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A Hemingway Hater Visits His House in Key West
I came for the cats, I left inspired
Never go on trips with anyone you do not love. — Ernest Hemingway
On a scale of Hemingway haters to hearters my eldest daughter and I trend hate. On the other hand, historic houses are my jam. I can’t resist peeking into lives from the past.
“There isn’t much to do in Key West,” my daughter says. “Eat, drink, watch the sunset. That’s about it.”
“Exactly,” said her husband. “What’s not to like?” My girl married well.
“We could go to the Hemingway house?” Her voice tilts up as if surprised she’s even suggesting it.
We sit in the shade, enjoying our Cuban coffees and breakfast sandwiches discussing plans for the day. We’d ticked sunset, key lime pie, and cocktails off the list the day before, so any adventures before heading back to the mainland are bonus.
“There’s also Truman’s Little White House,” she adds.
Wait, there was another US president whose name starts with “trum” who worked from home frequently enough they called his Florida digs a white house? This is the kind of mind blowing trivia travel exposes me to.
My husband is all in on visiting this trum- president’s house, not least, I imagine…