At the end of April last year, we were in Shreveport on our way to visit friends in Mountain Home, Arkansas. As we went to bed that night, I said, "We are awfully close to Key West. It would be a shame if we didn't slip down there for a couple days?"
The next morning, we were headed for Key West. On the way, we made reservations at
Boyd's Key West Campground (no relation -- his first name, our last) -- primarily because it was the "southern most camp ground" in the US. It was a fairly nice park and I would stay there again. The best part is that it was within walking distance of Key West itself. (The campground is, actually, on the island directly north of Key West.)
Once on Key West, we bought a ticket on the train-like tour bus that runs around the island. The cost was $52.20 for the two of us but we were able to get on an off as many times as we liked all day. The company that runs the "train,"
Trusted Tours, also has a number of guided tours but we decided to just explore on our own. (We also used this company in St. Augustine on the way down.)
Okay, having said all that, you need to understand that Key West is a destination designed solely for tourists. There are really no "not-too-touristy" places. On the other hand, it is not like the usual tourist traps -- everything is worth seeing -- including the Hemingway house and Truman's Winter White House.
Our notch on the Brag Stick from this trip is that we have now been to both places that claim to be the "Southern-most tip of the United States" -- in Key West and on the Big Island of Hawaii.
We, too, had been to Key West twice before compliments of a cruise line. This exploration on our own was so much more enjoyable. We were only there for a single day (two nights at the campground) and it should have been extended a couple more.
Now, don't get me started on
Lion Counry Safari where we stayed the first night on the way back to Shreveport.
