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During our cruise to the Caribbean in Nov./Dec. 2024, we went on a couple of snorkel excursions, and really enjoyed both of those. So we decided to make a trip to the Key West, FL area in late September 2025 to check out the sights, and try scuba diving.
We flew down to Miami on a Wednesday, got a rental car and drove to Key West via the Intercoastal Highway/Highway 1. In Key West we stayed at lodging at the Key West Naval Air Station.
For our second day in Key West we made a “Discover Scuba” excursion. (Mike is already certified scuba diver, although it’s been a while – over 40 years(!) – since he’s been on a dive.) Discover Scuba is a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) designed program for those new to scuba diving that want to give it a try without committing to a full diver certification type course.
There was an initial couple of hours of pool training in the morning before we headed out in the afternoon for the dive. The PADI instructors at Southpoint Divers were first-rate, very patient and helpful. It was an overall great experience!
On Friday, we visited the President Harry Truman Little White House in Key West. The site was the winter white house for President Truman. Truman spent a total of 175 days during 13 visits at the site. Presidents Taft, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter and Clinton have also used the house.
We also visit Fort Taylor and the beach at President Zachary Taylor State Park on Friday. The park is on the southern edge of Key West, where the Gulf of America and the Atlantic Ocean meet. The fort predates the Civil War and was for in use for coastal defense through WW II. The park has a very nice beach where we did some snorkeling.
On Saturday morning, we checked out of lodging at Key West Naval Air Station and drove up to Key Largo, where we spent the night. We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo, and unbeknownst to me when I made the reservation, the hotel has a “Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall – Key Largo” and “Humphrey Bogart/Katherine Hepburn – African Queen” type theme.
Briefly for those not familiar with Humphrey Bogart, he starred in a 1948 movie with Lauren Bacall called “Key Largo”. And Bogart won an Oscar for the 1951 movie “African Queen”, staring with Katherine Hepburn. At a pier next to the Hotel, the actual “African Queen” boat used in the 1951 movie was docked.
The next morning it was back to Miami International Airport to catch our flight to Cincinnati, and then the drive home.
Overall, a fun and enjoyable trip!
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