St. Mary Star of the Sea and other Key West pics

We stumbled upon this church, appropriately named St. Mary Star of the Sea.

 This is the view from the southernmost point of the continental U.S. looking back towards land at the crescent moon above the Southermost Guest House. We also walked past the Southernmost Hotel and crossed the souternmost intersection. Then we came to the southernmost beach, walked out onto the southernmost pier and for a few brief moments, as I looked out from the edge of the pier I stood as the southernmost man in the continental U.S. Who said I accomplished nothing on this trip? Captain Ken photos

 Going back to St. Mary's, this is the parish's perpetual adoration chapel.

 Inside the chapel

 Child statue at the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at St. Mary's, Key West. Built by Sister Louis Gabriel of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1922, locals say the grotto has protected Key West from the full brunt of a hurricane since then.

Admiring the parish's Stations of the Cross.

 Statue of Mary at the grotto.

 Crucifixion station

Our Lady of Lourdes grotto.

The convent on the parish grounds served as a hospital during the Spanish American War.

Bust of Sister Louis Gabriel in the Key West Town Square.

Now I'm seeing iguanas on the streets. 

Or maybe I was just "wasting away again in Margaritaville" cafe on Duval St.

A different lifestyle in Key West

Living in a mooring field is very different from common modern life. It's hard to underestimate the beauty of waking up to the sun gently rising over the water, and enjoying a Corona as you watch it set, while knowing that you're in your own remote spot accessible only to those who also have a boat handy.

As I found out the hard way though, electronics don't like salt water; and I think my cell phone bit the dust when a few salt water crystals got inside it. Riding to shore on our dinghy, which we dubbed Enterprise, could be a wet ride, so we have to keep everything covered every time we ride in and out . The ride to shore from our spot in the Garrison Bight Key West mooring field is about 20 minutes long by dinghy. Also, Wifi is no longer working out in the mooring field, so we came into Miami Subs today to get Internet, and that's where I am now.

 Avalon and Bayshack (our buddy boat) in Garrison Bight, Key West. Captain Ken photos

 Avalon at rest in Key West

Avalon at rest in Key West

But these little inconveniences can't dampen my spirit. When we first came to Key West, I noticed on a tourist map the prominent presence of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, a minor basilica that takes up a whole city block. It just goes to show, even if you are going to Key West to party on Duval Street, God is never too far away.

I promise to get photos of the basilica. Stay tuned.