Key West II

Before leaving Key West last weekend, we visited the Mel Fisher Museum. This museum holds a small portion of the treasure brought up from the wreckage of the Spanish ships Atocha and Margarita. These ships went down in a hurricane off the coast of Florida in 1622. 

I thought all the needlewomen out there might like to see the sewing accessories that were recovered from the sea, hundreds of years after they slipped below it's surface.

I found it amazing that objects this small were found on the ocean floor. Needles, pins...even buttons were recovered.

And what good needlewoman leaves shore without her trusty thimble? Actually, these items were used by men on the voyage. Sewing was a skill men needed to master for long sea voyages.

It is always the everyday items that fascinate me when viewing past cultures. 

Pewter was used every day. 

Of course, the real treasure was the gold...and the precious stones.

Master salts

These chains were used as currency...remove a link for payment and avoid the tax that was levied on bullion. These pieces were impressive.

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We also went on the Conch Train tour with our group. Key West is a small island...Mr. MW runs around the whole island each morning. We've seen all of it before, but it was fun to learn a few new facts while buzzing around on this train.

The houses...the early ones...were built by ship's carpenters in the 1800's. Well built, they have survived many hurricanes. The "gingerbread" on this beauty reflects the maker's connection to the sea...ship wheels and measuring devices.

After a fire in the early 1900's destroyed downtown, laws were passed that required all roofs to be made of metal. The tin roofs add to the charm of these lovely homes.

The gingerbread on this home...gingerbread men! 

One of the most famous homes belonged to Ernest Hemingway. The offspring of his six toed cats roam the island.

The tiny shotgun houses hold the most appeal for me. They are colorful and simple, and are plentiful throughout the island.

I'll leave you with a few favorite shots. The key lime pie store across the street from the hotel. I love the pie, but it's key lime candles that I bring home.

Annie's encounter with one of the two thousand roosters that roam the island. Unfortunately, cock fighting is part of the island's history. Today, these lovely fellows are protected.

Sunset at Mallory Square. All sorts of people and goings on are part of this daily show.

More visitors arriving...

...every day they pull up

right out front.

Late in the afternoon, they turn the ship around and head back out to sea. 

The best part of this trip for me was the view from our balcony.

Early morning

Key West...a place everyone should visit at least once.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn