Christmas in the Keys

I just really want to get my Christmas Day post up here! After lunching in Little Havana, we hopped in the car and sped south down Highway 1 toward the keys. They are haunting and beautiful, and also more than a hair redneck. We had a lovely day, stopping mid-afternoon for a libation at the Ocean View Inn & Pub.

Apparently, the Ocean View has the oldest and most established liquor license in the keys. What does most established mean?


This place is adorable, tip to toe.


The bartender on duty was a peach. Lots of TVs and regular friendly customers.


I like the old wooden bar seats attached to the floor.


You have a view of the Gulf of Mexico off the back patio, and there is a lovely tropical feeling bar out there as well, with just as many customers.


I can imagine a long summer day, lounging in an Adirondack chair drinking mai tais and watching the sun move across the sky.


They have several areas for the kids to burn off steam..


And even a lovely little pool. This is a mini-resort. I can definitely see myself staying here sometime down the road when we come back and do this trip for more than the novelty.


They do huge BBQs in the summertime back here, and they even have a smoker.



As we got on the road, the sun was really starting to sink. We headed south toward the 7-Mile Bridge enjoying the last of the scenery.

After the sun really goes down, you are no longer in the keys. You are just on another dark two-lane highway, Anywhere, U.S.A.