Key West - A Return Journey to Tropical Places

"Tropical Palm" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Years ago, my husband and I first glimpsed the tropical beauty of the island of Jamaica. We have always loved to travel, so, after that initial journey into the tropics, we could not get enough of the exotic beauty that inspired me to take thousands of slides and photographs. Eventually, I created many large acrylic paintings documenting those trips. I wrote travel articles for magazines and newspapers and even created and published a few novels set in Jamaica, Antigua, and other tropical places.

Lobster Fest on Duval Street ©Mary Montague Sikes

More recently, we returned to Key West, Florida, a destination we first discovered years ago during an automobile trip that covered the entire length of the state, including the Keys. Even though it was already a lingering point for artists and writers, Key West was a lesser-known vacation spot then.

Now, things have changed a lot. On our recent trip there, Duval Street was blocked off for the carnival array of tents dedicated to Lobster Fest. The street looked much like Main Street of our little town of West Point, Virginia when we have our annual Crab Carnival. For me, it was a little sad because I wanted Key West to remain different and undiscovered, full of unique locals and not so many tourists. I'm still looking for a tropical paradise.


Key West is not the same place it once was. I was glad to see that the 2017 hurricane damage there was not so severe. We visited in May of last year before the hurricane struck. We didn't see much that was different except the gigantic Seward Johnson sculpture of the dancing couple was missing from in front of the museum on the waterfront.

Happily, one thing that has not changed over the years is the glorious sunset over the Key West waters. People still gather at Mallory Square and cheer as the sun goes down. We went there twice and waited and were not disappointed. The sun still sets. ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Key West Sunset" ©Mary Montague Sikes

We Can't Control the Weather

Island Club 2016 ©Mary Montague Sikes

A few weeks ago, I thought I had everything figured out--book events and art happenings. We would drive down to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, enjoy the beach and favorite restaurants for a few days, then I would teach two three-day workshops at the Art Academy. It would be fun. I looked forward to expanding my wings with cold wax as well as exploring more mixed media with students. During our time at Hilton Head, I hoped to learn to play pickle ball on the beautiful Island Club tennis courts.

At the end of the week, we planned to get on the road for four hours, heading down to Valdosta, Georgia for a book signing and children's program for An Artful Animal Alphabet. I would get to know my new publisher and visit an Art Center. What could be more perfect?!

Well, as you know, Mother Nature in the form of Hurricane Irma had other plans. Our resort, Island Club, in Hilton Head was closed and the road entering the community, blocked. Although we hoped to get part of our week's vacation, we learned that the resort would remain closed for the rest of the week and some units for this week as well. In addition, the bookstore in Valdosta suffered some water damage, so that signing event was cancelled as well.

Hyatt Windward Point Key West ©Mary Montague Sikes

We are glad we chose Key West over Sedona for a vacation trip in May. Windward Point was beautiful then, and I suspect the lush palm trees and green grass are lush and green no more. And, too, I wonder about the fascinating pieces of sculpture that greet visitors as they land at the airport and later as they stroll the streets, drinks in hand. Could they have survived? I hope, but I doubt. Perhaps with damage.

We make plans. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. We can't control the weather.

Perhaps one day ...

Seward Johnson sculpture Key West ©Mary Montague Sikes

U.S. Route 1, the End and the Beginning

US 1, the Beginning ©Allison Sikes

Within the last two months, we have visited the end of US Route 1, mile 0, in Key West, Florida and the very beginning of it in Fort Kent, Maine where the bridge crosses the St. John River into Canada. There is something special about seeing both ends of an historic passageway north and south in our country. Sometimes, despite its many traffic lights, we use US 1 for an alternate highway as it parallels I-95 in Virginia.

The highway is truly historic with a beginning in the 1920s, nearly 100 years ago. It is the longest north-south highway in the United States. The sign at Fort Kent indicates it has 2446 "original miles". Wikipedia says it runs 2369 miles. Much of it was built along the fall line, and it connects many of the major east coast cites, including Richmond, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, Boston, and Miami.

US 1, the End ©Mary Montague Sikes

The End sign in Key West is far less dramatic than the beginning in Ft. Kent. However, there are other signs in Key West with significance, including Cuba being only 90 miles away. It is also the southernmost point in the U.S. Ft. Kent is close to being the northernmost point in the continental United States.

Interesting to have visited both during the past few weeks. Wonder how long it would take to drive the route from beginning to end?

Light, Love, and Sculpture in Key West

Seward Johnson sculpture in Key West ©MM Sikes

When we landed in Key West, Florida last week, the first thing I noticed was the difference in the light there. The water, foliage, and even the animals have a very Caribbean appearance. The water and clouds reminded me of my Media General painting that sold at auction earlier this month. That painting was based on photographs I took while visiting islands in the lower Caribbean.

Seward Johnson sculpture ©MM Sikes

I also was amazed once again by the life-size pieces of sculpture on the roof that greet arriving visitors to the Conch Republic. I wonder, but didn't ask, if they, too, are by the prolific artist, Seward Johnson, who entertains tourists with his delightful creations on view outside the Art Museum by the docks. He has changed the one in front of the building and now has the sailor kissing the nurse after the WWII popular photograph. An earlier one at that location was of dancers from a different period of history.

