Unfortunately, it isn't what it used to be as the price of everything is insane. I miss it being a funky island place that seceded from the country. But it is still a lovely break.

Edited because to secede is different than succeeding.

A while back I read a book - sort of a travel memoir I guess - by a woman who was chronicling traveling around the US by Greyhound by herself (I think she was not American but I could not swear to that, I don't remember the author's name or the title or anything to verify) and I think she ended her journey in the Keys. At the least, there was a girl also travelling on the bus who had this aloof mystique that all the passengers were drawn to and she was from the Keys and going home. The author was struck by once they got there and the girl was amongst her friends she lost her cool factor and was just one of the crowd. Anyway, that's pretty much all I know about the Keys. That and something to do with Hemingway and cats.

The last time I was there the Hemingway House and the extra-toed cats still were there.

Mr. Google tells me I am .7 miles from the Hemingway House and .3 miles from the Southernmost point. I won't be walking too much because it will be hot. I am considering putting a bike rack on my car and taking our bikes, or maybe just renting them there. I don't want to deal with parking.

Sigh. Last time I was in the Keys was for a friend's wedding. I think that was the trip I finally saw the Hemingway House. I'd say "good times" except that this is the friend who served at the pleasure of You-Know-Who and so I don't speak to him anymore.

I love Key West.

I wish I was there this weekend instead of in this sick house! My poor son can't hold anything down but water, which he is consuming plenty of, and Theraflu. He tried sitting outside on the balcony, but even in the mid-80s he was too cold. I am keeping my distance!!

I'm going to point to this every time the "but everywhere has corner stores what's so special about them" debate comes around.

This is the one thing about New York I wish I had. Loosie eggs! Also breakfast sandwiches.

 Again, also, they get me half and half. Like, they don't normally carry it, but I asked, and they get it just for me :)

Bodegas are magic, I am convinced.

  but I think it would help her in the future if she does it. 

Yeah, people need confidence. I'm not always the best at trying things that scare me but I did learn how to travel by myself and it's a confidence boost I'm grateful to have. Maybe next time she'll try it.

 Yes, Floridians go to the keys for vacations. 

Hope your son recovers quickly.

I stupidly was Trader Joe's grocery shopping today and realized halfway through that I wasn't masked. I live pretty rural -- for all I say Joshua Tree has changed. The Palm Springs area is much more crowded and I intend to mask in any crowded area (more than the Rite Aid drive thru, basically). I need to get conditioned again to masking. As opposed to what I do now, which is avoiding people because people are so people-y.

I super miss the fresh cooked sandwiches available at corner stores on the east coast. I feel like there’s way more good coffee options out here but very few corner stores do a fresh breakfast sandwich.

Just dropped a recovering and no longer contagious ltc at Mom’s for the weekend. TCG is a little snuffly, but we’re pushing through with our weekend plans. We head to our hotel tomorrow and we have tickets to see the nominated animated shorts and live action shorts at a small movie theater there. And dinner reservations at a place that looks like it has some of my favorite local foods and nice cocktails. Tonight we go home eat charcuterie and buratta ravioli with pesto and watch the premiere of S3 of Yellowjackets.

Have a wonderful weekend, sj!! It sounds lovely.