| Would you die for a romantic getaway where | | | | descendant of architect John Roebling and |
| your boss can't find you? Less than two hours | | | | engineer Washington Roebling, renowned builders |
| south from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport, or | | | | of the Brooklyn Bridge. Mullet Mansion is hosted |
| an hour closer from Miami, is the laid back | | | | by Suzy Roebling who specializes in packages for |
| community of Key Largo. With a reputation for | | | | Weddings, Honeymoons and Anniversaries, with |
| die-hard beer guzzling fishermen and no frills | | | | music, flowers, wedding cake, champagne and all |
| accommodations, most travelers pass it by on | | | | the trimmings. You'll find her online at the Key |
| their way to Key West. Don't be fooled by what | | | | Largo Bed and Breakfast Directory. |
| you see and don't see from the roadside. | | | | Key Largo is not only famous for Bogey and |
| There are secluded millionaire homes, as well as | | | | Bacall, but the spectacular underwater John |
| reasonably priced secluded Bed and Breakfasts | | | | Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park. Here you can |
| that welcome you with everything from eclectic | | | | snorkel and swim with the Dolphins as I did, or |
| air conditioned private suites to your own private | | | | just enjoy the natural beauty of this tropical |
| sandy cove for watching the awesome sunsets | | | | paradise from a glass bottom boat, as I did. |
| you'll only see in the Florida Keys. No I do not | | | | If you're looking for nightlife Duval Street, Key |
| work for their Chamber of Commerce. | | | | West rocks. It's about two hours south on the |
| Hidden behind trees and down winding gravel | | | | Overseas Highway and it has terrific restaurants |
| roads to the sea, if you miss the Mile Markers on | | | | from cheap to expensive. I always warn friends |
| the road, you'll pass these hideaways and never | | | | who've never been that Key West is noisy, |
| know they're there. Some B&Bs will provide | | | | colorful, and crowded all year. But strolling the |
| full kitchens stocked for breakfasts, with Jacuzzis | | | | back streets and side streets of old town Key |
| and the use of their boats and bikes at no extra | | | | West transports you back a hundred years to |
| charge. After a rest stop at the worst possible | | | | the seafaring town with the gingerbread houses. |
| looking broken down shack (I couldn't wait for the | | | | Tours of The Hemingway House run all day long |
| next gas station), I asked an old geezer sitting at | | | | and cost a lot more than when I first saw it. But |
| the darker than pitch bar for directions to a | | | | if you're looking for the shack Tennessee Williams |
| decent restaurant. With an irresistible smile and a | | | | rented, be prepared with a map and good shoes . |
| light step, the old fellow politely took my arm and | | | | When you return to sleepy Key Largo you'll |
| debonairly directed me to what turned out to be | | | | probably want to fall into your hammock to |
| one of the best fresh caught fish restaurants on | | | | watch the blood red sunset on the water. But |
| the East Coast with the unruly name of Hobos. It | | | | don't forget to listen for that whistle on the wind. |
| was my first lesson in understanding the natives. | | | | You know the one where Bogart says ... "You |
| From fishermen, explorers and X-husbands to | | | | know how to whistle don't you?" Then you might |
| artists and wannabe writers, you might be talking | | | | want to retreat inside, kick back and drink a toast |
| to the next Ernest Hemingway. | | | | to that venerable Brooklyn Bridge. |
| I stayed at a B&B owned by a young | | | | |