Friday, October 17

Hey, decided to stay another day at Key West, so relaxing. We toured the Hemingway House. He lived here with wife #2. It was originally built by a sea captain. The captain cut the coral from the ground into blocks and then used the blocks to build the house. It is the only house with a basement and has withstood all the perils that have plagued Key West. Lunch was had at Kelley's, home of the first Pan American operations. After lunch a visit to the little White House of Harry Truman was in order. This was originally the home of the naval commander of the base. When President Truman was in need of rest after the grueling first year of his Presidency, the doctors said Key West was the perfect place. He visited often as did other presidents in later years.

Being Friday, the town was really coming alive. Cruise ship in port, visitors for the weekend made the streets full of people. Friday night was the Boombah, a Jamacaian festival and the start of Phantom Fest. The fest is Key West's version of Madri Gras.