The coolest thing I saw in 2008

I was driving from Miami on US-1 to Key West. There are several spans of smaller bridges that run parallel to US-1. One of those bridges has the most amazing TREE growing right on it.

There in the middle of all that asphalt and concrete is a beautiful tree -- just growing out over all that water. I've never seen anything like it before. It was so alone and out of place, yet so healthy and present.

I met Ernest Hemmingway

He was in Key West. He told me of a time he was arrested for burgulary and molestation. Molestation of a palm tree. You see, he burgularized a house (years ago) and when a neighbor noticed him in the house he slid down a palm tree that was just outside an upstairs window. The police came and arrested him. Upon their arrival, they noticed he slid down the palm and some of the branches got torn off. Hence the Molestation of a Palm Tree charges. Totally unfair.

I like the sunset behind us.

I also went on a biplane tour of Key West. Here's a pic and a movie:

I saw a ton of cool stuff, but most importantly, I finally made the voyage to the birthplace of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. I've always wanted to have my picture taken by the Southernmost Point marker ... so I did. Twice.