Key West signs, Duval Street, Chickens & Sloppy Joes

Key West is a unique place where you can see feral chickens & roosters wandering Duval Street, and where famous watering holes like Sloppy Joe's and The Bull feature live music from can to can't.

We are dry camping along with some 700 other RV'ers at the Navy Base here in Key West. Actually, there are two bases within the NAS Key West complex that make up the 700-plus campsites. The two locations are at Sigsby and Trumbo Point. Sigsby is located 3 to 4 miles from "Duval-Street" in Key West while Trumbo Point Campground is located 6 to 8 blocks from "Duval-Street". We are staying at Trumbo Point, an easy walk to Duval-Street. But remember this is Dry Camping. There is central dump station and fresh water. Generators can run from 6am to 10PM. Life is good.

January, 2010.

Commercial Campgrounds in Key West start at $100 a night and are located about 5-miles from Duval Street. Parking in Key West starts at $13 a day and goes up. The $13 parking site is about 6 blocks from Duval Street. The closer you get to Duval Street the more expensive the parking site.

This Key West sign displayed on a Duval Street Suziki explains the Key West "attitude"

Once you get to the Keys things change. Life is more "laid-back". The only ones in a hurry are the snow birds down here on vacation.

Visitors really do find it hard to "Slow Down". Even down here where everything is laid back they literally can not dine out without being on their cell phone for the entire meal.

We thought you would enjoy seeing this bumper sticker on the back of a Suzuki that pretty much details the attitude of the old "conchs" down here.

Conch Fritters, a Key West delicacy, is featured in this Key West Sign

It is evident that we are in the Conch Republic and conch fritters are one of the delicacies as are stone crab claws and shrimp. Isn't this a beautiful Key West Sign?

Key West signs can be seen on many of the island automobiles

Folks down here march to a different drummer. It is always exciting to see things like this paint job that we do not see in other places. Key West signs can spotted on a variety of mediums.

Many Key West Signs sport "Island colors"

The "organic-folks" are always around and Key West is no exception. We enjoy the variety of Key West signs....as in others this one sends a message.

Free coconut on street in Key West

We just came from the grocery store where they were selling fresh coconut now here we see one on the side of the street by this parked Toyota. They aren't hard to find down here since they just fall off the many coconut palm trees that decorate yards and businesses. I do have to wonder how they are able to sell coconuts in the grocery stores.

This unique paint job does not sport a sign as is so common in Key West

Now that is a cute paint job. Does anyone see one of these in their home town?

Key West Chicken Crossing sign

This is a funny sign in a residential section of town. However, it does have a purpose ...... Don't block my driveway!

Key West attack Chicken sign

Ahh! These folks must have a feisty rooster in the neighborhood. VBG

Key West Chicken near Duval Street

This might be the "Key West Chicken" to beware of. He does not look like he will take any guff off anyone. VBG

Feral Chicken near Duval Street in Key West

On the other hand this feral chicken might be the one that warning was posted for.

Another cute Key West sign.....with a message

Obviously all doggie owners do not pick up after their pets.

A traditional sign that is not unique to Key West....

This place didn't look "rentable" to us but the sign tells a different story. Key West requires a LOT of minimum wage workers. Many of these workers choose to be "homeless" because it just costs too much to rent a place. In some cases 8 to 10 of these workers share one of these $1,700 dollar places but the workers tell me there is always a problem collecting rent from each of those individuals ---- one of them has to have a name on the lease and that one is responsible for paying the rent no matter. We see folks sleeping all over the place. In fact any flat surface appears to be fair game for a nap or a nights sleep. Some places actually provide a "flat" for their workers to stay. It is generally nothing but a roof with some running water and possibly an electric outlet. Many live on boats anchored all over the place. These boats do not have any utilities. They have a dingy that brings them to town. They shower in a public bath house. Those boats generally do not have motors and such. They just float and have a roof and a flat place to sleep. Life down here is certainly different.

Another Key West sign with a message

Oh no. It seems all doggie owners are not being good citizens.

A Key West sign with a disguised message

Another way of saying this would be Pasta in Key West. VBG

Sloppy Joe's on Duval Street......a Key West tradition

The dirty joke man has plied this shtick, in front of Sloppy Joe's, for years. It is amazing the number of folks who walk by and give him a dollar to tell them a dirty joke. The funny thing about it is he can't get a beer down here for a dollar. VBG It is still funny.

Key West signs

You have to love these signs. They both send a powerful message. Key West is noted for sending "messages" for those that will take the time to interpret them.

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Ain't life grand?

That is all there is.

Until next time remember how good life is.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix