrees as another cold wave came thru. Saturday morning it was 54 degrees. Time to get out the long pants for the 5th time this winter.

The book this week was ‘Florida Fun Facts’ 1001 questions and answers. I didn’t know that there used to be 2 Florida’s. East Florida was the Florida peninsula, and west Florida was from present day Tallahassee to the Mississippi River.

While doing some work at Fort Zack, a supply of Civil War munitions was discovered. The fort was closed as military personal exploded the munitions.

The city is in another law suit. Seems a guy started a Segway tour and the city closed him down because the Segways were considered unsafe.

Wednesday was another trip to the VA in Miami. Got up at 4:00 AM and got home at 6:00 PM.

Exploring Key West: Key West, many years ago, in order to put more houses in a limited space, cut short streets at ½ block intervals. These alternating streets run between regular streets. If on one block the short street runs horizontal, then on the next block it will run vertical. This makes these short streets not line up so they shouldn’t be used by anyone except the people on that short street. These short streets open 1 block long areas for more housing. The short ½ block street near my house used to be ‘Grunt Bone Alley’. It is now Pecan Lane. Each of these short streets has or used to have interesting names, and each is interesting to explore. The next time you are in Key West, take some time and explore these streets. They are usually quiet and quant.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

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