Heading home with a head full of ideas! ππ΄
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Hey Reader, Well, it's time to head north! π After a wonderful trip to Orlando, we're packing up and making our way home. And by next week, I should finally be back in my home office! I have to tell you, this has been such a great trip. Between the conference, spending time with family, and getting to enjoy a little Florida sunshine, it's been a pretty wonderful few weeks. And the conference? WOW. I learned SO much! I've been thinking about all the new things I want to try with Fun in Key West, from different ways to share stories and create content to making it even easier for you to explore Key West and the Florida Keys. I have notebooks full of ideas, conversations I want to follow up on, and a list of things I can't wait to start working on. Of course, there's that little detail of actually finding the time to do all of it. π But that's part of the fun! So buckle up and stay tuned. I have some exciting things planned, and I can't wait to share them with you. And now, back to a little Key West fun... π° What a Conversation with Jedwin Smith!Did you catch my interview with Jedwin Smith, author of our October Book Club pick, Fatal Treasure? Oh, what a conversation! I found his stories absolutely fascinating, and I could have listened to him talk about his adventures for hours. We talked about treasure hunting, Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and what it was really like to be part of that incredible search. But what I loved most were the stories behind the treasure. The people. The adventures. The moments when you realize that finding treasure isn't quite as simple as heading out with a map and an X marking the spot. π And Jedwin is such a wonderful storyteller! If you missed our conversation, no worries. I've put together a blog post with the interview and links so you can catch up whenever you have a little time. π π°π Come Hear Jedwin's Incredible Treasure-Hunting Stories!β Even if you haven't read Fatal Treasure, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation. π€Ώ This Thursday: Let's Go Underwater!I've got another fun conversation coming up this week! On Thursday, October 29, I'll be chatting with Jamie from The Underwater Gardener in Key West. And I'm really looking forward to learning more about this unique little place! You know how much I love discovering the people, places, and stories that make Key West so interesting. And this is one of those places I think deserves a closer look. So come join me, bring your questions, and let's learn something new together! π Thursday, October 29 β° 8 PM Eastern π Fun in Key West Facebook Page + YouTube π π±π΄ Join Me LIVE on Facebookβ π πΊπ€Ώ Watch LIVE on YouTubeβ And if you haven't already, make sure you're following the Facebook page and subscribed to YouTube so you don't miss our Thursday night conversations! βπ· Can I Buy You a Coffee?I've had a few people ask me lately how they can help support Fun in Key West. And honestly, I haven't had a very good answer! I love creating all of this, from digging into Key West history and sharing stories to recording podcasts, hosting live shows, and finding new places to explore. And I love that I get to share it all with you. So I thought... why not make it easy? If you've ever enjoyed a story, found a helpful tip, discovered a new place, or just had fun hanging out here, I've added a little way to leave a tip. Think of it as buying me a cup of coffee β or maybe a glass of wine π· while I work on the next Key West adventure.
Absolutely no pressure. Just another way to support what I'm creating here at Fun in Key West. And whether you leave a tip, share a post, watch a video, or simply open these emails, please know how much I appreciate you. You're a big part of what makes this so much fun. β€οΈπ΄ π§ Last Week's TriviaLast week I asked: π What did Mel Fisher raise before becoming a treasure hunter? The answer was... CHICKENS! ππ°π΄ Yep! Before Mel Fisher became famous for finding sunken treasure, he was raising chickens. And considering how many chickens and roosters wander around Key West today, I think that's a pretty fitting beginning to his story. π But here's something you might not know... Mel and his family operated a chicken ranch in California, and he actually started his early diving business in a shed on the property! From a chicken ranch to the bottom of the ocean. Now THAT is quite the career change! And what a career it became. On July 20, 1985, after years of searching, Mel and his team discovered the main wreck site of the Spanish galleon Nuestra SeΓ±ora de Atocha. The ship had sunk in 1622, carrying an incredible cargo of gold, silver, emeralds, and other treasures. And those treasures had been sitting beneath the water for more than 350 years! Mel was famous for saying, "Today's the day!" And on July 20, 1985... It really was the day. π°π I love stories like this because you just never know where someone's journey is going to take them. From raising chickens to finding one of the most famous shipwreck treasures in history. Only in Key West could I find a way to connect chickens, shipwrecks, and millions of dollars in treasure. ππ΄ β This Week's TriviaOkay, let's head to the movies for this week's question! π¬π΄ Long before Key West became famous for sunsets, key lime pie, and Duval Street, the island was known for something quite different... Shipwrecks! And the wrecking industry was such a big part of Key West's history that Hollywood even made a movie about it. So here's your question... π¬ What 1942 movie starring John Wayne dramatized the wrecking industry in the Florida Keys? Think you know? Hit reply with your answer and you'll get another entry into this month's Fun in Key West Swag Box drawing! ππ΄ And here's a bonus question just for fun... Have you ever seen the movie? I love finding these little connections between Hollywood and Key West history! π΄π₯ π΄ Until Next Week...Well, it's back to the road for me. I'm looking forward to getting home, settling back into my office, and starting to put some of these new ideas into action. And I really do appreciate you being along for the ride. Whether you're here for the history, the food, the books, the videos, or simply because Key West has a special place in your heart, thank you for being part of this little community. There's so much more I want to share, and I can't wait to see where we go next. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a car to pack, a road trip ahead, and approximately 472 new ideas waiting for me when I get home. π Talk soon! βοΈπ Michele Chief Rooster Wrangler | Island Story Collector | Heading home with more ideas than hours in the day ππ΄
Check out the Fun in Key West Book Club - Every month we read a book with a Key West connection... learn more and sign up (it's free) here!β Ready to plan your escape? Or next adventure? Check us out at... βOut A Here Travel.β |