Sunset Celebration (Mallory Square) Key West, Florida

A nightly ritual to gather at Mallory Square Dock to celebrate the sunset has been a long standing tradition in Key West.

Mallory Square is located at 400 Wall Street.

It is situated on the waterfront in Key West's historic downtown area, adjacent to the cruise ship port.

About two hours before sunset, the crowd begins gathering at the water's edge to watch street performers

listen to musicians

and wandering along looking at crafts made by local artisans.

You can even find out what your future holds if so inclined.

Some of the performers entertain simply by just being there, while others are very talkative and quite the comedians.

I don't remember this guy's name, but he was so funny and pull the audience in on his act.

The Cat Man (Dominique LeFort) has been a part of the celebration for many years. It is amazing to see how much he cares for his cats and what he can get them to do!

In addition to all of the entertainment and beautiful surroundings, there are huge sailboats cursing around the area!

Unfortunately, it was cloudy the night we were there, but it was still a pretty sunset.

The Sunset Celebration is a big part of Key West and a definite must do! There is no fee to enter the celebration, but you will have to pay for parking if you are not staying near by.

Happy Travels! 

A Day Trip to Saona Island from La Romana with Pro Excursions

When stopping at La Romana, Dominican Republic on your Carnival Cruise, taking an excursion to Saona Island is a must-do activity. Although shopping and exploring the port area might not be as desirable, the island is a tropical paradise worth visiting.

We chose to book our excursion with Pro Excursions, located in Bayahide. After being picked up from the port, we enjoyed a bumpy boat ride to the island while admiring the stunning views.

The highlight of our trip was a snorkeling adventure near some old bridge pilings. The crystal-clear waters, white sand, and palm trees surrounding the island made it a truly breathtaking experience. It's no wonder that many movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean and The Blue Lagoon, were filmed on Saona Island.

During our visit, we were treated to authentic Dominican cuisine under a huge palm-roofed shelter. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect for a tropical island getaway.

On the way back, we made a stop at the Natural Pool, a 5-mile wide area that's only 3 feet deep and home to an abundance of starfish. It was a unique and memorable experience that we won't forget.

The rum!

If you're considering taking an excursion to Saona Island, we highly recommend booking with Pro Excursions. It's a fantastic way to experience the beauty and culture of the Dominican Republic. Just remember to wear mosquito repellent and have fun!

Enjoy You Visit! 

Rip Van Winkle Gardens (Balinese Style) New Iberia, Louisiana

We stumbled upon this amazing place by accident. My Mother and I  were needing a place to stop and stretch on our way to Biloxi, Mississippi from Arkansas.

We were really excited to see that lodging was available in one of the garden cottages! We were lucky, considering they have limited lodging and it was so last minute!

The Rip Van Winkle Gardens is twenty-five acres of semitropical Balinese style paradise that surrounds the Joseph Jefferson Home. It is crazy how beautiful this tropical garden is in January. Can you imagine what it looks like in the summer!

The land sits atop a salt dome on Lake Peigneur in New Iberia, Louisiana.

The home was built in 1870 by Joseph Jefferson as his winter home.

In 1905, the home and land was sold to John Lyle Bayless, Sr. After the death of John Bayless, his son Jack developed Rip Van Winkle Gardens around the historic home in the late 1950's.

He later donated the home and surrounding land to a private operating foundation and built himself a new home by the lake.

On November 20, 1980 a drilling accident involving the salt mine caused a whirlpool effect pulling some of the Rip Van Winkle garden area and Jacks new house into the mine.

The top of the chimney in the lake is the only visible remains of Jack’s new home. The damage to the Rip van Winkle place had been restored.

The beautiful gates lead up to the Joseph Jefferson House. The cottages are on the right at the end of the drive.

If you stay in one of the cottages, the whole place is yours to enjoy alone after they close at 5 pm.

We walked along the shore of the lake and watched an amazing sunset before returning to our cottage for the night. This is truly a unique place to stay!

Planning your visit:

1. Make reservation well in advance if you want lodging. They only have three cottages to stay in at the gardens.
2. The best thing about staying in one of the cottages is that you have to grounds to yourself after it closes to the public!
3. Go in the spring, summer, or fall time. Although it is beautiful in the winter, there are a lot of bare spots.
4. Be sure and take the tour of the Joseph Jefferson House. It is very interesting! (The tour is free with lodging)
5. Check out their web site here.

Happy Travels!

Old Colorado Inn (Review) Stuart, Florida

I was on a on a long road trip from Arkansas to Key West with my mother, daughter, and her friend where we drove drown the gulf coast and back up the east coast. We were on the tail end of our two week trip when we pulled up at the Old Colorado Inn.

Upon arriving we were greeted by the owner, Steven, who met us with glasses of fresh limeade for us all. It was by far the best limeade I have ever tasted!

After checking into our suite, Steven insisted on helping us unload our luggage and carry it to our room. I was kind of hesitant because the jeep was a total disaster from practically living in it for the past two weeks, but he only hesitated for a second before he pulled the luggage out for us.

Despite being attacked by junk and bags of luggage as soon as the hatch was opened, he just smiled and made us feel welcome!

We stayed in the Key West Suite. The path and entryway that led to our door was simply beautiful! Along the path, you are surrounded by flowers and a little gate that opens up to the path.

That evening, freshly baked cookies were placed on our kitchen counter. In the morning, fresh bagels, muffins and orange juice were delivered to our door.  Talk about service!

A shot walk thought a neighborhood filed with beautifully landscaped cottages will get you to many small specialty stores, restaurants, and the river walk.

It is a short drive to the beaches on Hutchinson Island.

Overall our experience was one to remember! We truly felt like family members while staying at Old Colorado Inn and were treated with nothing but the best service! I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel!

Happy Travels! ~ Sherri