March 8 Thursday Day 11

My sisters birthday, Happy Birthday Mary!!!

We left early, 7:00 am, for Key West. It is 132 miles and 43 bridges to cross and takes 3 hours for driving. Lots of little towns that spread out lengthwise because of the small island land. Again police all over with radar, as a reminder to slow down. A sign was posted at the beginning of the run to Key West that two people had already been killed on this highway.

We pulled in at the 3 hour mark. We went right downtown to find Aunt Vi’s home. We found it with little trouble. Shirleen recognized the large tree cross from the house and I recognized the two story square house kiddy corner from hers. Her house looked basically the same with more vegetation in front and a house built alongside. What sweet memories it brought back to both of us. We walked to the back from the small alley but when all the dogs started barking we high tailed it to the car. We did notice a large elephant ear plant in the back yard. Now I know why we have one.

Next mission - the church we had gone with her when we were here. We found it very easily and parked in the church lot. We entered the church of St. Mary Star of the Sea , not through the front doors but through the side doors, not like our side door but they have 10 to 12 shutter doors that swing open for air movement. We then went to the rectory and requested a mass be said in her honor, we will receive a copy of the bulletin in April sometime. This incidentally is the same church that Bob Malby’s brother, Chuck and his wife go to daily mass at.

Next to the church is a grotto. Inside it is a rack of candles and we lite one for her as we do in each new church we visit for our deceased parents. The grotto was made by a nun many years ago and dedicated to the prevention of hurricanes striking Key West and for upwards of 75 years none have, close at Marathon but not there.

Outside in the courtyard is a walkway, when we looked at the first of five signs adjacent to the path, we realized it was designed as a rosary.

Next to that garden was another garden with the Stations of the Cross in them. They were mosaic and beautiful in the splendid sunlight.

We the parked our car at the motel we were to stay in the next two days. Went inside and found out the trolley picked up people next door. We find these first day tours of a new city educational and gives us a head start the next day. This was surely the case this time. We were able to get off and on at will but only one full trip.

One of the stops for us was Hemmingway’s house, again something we had done before it was so commercialized. Yes, the six toed cats are still there, all 40 of them. Eat two ton of feed a year. We toured the house with a knockout guide. He gave us the routine stories he continually tells but neat presentation. After looking at the glass chandler in the dining area he said it was from Morono Italy, that we visited last spring. Many pictures of wives, fish caught and visitors. He as you know, was a big man but had many haunts. His bout with dinking was well known and his fight against his mental disease. He had bought this home because it was across the street from the only lighthouse on the island. It was said that way he could find his way home after a night of drinking.

We did see the end of Highway 1 that evening and have a picture of the 0 mile marker.

Again, retracing our previous footsteps we ate at the A & B Lobster House. We gracefully dined with a bottle of wine, and two house specials; Shirleen had hogfish with steamed vegetables and I the rare Ahi tuna with three big shrimp and purple mashed potatoes.