Jack's Journal: Keyed Up In Key West
CBS News producer Jack Halsbond is behind the wheel of The Early Show's Winnebago Destination, traveling the country in July and August as part of the "Great American Vacation" giveaway road trip. Read his Web-exclusive road diary.
The first week on the road saw The Early Show's
"Great American Vacation" tour visit the paradise that is Florida's Key West.
Closer to Cuba than to Miami, Key West boasts a potpourri of bistros, boutiques and bars where the ever present Margaritas flow steadily. As the sun rose over Mallory Square, Howard Livingston's 24 Mile Marker band gave the roosters and the crowd something to crow about. Their lively Key West sound filled the morning sunshine with island music that made it impossible to keep from dancing.
We were also treated to the pulsing rhythms of the family founded group Thunder from Down Under, which delighted all as they loudly demonstrated the Bahamian carnival culture of Junkanoo in full costume.
The original Key West Buzz Babes, Pamela Childs and Rhonda Florence, graciously granted producer Steve Cohen and myself access to their audience as we were interviewed on their cable television show the "Buzz of Key West." They are also the associate editors of the Key West publication Travel Host magazine.
See more photos from our Key West visit!
Amy Tulver from the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum showed off a 23.5 carat unmarked gold ingot along with a 16.5 carat marked ingot. The marking showed that the 20 percent tax to the King of Spain had been paid, the lack of any marking indicated that the larger ingot was being smuggled. Both pieces were recovered from the ill-fated Atocha, which sank in 1622 during a hurricane that sank five of the 28-vessel Spanish fleet as it sailed homeward from Havana filled with the treasures of the new world: gold, silver and emeralds.
The morning would not have been complete without Dave Price engaging in a no-hands, face-first Key lime pie eating contest. We were all winners as the hilarity didn't stop when the clock had run its course. A face full of key lime pie was our intrepid correspondent's prize along with the gratitude of all who enjoyed the shenanigans.
Sharing in the fun were campers and counselors of Sea Camp, a residential summer science camp where 11- to 17-year-olds stay for three 18-day sessions. They offer 20–30 science classes depending on the number of campers enrolled. Also offered are scuba classes, wind surfing, sailing, arts and crafts and different creative expressions — this is a camp that practices conservation though education.
A special shout-out in recognition of service above and beyond goes to Charles Young, the General Manger of the Crown Plaza on Duval Street and Kevin Dempton, chief engineer, for making the entire endeavor possible. You see, without their help and ingenuity, I would not have been able to negotiate parking our 39-foot Winnebago within the confines of their parking lot. Likewise, thanks to the night manager of another IHG property, The Mulberry on East Bay Street in Savannah, Ga. Without the assistance of Mario Williams, I would have found myself in a similar situation.
Of course, a great big thanks to the good folks of Winnebago for making the 2008 Destination available to us for our nine-week journey around this great land of ours. Stay tuned as our "Great American Vacation" continues to surprise deserving folks with a luxurious island vacation of their dreams.
I left Manhattan on Friday, June 30, and have been to Richmond, Va.; Santee, S.C., Miami, Key West and Orlando, Fla., and Savannah, Ga., and I am sending this dispatch out from Florence, S.C. On Monday, it's on to Rodanthe, N.C., as we prepare for Thursday's vacation giveaway on July 12 from the Roanoke Island Festival Park on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Y'all come out and join us.