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Key West Attractions – Pirate Soul Author: Lauren Sep 16

Ahoy there, matey!

Get’cher grog and peg-leg it down to Key West ‘cause they’re touting one of the biggest and baddest collections of “booty” there is.

Blackbeard’s personal booty is included in the collection at Pirate Soul, a close as it gets pirate museum and shoppe. 300 years are canvassed with numerous authentic artifacts from some of the most well-known swashbuckling action heroes. Or villains, depending on your stance on the subject.

Inclusive of items from the North Carolina Maritime Museum and Delaware Art Museum, museum-quality artifacts line the halls in a high-tech interactive adventure. The collection even includes Captain Kidd’s original journal from his last voyage, the only authentic pirate treasure chest in America originally owned by Captain Thomas Tew and most famously, Blackbeard’s original blunderbuss.

The exhibits in the museum encompass artifacts such as weapons, treasure, items from pirate life, navigation, writing and proclamations, and visual arts. Altogether, eight authentic environments are comprised of 48 different exhibit areas following the course of the Golden Age of Piracy.

The areas include: Port Royal Jamaica, Rogue’s Tavern, Execution Dock, On Deck of a Ship, Below Deck of a Ship, Captain’s Cabin, Blackbeard’s Demise and the Treasure Cave.

Smell, hear and see what the swashbucklers from a time of lore have – no run of the mill Hook recreation will do. For a steal of a deal for admission, adults pay $13.50 and Children only (10 and under) $7.00. Prices mentioned were quoted from Web site.

Scurvy dogs not fit for fairy tales are what you’ll find here so get your “booty” down to Key West!

Located at:
524 Front Street
Key West, Florida 33040

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Key West Things To Do – White Knuckle Thrill Boat Ride Author: Lauren Sep 01

Ever wondered what those flash-flyin’ speedboats feel like taking turns?

Forget about a leisurely pontoon boat – I’m signing up for my White Knuckle Thrill Boat Ride.

In Key West, they’ve got some seriously cool, and crazy, stuff.

This ride gives an entirely new dimension to water sports and boating. Forget your fishing trips and trolling, I’ll take a 360 degree turn on a dime any day. The trick boat used for the thrills is specifically designed to cut tight turns, slide sideways, spin, twist and more.

Not only are the thrills numerous, so are the goodies you get with your admission. Promising to be hilarious, photos will be shot of your experience and provided along with free beers and sodas.

Exhilaration and a cold brew or coke? Come on.

Aptly named for its adventurous endeavors, admission is a meager price to pay for an experience you won’t get anywhere else. I’d rather trust myself to professionals than try and turn a speedboat on a pin alone.

Don’t worry about trying to find the fun on the water – they’ve got a shuttle that can pick you up, if need be.

They operate year round, given the weather and water conditions permit them to do so. Tickets are available by phone or by booth for $59 per person. Senior and group rates are also available.

For more information, call (305) 797-0459.

White Knuckle Thrill Boat Ride is located at:
5555 College Road
Key West, Florida 33040

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South Florida Events – Hemingway Days Author: Lauren Jul 09

“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.”
- Ernest Hemingway

Would you ever expect to have wild and wacky in the same sentence, or place, as writers? Okay, maybe some would – and here’s one of the reasons why.

July 21 marks Ernest Hemingway’s 110th birthday – a big deal to his fanatical following. In order to celebrate the author’s birthday, Key West will be hosting their 29th annual Hemingway Days.

The series of events will span 5 days, from July 21, 2009 – July 26, 2009. The legend in American writers lived and wrote in Key West during the 1930s and the hosted competitions and features vary as greatly as the writer’s works.

For a detailed list of dates and events click here.

To be brief, I’ll enlighten you on a few of the things stirring up in South Florida during this extended Hemingway holiday. The serious will be in attendance, too, however.

Aspiring writers, fans, and even Ernest look-alikes will flock to be part of the literary lord’s extravaganza. That’s right, over 100 stocky, short, white-bearded author buffs will descend on Key West to take their shot at the title of “Papa” during the Sloppy Joe Hemingway Look-Alike Contest lasting three nights.

Also held will be a wacky, staged spoof of “Running of the Bulls”, book signings and a single man stage play about Hemingway’s life and inspirations. Besides the bearded man competition, other competitions will include a three-day marlin tournament in honor of Hemingway’s “deep-sea”ted love for the sport fish. Anglers will compete and fish for marlin, tuna, dolphin fish and $250,000 worth of cash prizes. After three days of fishing for success, the competition will close with an awards ceremony and an island-style pig roast.

The two highlights of the touted celebration will be the museum exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia, and the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. This internationally recognized competition offers a $2,000 grand prize to participating and on-the-rise short fiction writers. Lorian Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway’s granddaughter, will announce the winner at an awards gala to be held at Casa Antigua where Hemingway first visited Key West.

While you’re away, or here to stay, check out the timeless tribute to a gifted writer all while strolling the beach and basking in literary genius, and a setting sun.

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
- Ernest Hemingway

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Key West Attractions – Dry Tortugas National Park Author: Lauren Jun 24

Now that summer’s in full swing, most of the kids (elementary and college) are out of school and screamin’ their celebration. While we’re baking here in our hometown, we’re hoping you’ll get a chance to sneak away from reality, if only briefly!

dry tortugas national parkIf the kids are coming along on one of the many steal-of-a-deals to Key West this summer, and even if they’re not, who doesn’t love a little bit of pirate lore and stories of sunken treasure? Grab the grog and get your “booty” down to Key West’s Dry Tortugas National Park.

Think history and harrowing tales all tied together.

Ponce de Leon discovered the Dry Tortugas in 1513, named for the lack of surface fresh water on the seven islands that comprise this national park. However, it was known to de Leon simply as the Tortugas, deriving its namesake for the abundant 160 sea turtles (Tortugas) caught during his discovery.

The islands were both favored for its prime position in the Florida Straits and feared for its shipwrecking reefs and shoals. This proved a militaristic advantage in the early 1800s, the massive coastal Fort Jefferson was begun in 1846 by order of Franklin Roosevelt, only to be left unfinished. Even incomplete, the fort still maintains its title in the Western Hemisphere as the largest masonry structure, comprised of 16 million bricks.

The vast amount of native wildlife that call the islands isn’t the only inviting characteristic of this now National Park, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and a National Park in 1992. Known for its vibrant coral reefs, plentiful sea life, and legends of shipwrecks and treasure, the islands and fort are accessible only by chartered seaplane or boat.

Ferries leaving from Key West can cart you over to dally in de Leon’s stomping ground for snorkeling, camping, a picnic, scuba diving, saltwater fishing, guided wildlife watching and birdwatching. Something around 80,000 Sooty terns stop through from between February and September for their nesting season on the island – that’s as many as annual visitors to the National Park!

To learn more about activities in the Dry Tortugas National Park, please visit their Web site or call (305) 242-7711.

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