Key West and Marathon, FL
It was a tough thing to leave Key West. I regret not having more time to spend here. One night was not near enough. The vibe in Key West is perfect for someone writing and thinking. There are all sorts of people from all walks of life. I did so much walking over the past day and a half that my calves are killing me. I guess it might help if I walked in something other than sandals. I met up with Charles this morning and we headed out to explore. Before we left I got out my video camera and shot a little bit of the hostel. I also ran into the Swedish connection before I left.
Charles and I walked and went into a small store of Mel Fisher’s treasures. He’s the guy that found the largest treasure value in history. I was very intrigued when listening to the guy working there. He is part of a team headed by Mel Fisher’s son (he has passed) that still dives every day. He said its tough work, but they get a cut of what they find. The smallest amount they’ve netted is $1 million in a year. There is a lot to pay for, but how sweet of a job would that be. Each day, each dive you could find something from way back when that is worth millions. I could get excited for that.
I could tell he liked what he did, although he said it gets tough sometimes. He was in the store because he needed a day off of the water. He said they were hiring, but I’m not an experienced or certified diver. I could imagine me doing that. Living in Key West, on the water, diving each day looking for treasure. Who knows?
Charles and I found a place for lunch. A seafood buffet. It was in a small place but we checked it out after being beckoned in by a guy sitting on the sidewalk out front. They had a lot of stuff: sushi, conch soup, salad, pork, crab, shrimp and a lot of other stuff. I pigged out. I must be spoiled by buffets. I like them because you can have a little bit of a lot of things. I’m sure the quality isn’t the best, but I like trying a lot of stuff. Maybe that goes back to my fence riding. When I go to Chinese that is not a buffet, it’s hard to try and pick out just one thing.
We ate and I had to say my goodbyes. I was off to Marathon, 45 miles north, to interview Dennis Wardlow, the former Mayor of Key West. He is the father of my brother’s best friend growing up.
I met him at the resort he manages. Earlier that day there was a store for the Conch Republic. They had a video running of the day that Key West succeeded from the Union. He was the ringleader of this and he was a big part of the video. Here I was sitting with him.
He went into detail about the Conch Republic and how it formed. He also talked about Key West and why it means so much to him. He was born and raised there and he had some great stories.
At the resort they had a lighthouse and I asked if it was one that you could go up in. He said it was. I’d tried on 3 other occasions to get up in a lighthouse and I finally had my shot. We made the climb and headed outside. It was incredible. The 360 degree view could not be matched. We had the ocean for about 1/2 and then on the other side was the resort. The house is still active. I can see why my Mom likes these so much. This one was a small one. I can’t wait to see one of the big ones.
As we climbed down he asked if I wanted a beer. I accepted and that went from an hour interview starting at 4 to an all day event that ended at 12:30 with me on the futon of his cottage. I listened to a ton of stories and learned of a lot of characters from Key West. He was a great guy. We went to a bar down the way and ran into a lady that was in Key West in 1982 when the Conch Republic formed. She had some wine in her, but I could tell the memories she had stored from those times. She went on and one about how great it was and how The Mayor should go back into politics and how Key West isn’t the same. I could tell he had done some great things.
We talked about politics and life. Hearing about small town politics makes me a bit mad about our current presidential countdown. It should be I believe in this and will do this for this type of issue. Instead, it’s all polls and spins and no one knows who believes what. I don’t think I’m a D or R. I may be an idealist, whatever that is.
We talked and went to eat and came back. The lady from the day was still going on and on. She was very curious about what angles I was taking with my writing. I don’t think I gave a great answer because she asked numerous times.
I was supposed to go to Fort Lauderdale that night, but he said I could crash there. It was late and we had a couple of pops, so I did. What a great time. I learned a lot from talking with him.
The Conch Republic lives on and has a new follower. Rave On!