In 1977 I made a weekend trip to Key West with a friend from New Zealand. Nigel was used to Youth Hosteling, but I had never had the experience. The girls’ dorm at the hostel looked just like a cabin at camp and I had to do chores but for $2.00 per night, it was worth it. I had no roomie, so I only needed to make my bed, sweep the floor, and make sure the bathroom was clean. It was a good deal!

I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Trips with friends are always more fun. Visited Ernest Hemingway’s home, walked the boardwalk and went for a swim. In the process, I learned that Key West had no beach in the early days of settlement, it was built with sand imported from Cuba. I also learned Key West calls itself The Conch Republic - beautiful shells which sound like the ocean when held to your ear, but a little too rubbery for me although conch tasted wonderful. And Key West is known for gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, both of which we enjoyed on the beach or boardwalk accompanied by some of the descendants of Ernest Hemingway’s six-toed cat, Snow White. The trip was wonderful!

The background is paper 10 in Hard Light mode over paper 18. The clipping mask was made from various elements from the kit and a grunge brush.