| Would you die for a romantic getaway where your | | | | I stayed at a B&B owned by a young descendent of |
| boss can't find you? Less than two hours south from | | | | architect John Roebling and engineer Washington |
| Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, or an hour closer | | | | Roebling, renowned builders of the Brooklyn Bridge. As |
| from Miami, is the laid back community of Key Largo. | | | | Innkeeper, she specializes in packages for Weddings, |
| With a reputation for die-hard beer guzzling fishermen | | | | Honeymoons and Anniversaries, with music, flowers, |
| and no frills accommodations, most travelers pass it by | | | | wedding cake, champagne and all the trimmings. |
| on their way to Key West. Don't be fooled by what | | | | Key Largo is not only famous for Bogey and Bacall, |
| you see and don't see from the roadside. | | | | but the spectacular underwater John Pennecamp |
| There are secluded millionaire homes, as well as | | | | Coral Reef State Park. Here you can snorkel and |
| reasonably priced secluded Bed and Breakfasts that | | | | swim with the Dolphins as I did, or just enjoy the natural |
| will welcome you with everything from eclectic air | | | | beauty of this tropical paradise from a glass bottom |
| conditioned private suites to your own private sandy | | | | boat, as I did. |
| cove for watching the awesome sunsets you'll only | | | | If you're looking for nightlife Duval Street, Key West |
| see in the Florida Keys. No I do not work for their | | | | rocks. It's about two hours south on the Overseas |
| Chamber of Commerce. | | | | Highway and it has terrific restaurants from cheap to |
| Hidden behind trees and down winding gravel roads to | | | | expensive. I always warn friends who've never been |
| the sea, if you miss the Mile Markers on the road, you'll | | | | that Key West is noisy, colorful, and crowded all year. |
| pass these hideaways and never know they're there. | | | | But strolling the back streets and side streets of old |
| Some B&Bs will provide full kitchens stocked for | | | | town Key West will transport you back a hundred |
| breakfasts, with Jacuzzis and the use of their boats | | | | years to the seafaring town with the gingerbread |
| and bikes at no extra charge. After a rest stop at the | | | | houses. Tours of The Hemingway House run all day |
| worst possible looking broken down shack (I couldn't | | | | long and cost a lot more than when I first saw it. But if |
| wait), I asked an old geezer sitting at the pitch black | | | | you're looking for the shack Tennessee Williams |
| bar for directions to a decent restaurant. To my | | | | rented, be prepared with a map and good shoes . |
| surprise, and with an irrestibile smile and a light step, the | | | | When you return to sleepy Key Largo you'll probably |
| old fellow politely took my arm and very politely | | | | want to fall into your hammock to watch the |
| directed me to what turned out to be one of the best | | | | awesome red sunset on the water. But don't forget to |
| fresh fish restaurants on the East Coast with the | | | | listen for that whistle on the wind. You know the one |
| unruly name of Hobos. It was my first lesson in | | | | where Bogart says ... "You know how to whistle don't |
| understanding the natives. From fishermen, explorers | | | | you?" Then it's time to retreat inside, kick back and |
| and X-husbands to artists and wannabe writers, you | | | | drink a toast to Humphrey and Lauren and that |
| might be talking to the next Ernest Hemingway. | | | | venerable Brooklyn Bridge. |