U.S. Tropical Oasis

Think tropical. Think history. Think the United States. Where are we?? Key West, Florida. Key West is filled with a lavish setting, but is filled with fascinating history and culture. The area is one of my favorite places to go. This entry will be about the history and fascinating facts about Key West. The next entry will included things to do, places to see, where to shop and where to eat.

Key West is located within the Florida Keys area consisting of about 1700 islands in southeast. They begin about 15 miles south of Miami and end at Key West. The westernmost Keys are inhabited islands and the Dry Tortugas. The islands lie along the Florida Straits, dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The Keys consist of primarily of 5 major areas: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West.

In the Pre-Columbian times Key West was occupied by the Calusa people. Juan Ponce de Leon was the first European to visit in 1521. As Florida became a Spanish colony, a fishing and salvage village was establish on the land. Now many Key West residents are immigrants from the Bahamas, known as Conchs (‘conks’). In the 20^thKey West. century residents of the area started to refer to themselves as “conchs,” now the term is generally applied to all residents in If a person was born and raised in Key West they would be a “Conch.” If a resident resides in Key West but was not born there, they would be “Freshwater Conch.”

Key West is also the Southernmost Point in the Continental US. Because of that, it is in fact closer to Cuba than it is to Miami. Because Cuba is only 90 miles away, there is a strong Cuban influence around the area. One of the biggest attractions is the concrete replica of a buoy.

Fact: Many writers and artists have lived in Key West, including Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. Hemingway’s house has now become a very popular tourist attraction.

Fact: Multiple U.S. presidents have called Key West their vacation spot. Harry Truman visited for 175 days during his presidency. The Harry S. Truman Little White House was his winter White House for the President.

Fact: Key West has also been an important military post. The Navy added a small base in Key West, where the Navy trains its pilots.

Fact: Sponging was also part of the Key West economy because many of the surrounding waters help sponge beds.

Fact: Key West is one of the most popular cruise ports. Many cruise lines make Key West part of their itinerary for the history, sun, and experience. I have been one two cruises, both of which stopped in Key West!

For more information regarding Key West’s history, please visit: http://www.floridakeys.com/keywest/key-west-history.htm or http://www.keyshistory.org/keywest.html .

a quaint little town...

While visiting my dear friend Ashleigh in Chicago, she decided to take me on a mini-road trip. We ended up in the northwestern most part of Illinois to a small, quaint town, Galena, Illinois. Only about a twenty-five minute drive from Dubuque, Iowa.

Galena is a popular tourist destination for its history, landscape, architecture, outdoor activities, and the home of former President Ulysses S. Grant. The town was originally inhabited by Native Americans, but by the late 17th century, French people began to settle in the area, followed by American settlers in the 19th century. About 85% of the original structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The main hub of downtown Galena is Main Street.

Main Street is home to specialty shops, antiques, restaurants, and history. Main Street embraces a simpler time, before technology and careers got in the way. One of the unique features of Main Street is that the original cobblestone roads are blocked off to preserve the historic feeling.



While on Main Street check out Poopsies. The store carries great gifts for all ages, humorous and practical! The Galena Garlic and Spice store stocks gourmet spice blends, sea salts, olive oils and garlic. It is worth a smell. When you are hungry for a bite to eat check out One Eleven Main.



At One Eleven Main, they use locally grown produce and even locally raised meat. I definitely recommend getting a lunch entrée. Smaller portions, but you still get the perfect size salad (with a homemade herb citrus balsamic vinaigrette) so you don’t spoil the rest of your lunch. The Ravioli is to die for! Homemade asparagus and asiago filled lemon spinach ravioli with a light creamy parmesan broth. The Linguini with Roasted Vegetables is light and refreshing. You could not go wrong with either choice!

If you still have room after lunch, grab an ice cream treat from the old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor!

Some other things you could do while in Galena is to take a walk across the footbridge to a park with statues that pay homage to President Grant. Take a trip to anyone of the following wineries. Ashleigh has also told me Christmas time is beautiful. Decorations galore with a fresh dusting of snow will put you right in the Christmas spirit!


*For more information about Galena, visit www.visitgalena.org or www.galena.org

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! It will be filled my own personal experiences through my past and present travels throughout the Continental US and beyond. I will offer insider tips, unique perspectives, stories, and much more! This blog is your own personal gateway into travel and adventure! Stay tuned for more to come...

Emily