Key West

 Visiting Key West is always a treat especially getting to see our friends from Okinawa day, Demaris and Kelly.  Since they are there several months each year, we see the "real" KW away from all the tourists and bar scene.  Since we're not really into the pubcrawl thing anyway it's for the best.  We were neighbors the first time we were stationed in Okinawa and went to the same church so a lot in common.

One fun thing we did was visit the Botanical Gardens.  They

are trying very hard to preserve many of the endangered species.

This is a Strangler Fig.  I think you can see where it gets the name.

This is a unique cactus that winds it way around plants, paths 

and rocks.  Those needles are sharp and abundant.  It is

not something I'd want to run into unawares!

Life is always trying hang on.  This huge tree was downed

in a storm but branches and new growth are coming from

it's roots and trunk.

This chair just called to be sat in..

and have pictures taken.

More barbwire cactus.

The church where our friends are parishioners is a basilica

Our Lady Star of the Sea.  It is so beautiful and full of art work.

This is the main area.

The weather is usually lovely so the side doors are 

open to let in the breezes.  This is Demaris waiting

patiently while I take pictures after daily Mass.

One side of the interior.

And the other.  I could spend hours just looking.

Sunset at Mallory Square.

Not too many buskers but still worth a visit.

This is a working bike that is ridden in local parades. 

It looks like a caterpillar going down the street.  The

face is made from a Weber grill.

Someone spent a lot of time creating this fence.

Each still is different.