June 29th and 30th, Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge

June 29th and 30th, Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge 

Our next stop was the Florida keys.  It was difficult getting a camping spot, but one came available mid way down the Keys at Big Pine Key.  It was a private rv camping spot, and things were not as roomy as a state park, but it got us on the Keys.  We were there two nights which allowed us to see Key West.  The city of Key West was interesting and had a few historic sites to tour.  We visited Ernest Hemingway's home and the Truman Little White House. Both were interesting and informative. We ended our visit to Key West by passing by the southern most point in the continental US.

A view of our trip from Delray to Big Pine Key.

Our spot at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge.  A big change from what we were used to at a state park.  It did however have many extras like a pool, and other recreational diversions.

Downtown Key West at the Ernest Hemingway home.

A visual map of what we visited in Key West.

A view of the outside of Ernest Hemingway's home.  It was originally made from limestone block carved out from the same site.  The excavation made for an excellent cellar.

A display of one of Ernest Hemingway's word processors.

We got a guided tour of the house and it starts off with a biographical photo display of all four of his wives.  

The main bedroom of Hemingway has his king sized bed which some of the 40-50 house cats like to lie on.  Yes the house is host to 40-50 cats.  All of whom have 6 toes on their rear paws.  The cats have there own on call vet.

A close up of the coon cats.  This cat looks similar to one of our old cats Philly.

The cats were  allowed to leave their imprints when this back side walk was poured.

Hemingway did most of his writing in a rear unattached building up on the second floor. The next three photos are views of his man cave.

And yes the cats had their own cemetery in the back yard.  The staff gets to name the cats and picks famous names often.

Walking down one of the main streets, Duval St we saw this interesting porch.

An interesting corner building on Duval St.

An impressive local meeting hall.

An interesting sign on  one of the local drinking establishments.

An outside view of the Truman Little White House. It is in a gated compound with many other  well preserved homes.

The front sun porch has lounge chairs and this impressive poker table.

An end view of the Truman porch lounge.

A head on view of a couch and coffee table with original Life magazines still on it.

Interesting candle holders on the main dining table.

A view of some of the other homes in the Truman gated complex.

We ended our visit of Key West by driving by the southern-most point in the continental US.