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