The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-03-04
We Liked Key West
By ESTHER KING

oI1l(C VIC NcLllS 1IIIO IiiAo NAAlllatC
Soon we were on our way
again on the seven-mile bridge
and a very remarkable piece Of
engineering. We saw Pigeon
Key by daylight and were anaaz-
ed at the tiny island with cottages
and evidently a fishing camp
nestled there under the bridge
The water was calm, sometimes
blue and sometimes bottle-green
and always beautiful. The sky
was deep blue with fleecy clouds
racing along, and constant
breeze. We came over miles and
miles of roadway, about 40 in
all, IN some places the old coun-
/ W roads and in some places slick
new roads built over the old rail-
road bed. Sometimes for miles
we could not see the water, and
then for miles we could see moth
ing else, with the road seeming
to run right through it, but it was
all thrilling and beautiful.
Reach Key West
Entering Key West we passed
under a welcome sign and then
onto a drive bordered by palms.
We had no plans whatever ex-
cept that we would stay and try
the fishing, so by just driving on
aimlessly we came to dock
where there were fishing boats
and a sightseeing boat at anchor.
My first impression of that sec
ton of the island was of some
foreign country. The children in
trunks. begging the visitors to
throw a coin into the water so
that they could dive after it, and
a mad scramble when you did.
One little dark-skinned Adonis
seemed to have had very good
luck aa he ran back to the fence
where he had cached his trousers
to put a coin into his wallet.
When a new victim arrived he
would stand around Shivering
and making his teeth chatter, but
when their back was turned the
chill strangely disappeared. There
were native Americans and Span
ish-speaking boys, diving and
selling sponges and conch shells.
We learned later that the native
Key Westers are called Conchs
We met Captain Wade of the
Balmy Days, who described his
sightseeing trip to us, and SO rea-
sonable, too, and found through
further conversation that he had
at one time made his home with
one of our neighbors in New
Hampshire. We also saw the
Warbler that stands by for emer-
gencies, ready. at all times to go
full steam ahead, and several
people fishing from the dock.
First Taste Of Turtle
AS we were about to leave we
met Johnnie with his sightseeing
taxi and knowing that he would
be familiar with the town we
asked his advice about finding a
small apartment or cottage. He
eagerly took us to a couple of
places where he thought we
might find something but I'M
fortunately the places were all
rented. By that time we had
our bearings and were able to go
on alone, so the next question
was lunch. We went to the
Trumbo, where we could look out
across the water and see the big
amphibians swaying back and
forth peacefully. l had my first
taste of turtle steak and was
very much surprised that it tast-
ed like veal outlet instead of like
some kind of fish. The fact that
didn't leave any was proof
enough that it was good. = For
/ dessert we had our first taste of
cocoanut ice-cream and we liked
! it so much that we have had it
/ several times since.
After lunch we started out to
find lodging and went from one
place to another until we finally
parked in front of the Post Office
to attend to some mail, never
thinking that this was lucky
I stop. Across the street we saw
the Coral Hotel, and it looked Sc
clean and new, and the lobby SO
/ inviting that l hoped out of the
car and into the hotel to inveS-
tigate. and l found something
In few minutes / had rented
a darling little efficiency apart
ment, all white and shining and
newly decorated. Broadloon
carpets, Venetian shades and
restful Grapes, white wicker
furniture, dinette and a real
kitchen with gas range and cleo.
trio refrigerator and all the
! equipment necessary for a vaca-
toner. The housekeeper was sc
conscientious, too. looking after al
our needs and darling here ano
there attending to everyone's
wants., and never seeming tc
stop.
So here we are facing the Pos