BURN THE FLAG

A Key West day.

The hurricane season ends today. It was a good year for Key West. No significant problems.

Key West has a tradition. One of many. All hurricane flags are burned on the last day of the hurricane season. November 30.

The Conch Republic is in charge of today’s burning. The event will take place at 4:30 at the USCG Ingham Museum at the Waterfront Park.

Guaranteed, there will be a large crowd.

I have frequently written the past few years that Key West will kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

I refer to tourism. Better each year. Hotels and bars making a ton of money.

In the meantime, the flavor of the town is changing. Change expected, but not as rapidly as it is coming.

Increased tourism means everything crowded during the season. Sidewalks, streets, etc. Parking next to impossible. Prices shooting through the roof.

Eventually, tourism numbers will begin to die off. An inevitable happening. Visitors will find the crowds and prices too much. The goose will die.

My motivation in writing about tourism again is a recent report which noted tourism is up for all the Keys thus far this year, except for September.

Suicides a world wide concern today. “A major health concern.” On the rise. Up 24 percent from 1999-2014. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reported 47,173 suicide deaths in the U.S. in 2017.

Key West has had its share. Some years more than others. It has organized to help those considering suicide.

There is a walk today to further community concern with the problem. At 10:30 this morning. Begins at the Amphitheater. The walk labeled Out of the Darkness Walks.

This morning’s KONK Life E-Blast carries a picture of the Bull and Whistle as it looked in 1963.

Not known as the Bull and Whistle then. It was The Gallery Lounge Tavern.

Some differences between the 1963 and today’s business could be noted.

The 1963 bar had shutters/covers on the windows. There was no wrap around balcony on the second floor. What existed were 3 smaller balconies.

Most significant, there was no “third floor” or roof top activity indicated. The Garden of Eden not yet a thought in anyone’s mind.

Climate change important to the world. Extremely important to those who live in the Keys. Higher water levels and extreme heat two of the more serious problems to be faced.

No one has been sitting on their asses in the Keys.

An example the Regional Climate Leadership Conference sponsored by Monroe County and certain communities, including Key West. A 3 day conference. It will take place at the Casa Marina Resort 12/3-12/5.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

7 comments on “BURN THE FLAG

  1. Get ready for four more years of Trump climate change denial and inaction. Maybe that is what he will ultimately be remembered for in the history books.

  2. I agree with you Lou about an impending tourism decline in Key West and probably sooner than later. However, I disagree with you about it’s causes.It’s not going to be about any increases in crowds and prices. It will be because of quality and uniqueness. I’m not coming back if KW is just another Dubuque, something it seems hell bent on becoming. What you and the rest of the myopic people who live in the keys don’t know is that parking is impossible in the rest of this country, especially the places you want to be, expensive too. Crowded Streets? have you been to NYC, NOLA or San Francisco lately? people come to KW because it is unique, it is different and it is FUN. Great food and colorful characters. But you are right about one thing, the locals are the problem. They’re mostly rude and grumpy and that seems to be getting worse. Just look at the comments on this blog, most of the complaints about KW are from people who live local.

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