Florida Keys/Places You Happen Upon and Fall in Love With

Have you ever traveled to a place just to see what it is like and fallen in love with it? It happens every so often and takes you totally by surprise. As I write this, I think of Paris, Seville, Lamu, Albuquerque, Boothbay Harbor, Sheboygan, and now the Florida Keys. There is a different reason that I have this strong feeling for each of the places that I have named. I don't really think that other than the gestalt of a place that the reason for this attraction can be clarified and, to be honest, it doesn't really matter. The feeling is there regardless.

The photos I've included in this post are aspects of the Keys that I have enjoyed. The laid back atmosphere of Key West as found in Margarittaville with the Young Rebel Goombas playing their 1970's riffs. The natural beauty found on the docks and beaches of the Keys. Conch chowder and other savory food waiting to be experienced. The people who live there and the people who return year after year for however long they can. The whole experience is much, much greater than the sum of its parts. And, yes, I have seen evidence that even paradise isn't perfect. The force of the hurricanes and the poverty in the trailer parks where service workers live speak for themselves. Still, it can be a good place and can be made even better.

My Florida travels are not over until the end of the month. We have, however, left the Keys and are heading back towards central Florida to the Tampa Bay area. While Tampa Bay is enjoyable, it stands in the shadows of the Keys. We will return to the Keys sometime in the future and continue to enjoy it. I will share other photos at a later time. It's been a bit of a long day, but I wanted to share some of this with you.

Thank you for visiting, feel free to stop by again. In the meantime, may your own travels be interesting and enjoyable. Remember-dare to go beyond your present horizon, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Kerry