Living in Key West

Happy Friday from Key West! ☕️🌴

Is it too early to put up the Christmas tree? 🎄 We're kicking things off with that debate, chatting about the book I'm reading, The Calamity Club, and getting Greg's college football picks for the weekend! 🏈

Then we're diving into a fascinating piece of Florida Keys history: Spanish Marie, a Prohibition-era rum runner who operated a liquor-smuggling business while trying to stay one step ahead of the Coast Guard. 🍹

Plus, a few things happening around Key West as we head toward Thanksgiving!

So, when does your Christmas tree go up? Before Thanksgiving or after? 🎄

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #KeyWestHistory #LivingInKeyWest #WakeUpInKeyWest

Happy Veterans Day from Key West! 🇺🇸🌴

Today we're taking a little time to recognize the men and women who have served, including the veterans in our own families.

We're also looking back at Key West's military history, from the Navy's arrival in the 1820s to Fort Zachary Taylor, Truman Annex, and the military presence that's still such an important part of our island today.

Plus, we're sharing a couple of things happening around town this weekend, including the upcoming Key West Oyster Fest! 🦪

Did you know Key West has more than 200 years of military history?

A little island history, some local happenings, and a special thank you to everyone who has served. ❤️🇺🇸

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #VeteransDay #KeyWestHistory #WakeUpInKeyWest

Happy Monday from Key West! ☕️🌴

We're starting the week with a little island history, some local news, and a few things to put on your calendar!

We're talking about Flagler Station and the exciting plans to bring Jimmy Buffett's Shrimp Boat Sound Collective to the historic location. 🎶

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we're also sharing some local places where you can order your holiday dinner to take home. 🦃

Plus, a few upcoming Key West events, including Veterans Day happenings and the Key West Film Festival.

Are you cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, ordering it, or going out?

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #KeyWestHistory #LivingInKeyWest #WakeUpInKeyWest

Happy Friday from Key West! ☕️🌴

It's boat race weekend, and there's plenty happening around the island!

We're catching up on a couple of local election results, including the decision to keep Key West's mayoral terms unchanged.

Of course, we're talking Key West Boat Race Weekend! 🚤 Plus, a few other things happening around town, including First Fridays on Fleming and Reef Relief's 40th anniversary celebration.

What's your favorite part of Key West boat race week?

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #KeyWestBoatRaces #LivingInKeyWest #WakeUpInKeyWest

It's movie time in Key West! 🎬🌴

We're keeping today's episode a little shorter, but there's still plenty to chat about over coffee. ☕️

We're talking favorite movies, the ones we could watch a hundred times and never get tired of, and looking ahead to the 15th annual Key West Film Festival, happening November 18–22!

From Hollywood classics to documentaries with local connections, including one about Jimmy Buffett's original Coral Reefers, we're sharing a few films and events that caught our attention.

And of course, it's Key West Boat Race Week! 🚤 We're giving you a quick rundown of what's happening between now and Friday, including the first day of racing and some of the festivities around town.

What's one movie you could watch over and over again and never get tired of? We'd love to hear your answers!

A little movie talk, some island happenings, and a few things to put on your calendar.

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #KeyWestFilmFestival #KeyWestBoatRaces #WakeUpInKeyWest

Happy November from Key West! ☕️🌴

Halloween is behind us, the holidays are creeping up, and there's plenty happening around the island.

We're kicking things off with a little weekend catch-up and football talk before getting into something that's been all over social media lately: king tides and flooding in Key West. 🌊

What exactly causes king tides? Have we always dealt with them? And does seeing a flooded street mean the entire island is underwater? (Spoiler: it doesn't.) We're talking about what's really happening and why understanding how flooding affects individual properties matters.

Then we're getting into Key West Boat Race Week! 🚤 The offshore powerboats are back, and we're sharing what's happening around town and when you can catch the races.

And since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, we're looking at a few Key West restaurants to consider if you'd rather let someone else do the cooking this year. 🦃

Are you coming to Key West for the boat races, or will you be spending Thanksgiving on the island?

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #KeyWestBoatRaces #LivingInKeyWest #WakeUpInKeyWest

Just in time for Halloween, we're sharing some of Key West's creepiest ghost stories, including one that's so disturbing it doesn't even need a ghost. 👻🎃

Grab your coffee and join us for a special Halloween edition of Wake Up in Key West! ☕️🌴

We're starting with a couple of follow-ups from our last episode, including why coral expels the algae it depends on to survive and a little more about the traditions surrounding Día de Muertos.

Then we're diving into the spooky stuff!

