The Southern Tip of the USA in Florida is Unforgettable

A few years ago my husband and I took a beautiful vacation to southern Florida. We stayed in Islamorada, a Key at about the halfway point between Miami and Key West.

Well, one morning we woke up and decided to venture down with some friends to Key West Florida.

We knew there was plenty of history and activities to find there and I was looking forward to doing some shopping in the quaint little mecca of downtown Key West. Of course we hit the stores and picked up some really nice gifts and vacation items. We made our stops to Sloppy Joe's Bar and of course to the one and only famed Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet's home away from home. But nothing left more of a lasting impression than our last stop of the night, the southernmost point of the USA.

Its not the easiest place to find, especially at night and especially when you have a few too many Margaritas. While, winding through the streets in the quaint residential neighborhoods of Key West, it seems like you are always making another turn and then suddenly at the corner of South and Whitehead streets to your right is a large buoy marking the southernmost tip of the United States.

After the other sight seekers clear way its now your turn to go up there and grab a hold of or in my case even kiss the big buoy. It's of course red, white, yellow and blue and about 10 feet or so in circumference. Enough for half a hug! Make sure to have someone there to snap the photos while you model in front of the marker, so everyone knows you were there.

It's gorgeous with the Gulf of Mexico straight behind you, the sights are endless and beautiful. I took a moment to reflect on where I was and how it felt to be there. Serene, comforting and grateful.

The Buoy was erected in 1983 after years of out of state travelers and hoodlums alike repeatedly stole the signs and buoy's for their own selfish motives. The concrete and very secure new cement monument still stands today. It also happens to be one of the most photographed attractions north of the famed city of Havana!

90 miles to the south of this point lies Havana, Cuba, a gorgeous little place but not as free and easy as Key West Florida. Yes, I was in fact doing some Havana Daydreamin' (as Mr. Jimmy Buffett wrote a popular song about.) I imagined the little cantinas and beach side cabanas serving fruity drinks and Cuban cigars. The thought soon banished and I decided even though I've never been there I liked Key West better!The atmosphere of the area and the memories made in and around the southernmost tip of the United States are priceless and cries out for you to always come back and never forget such a unique place.

Mile Marker 0- It's where it all began and truly the only place that stakes claim as being the Conch Republic! To me this is one of the most beautiful land marks in the United States.