Johnson sculptures on the airport roof ©Mary Montague Sikes

Seeing the Johnson sculptural renderings makes a visit the Key West worthwhile. I didn't go inside the Art Museum this time. However, I will never forget "The Boating Party" that Johnson fashioned after the famous Renoir painting.
His fantastic sculpture was on view at the museum several years ago. It was a perfect example of light, love, and sculpture.

Finishing Up August and Needing to Travel

Sunrise Clouds over Key West ©Mary Montague Sikes

Last week, we spent a few days in Key West FL which seemed a fitting way to finish up the month of August and bring about the end of summer. There is something poetic about traveling by air along the coast of Florida and then over water along the Keys. So much is visible from the skies, and, of course, I have long been fascinated by the magnificent views of clouds from the window of a plane.

Several years ago, we flew into Miami, then rented a car to drive along the Overseas Highway to Key West. What a fabulous journey that was. Along the way, we enjoyed a magical, tropical passage. The flight from Miami to Key West is much faster--only a few minutes.

Both the highway and the air provide unforgettable memories for reaching the southernmost point of the continental USA. For the traveler with only a few days, air travel is best. But for those with time to spare, the

Key West near Sunset Point ©Mary Montague Sikes

Overseas Highway is an unique experience.

Leaving Miami ©Mary Montague Sikes

Approaching Key West ©Mary Montague Sikes

"K" is for Key West, Not a National Park, a National Treasure

"Wine at Key West" ©Mary Montague Sikes

In my search for National Parks I want to visit again, I thought about Key West which, while not a park, is a National Treasure. There is something about the atmosphere at the most southern point of our country that makes even a glass of white wine on the porch overlooking the ocean very special.

As I scroll through photographs taken there, I long to return. I want to stroll along the quaint streets, visit the museum on the water that houses Hemingway treasures, and even take the ghost tour once more.

The sunsets are spectacular as one watches for the green flash of light just as the sun settles into the water. Camera in hand, I dream of another visit to a destination filled with charm and wonder. I dream of Key West.

"Sunset" ©Mary Montague Sikes

"Key West Foliage" ©Mary Montague Sikes

A to Z Blogfest, Around the World in 30 Days the the Passenger to Paradise - Key West, Florida

"Southernmost Point in the USA"

Monti in Mona Lisa Portrait

Olen in Renoir Portrait by Johnson

The Passenger to Paradise loves exotic destinations, especially ones that involve islands. For her next Around the World in 30 Days, "k" destination, she has chosen Key West, Florida. What an amazing destination. The Passenger has headed there a few times. At least twice, she has gone by way of driving from Miami to Key West passing through all the keys along the way. What an unbelievable sight! She has found the southernmost point in the US and enjoyed being there.

While in Key West she visited the J. Seward Johnson sculpture projects in which he chose paintings by the masters to create sculptures in which viewers can interact. She loved getting involved with these sculptures/paintings in Key West. This destination is so much more than just visiting another island. It was a special destination for President Harry Truman. It was also special for author Ernest Hemingway.

What destinations are special for you? Have you visited Key West?

Amazing Painting/Sculpture Inspires Writing

For many years, traveling and writing about my experiences has been my passion. While visiting Key West, Florida in 2007, I stumbled upon the most amazing art exhibit in my memory. It was “Beyond the Frame, Impressionism Revisited,” composed of mixed media and bronze sculptures depicting in life-size in 3D a number of famous paintings by French Impressionist artists. This incredible art work, created by J. Seward Johnson, Jr., was displayed so that the viewer could step inside and become of a part of the piece of art. This work was on view for about a year at the Key West Museum of Art and History at the Custom House.

I was especially fascinated by Van Gogh’s “Bedroom” and Renoir’s “The Boating Party.” As an elementary school art teacher, I often display prints of Van Gogh paintings as examples for the children to use as their “points of departure” for classroom assignments. I took a wide variety of photographs of these remarkable Johnson sculptures and posted them around our art room for inspiration when I returned home.

A few years ago, while attending art classes at the College of William and Mary, I enjoyed watching one of the students create an excellent large scale copy of “The Boating Party”. The painting took the student the entire year to complete. Because of that experience, I was even more interested in studying the sculpture of the painting. I came home with quite a few photographs taken of “The Boating Party” sculpture from different angles. In one of them, my husband appears to be inviting one of the pretty young ladies out on a date—so realistic in appearance I felt a little jealous!

When I go back to Key West this year, the fantastic sunsets will still be there. I can visit the Hemingway house and the bars that famous writer frequented, but I shall miss the astonishing sculptures I saw one hot day in 2007. I wish they would return to that museum and that I could study them more closely.

Seward Johnson is a gifted artist with a sense of humor and marvelous talent. I suspect his art has inspired many a writer. I wonder what Hemingway would have thought.

©Mary Montague Sikes