Off of Key West, I am 100 yards away from Christmas Tree Island. The current rips through here making for a bouncy dinghy ride to shore. The winds are consistently above 15 knots and, as days pass, generally move around in a clockwise direction.

For many, Key West is known as Paradise. The climate here ranges, generally from the 70's at night, to the 80's during daylight hours. Flowers are in perpetual bloom and it is quite comfortable. Good weather for putting another coat of varnish on the boat.

Every day the sound of music and laughter travel across the water and fills my ears. The town is bustling with tourists, especially when one of the many cruise ships pulls into port. There are a bevy of places to eat, drink and go shopping. Duval Street is the main drag and all the streets leading to it are commercial laden arteries.

I am easily lured into the idea of contributing to the retail environment by spending money at nice restaurants and souvenir shops. I am on a tight budget and it seems like every time I make it to land I spend too much. Consequently, I tend to observe the town from a safe distance aboard the LTD.