Can't stand the winter another minute so we're heading south to Key West next week. Any tips on the best time of day to take photos of the lighthouse?

Deb (can't wait) W.

What winter? The weather's so nice here in Northern Indiana that I'm heading to New York in 2 weeks to see what real snow looks like.

Have to agree with gravedigger. Not much winter here, the grass is green even though I'm 15 miles from Snowbird ski resort! I was in Key West 2 yrs. ago and the best place to take a picture is inside the grounds of the lighthouse. There is an admission fee but you can climb the tower and there is a nice exhibit in the keepers house. It is hard to get a full picture of the lighthouse unless you go inside since it is surrounded by a wall and tall trees. I think the grounds close around 4:30 (be sure and check the time). The grounds are closed by a gate and you can't get up close at night except from a street view. Have a fun time!

Unfortunately winter in Tidewater Virginia often means ice storms instead of snow, and we've had both in the past 3 weeks. Now the prediction is for sleet and ice again tomorrow, so I'm heading south for a bit of R&R!

Deb,
How did the trip to Key West go? I know you got some pictures of the lighthouses didn't ya?

Rusty

Hi Deb,

I like Rusty would like to know how your trip to Key West went? Let us see some of your photos.
Derith

Key West???? Come to Western New York! We hit a record high Saturday - 73 degrees shattering the old high of 61! See Buffalo, Ft. Niagara and Thirty Mile Point.....(but dress warm - temperatures return to normal this week mid 30's - 40's brrrrrr).

'Heading south? 'How far south? We reached a new record on Friday....83...and its still just February.

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Brent

Key West was fabulous! Warm and sunny every day with great swimming at Bahia Honda State Park. Saw some string rays and a small hammerhead shark, lots of conches and sea stars. The food was good and the margaritas yummy!! Ate Key Lime Pie On A Stick until I couldn't button my shorts!
The Key West Lighthouse was as beautiful as its pictures and I will post mine when I get them back from York Photo Labs. The grounds were nicely landscaped and had the biggest banyan tree I've ever seen. You could climb the light and walk out on the deck and climb up into the lens room. The first order fresnel is on display in the keepers quarters below and you can walk inside the fresnel and appreciate the beauty of all those cut prisms. The cistern the lighthouse staff used to catch rain water was HUGE and we quickly appreciated what life must have been like before the pipeline was built to bring water in from the mainland.
Did all the good touristy stuff - rode the Conch Train, took the pups to Dog Beach for a romp, drank slushies at Fat Tuesdays, ate stone crab claws at Turtle Kraals, visited the aquarium and Southern Most Point, and walked the length and breadth of Duval Street several times. Hemingway's House and the Audobon House were nice tours also. But the very best was the clear, pale aquamarine blue water! And the palm trees! And the sunsets! Oh, just about everything!!! Conclusion: I could live there in the winters - no problem!!!

About the only thing you missed Deb was to take a short sea plane shuttle to nearby Fort Jefferson..but who would have watched the dog while you were gone. Key West is a great trip.

Hey Brent - thought you were headed that way in March or April! Saw your posting in the Map Room earlier. We loved the Keys so much we're going to spend Christmas there! : )

Deb

[This message has been edited by Deb Weissler (edited 03-08-2000).]

Yea Deb....'hopefully, I'm still heading that way in mid or late April....and really looking forward to it. I'm glad that ya'all had such a wonderful time down there. 'Look'in forward to seeing some of those photos when you get a chance!!

Sounds like a great time Deb, definitely on my trip list.
How about some more details? Did you fly into Miami and drive to KW? Where did you stay? Any snorkeling? Did you see any flying trips over the other keys?
Bob

Bob, You can fly right into Key West. Be sure to take the sea plane out to Fort Jefferson to see the lighthouse. If you want snorkeling, be sure to fin your way around the base of the fort. It's a little like a man-made reef to the fishes. Not much coral, but plenty of colorful angelfish, parrotfish and others. I think I need to get back there myself.

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-Art

You guys are making it difficult to work. I need a trip back to the Keys. Glad you had a good time Deb. Can't wait to see your pictures posted here. My only trip to Key West was on a cruise. only had 3 hours. Took the conch train and got a picture of the lighthouse as we passed by. Sure do want to go back a spend a few days!

Snorkling and lighthouse touring, sounds like a great vacation!

Dale

[This message has been edited by DALE LAWRENCE (edited 03-09-2000).]

Bob - Actually we DROVE from Tidewater Virginia to Key West because we also took along our 2 standard poodles. We left after work on a Thursday and drove as far as Florence, SC and spent the night. The 2nd night we stayed in Key Largo and then drove down to Key West on Saturday. Stayed in a great waterfront condo on Garrison Bight. Saw lots of seaplane trips advertised - I'm not crazy about flying so we didn't take one - but I understand the flight out to the Dry Tortugas is terrific! The snorkeling was great although water temp. was only in the low 70's. Can't wait to go back at Xmas!!!!

Deb