The great peninsula of Florida extends over 400 miles south from the eastern seacoast of North America. Below its southern tip, a curved archipelago, consisting of thousands of small islands and coral reefs, stretches another two hundred miles south and west. It helps to form a great natural barrier between the South Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. We visited Key West in June 2005.
They call these islands the Florida Keys. Most of them rise only a few feet above the shallow seabed and are covered with mangrove swamps, shallow beaches strewn with shells and occasionally a few palm trees. A few islands are large enough to support thriving villages.
The view of sunset left deep impression of divine artistry at its best. As the Sun approaches the horizon and leaves its last unobstructed reflection on ocean's belly, nature extends its warm invitation for the artwork display that is about to begin.
The sky transitions into being lit afire and the clouds present the imagery of fumes from the fire erupting in the horizon.
The Sun peeps through the clouds, as if to epitomize the spark of the fire afar. The grandeur of the scene brings a simultaneous release of mixed emotions of peace and excitement. A realization of our humble existence in nature's lap.
As day unites with night one witnesses orchestrated painting, rhythmic concert, and an eruption of spontaneous dance - all coordinated at the same time by some divine intervention. This symphony of artistic medley rouses the senses deep within. The magnificence of this nature's stage is breathtaking.
It makes one realize the true beauty of union. The union of the two forces of day and night imprint their distinct signature, yet maintain their core essence. The blend brings out an image that is nothing less than spectacular. What a display by nature in preparation of its nightly slumber!
One is reminded of the elegant elucidation of the satisfying and mystifying beauty of a sunset that George MacDonald wrote in his book The Portent:
"There I would often lie, as the sun went down, and watch the silent growth of another sea, which the stormy ocean of the wind could not disturb - the sea of the darkness. First it would begin to gather in the bottom of hollow places. Deep valleys, and all little pits on the hillsides, were wellsprings where it gathered, and whence it seemed to overflow, till it had buried the earth beneath its mass, and, rising high into the heavens, swept over the faces of the stars, washed the blinding day from them, and let them shine, down through the waters of the dark, to the eyes of men below."
People gather on the pier to enjoy the sight of the sunset and have few drinks:
The Key West lighthouse:
We visited Ernest Hemingway's house. This is the room in which he penned some of his great novels:
Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area.
The 3rd largest living coral reef in the world is located just off the Florida Keys. I spent some time snorkeling in the gorgeous pristine waters.