Our Visit to Key West Florida

The land of sunshine...  Key West Florida - 2004

For Christmas 2003, Kenny gave Jimmy a trip to Key West during March to celebrate our birthdays. It was something we had been thinking about for some time after our trip to San Francisco. It was in SF that we found we were able to feel so much at home in the gay community and we wanted to spend more time doing that and of course also enjoy the warm sunshine that we would both need by that time in the winter. Kenny did all the planning and it was something we ended up counting the days for as the time got closer. It would be a chance to once again just be totally who we were and to be among ‘family’. One of our hopes was that we might make some new friendships. We both have a desire to make more gay friends and there is not a lot of opportunity for that here in New Hampshire.

We stayed in an all male all gay resort call ‘Island House”. It is a private gated resort that is also clothing optional. That was the one aspect of the vacation that we were a little excited about but certainly also a bit apprehensive never having been in that environment before. As it turned out, it was the most natural thing in the world and really, no big deal. The hot tub and pool were perfect for going natural!

The sundeck provided lots of room to catch some rays and just kick back and relax. The weather was warm and sunny so you just had to be a little careful with the sun on the tender parts.

We spent quit a bit of time around the pool. It was there that we met our friends from Milwaukee and Florida We had a group of about 10 of us that stuck together quit a bit and it seemed that there was always someone from our little group seated at this table. Here we made plans for the days and evenings, had a bite to eat, and a few drinks. But most of all, we talked and talked. We found great places to eat and even took in a show at ‘La-Ti-Das’ with a female impersonator. It was a hoot and a half!

Here are some of the good friends we made during our visit to Island House. We are out on a sunset cruise on the “Blue-Q’ gay catamaran.

Here we are (Jim and Ken) on that sunset cruise

Our friendly bar tender Jeffery

Kenny also arranged for a few surprises on my birthday like this birthday cake and also a dozen roses. He’s so thoughtful.

-- Jim, 05-15-2004