Key West: An “Easy Keezy” 5-Mile Run

When it was time to decide on a wedding destination, we pretty much spun the globe and landed our finger on a random spot - Key West. On paper Key West had it all: plenty of sunshine, sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, fresh seafood, water activities, and of course, key lime pie. But as I was booking my ticket to travel to the island for the first time ever, I found myself asking how it was possible that there was a place in the continental US that had all of this, and why hadn’t I been there yet? 

The flight from Miami to Key West is a 29-minute treat, so be sure to get a window seat! 

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Key West is only 4 miles long and 1 mile wide, so it took some work to carve out a 5 mile run, but you could honestly run in circles here and be completely happy. This run takes you through the streets of Old Town, along Duval Street, past gorgeous historical homes like Hemingway House and Truman’s White House, all the way to the Southernmost tip of the Continental US. So crank up the island tunes and watch out for the chickens along the way! 

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^^^Don’t miss the conch fritters while in Key West. It’s not called the Conch Republic for nothing! Louie’s Backyard or the Conch Republic Seafood Company are a sure bet for delicious bites. 

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^^^Mallory Square is where you can find all the action during sunset - get there early for a good spot to watch the jugglers, pirates, magicians, fire eaters, and the star of the show, the beautiful sunset. 

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^^^The Hemingway House is a gorgeous garden home where Ernest Hemingway lived during his time in Key West. Direct descendants of his cats still live here (40 of them to be exact), which I’m told is a pretty big deal.

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^^^Literally ran to the Southernmost Point of the continental United States!

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^^^Proof.

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^^^ First thing I’d buy if I moved to Key West. 

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^^^Got a little side tracked on my run and stopped for iced coffee and a chocolate croissant (oops!). Pastries from Old Town Bakery are a MUST. 

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^^^Why did the chicken cross the road?

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^^^It wouldn’t be a Key West post, without a little Fat Tuesday action on Duval Street. Beware that if you run down Duval early in the morning, it will smell like beer. Or anytime for that matter, it will probably smell like beer. 

All in all, Key West now holds a very special place in my heart, and I look forward to returning to this beach to say I DO in March 2015!! 

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