We're visiting the Hemingway House, the Banyan Resort, and Marrero's Guest Mansion, where former residents and mysterious visitors are said to still make appearances.

We're also sharing the unbelievable true story of Elena Hoyos and Count von Cosel, one of the most disturbing chapters in Key West history.

And finally, we're heading to Pigeon Key for a listener-requested ghost story involving a mysterious handprint, a tragic death, and a surprising twist that changes the legend entirely.

Which haunted place in the Florida Keys would you be brave enough to spend the night in? 👻

A little history, a few ghost stories, and some things you really couldn't make up.

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #HauntedKeyWest #KeyWestGhostStories #WakeUpInKeyWest

Can healthy coral actually help save its bleached neighbors? And did you know there's a special Día de Muertos tradition for remembering the pets we've loved and lost? 🪸🐾

Grab your coffee and join us for another morning in Key West! ☕️🌴

Today we're saying goodbye to our little meatball! After keeping us company and insisting on nightly walks down Duval Street, our adorable houseguest is heading home now that his mommy is back from France. We're definitely going to miss him!

We're also talking about a beautiful tradition associated with Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead. October 27 has become a day when some families honor the pets they've lost, creating special offerings called ofrendas to welcome their spirits home. We're sharing the meaning behind this tradition and remembering some of our own beloved pets. ❤️

Then we're diving into some fascinating new coral research! Scientists at Stanford have discovered that healthy coral can actually help bleached coral recover through physical contact. We're talking about what they found and what it could eventually mean for our struggling reefs here in the Florida Keys. 🪸

And with Halloween just a few days away, we're giving you a sneak peek at Friday's special episode! We've got some incredible Key West ghost stories lined up, including the Hemingway House, the Banyan Resort, the Marrero House, Fort Jefferson's eerie neighbors on Pigeon Key, and the unbelievable story of Count von Cosel. 👻

We'd love to hear from you! If you have a beloved pet who's no longer with you, share their name and a favorite memory in the comments. 🐾

A little island life, some fascinating science, and a whole lot of heart.

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #DiaDeMuertos #CoralReefConservation #WakeUpInKeyWest

Fantasy Fest may be over, but Key West isn't slowing down! 🎭🌴

Happy Monday! Grab your coffee and join us for another morning in Key West!

We're recapping a fantastic Fantasy Fest weekend, including the Locals' March and Saturday night's big parade. We're talking costumes, our favorite moments, and of course, Greg's weekend college football recap. ☕️🏈

We've also got an update on the historic Diesel Plant in Bahama Village, including some encouraging news about what portions of the property might be preserved.

And just when you thought Key West might quiet down, the offshore powerboat races are right around the corner! 🚤 We're talking about what to expect, when the races take place, and how you can get in on the excitement.

Then we're heading about 70 miles west of Key West for today's haunted history at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. 👻

This massive Civil War-era fortress has a fascinating history, including its time as a military prison and its connection to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. And, of course, there are plenty of ghost stories surrounding the old fort.

Did you know you can actually camp overnight at Fort Jefferson? Would you be brave enough to spend the night there?

Fantasy Fest memories, Key West news, boat races, and a little haunted history.

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #FantasyFest2026 #DryTortugas #WakeUpInKeyWest

Is Fort Zachary Taylor one of the most haunted places in Key West? 👻🌴

Happy Friday! Grab your coffee because Fantasy Fest's biggest weekend is here, and we have plenty to talk about!

We're kicking things off with some college football predictions before diving into what's happening around the island.

Greg's talking real estate and something buyers don't always consider. What can't listing photos tell you about a home? From unusual smells and sloping floors to natural light and neighborhood noise, we're sharing some things that can completely change how you feel about a property. 🏡

And with Fantasy Fest heading into its final weekend, we're sharing what's happening around Key West, including the Masquerade March, Duval Street Fair, and Saturday's big parade! 🎭

Then things get spooky as we head to Fort Zachary Taylor, one of Key West's most fascinating historic landmarks. From its important role during the Civil War to the soldiers who lost their lives there, the fort has some incredible history.

But according to local ghost stories, some of those soldiers may have never left. Mysterious footsteps, unexplained sounds, and sightings of uniformed figures are just a few of the stories surrounding this historic fort. 👻

Would you explore Fort Zachary Taylor alone after dark?

Island life, real estate, Fantasy Fest, and a little haunted Key West history.

Basically, another morning with us. ☕️🌴

🎙️ Wake Up in Key West
New episodes Monday, Wednesday + Friday at 7 AM.

#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #FantasyFest2026 #HauntedKeyWest #WakeUpInKeyWest