Episodes

  • Key West's Hidden WWII Submarine Base, Sonar School, and the Truman Annex

    Key West's Hidden WWII Submarine Base, Sonar School, and the Truman Annex
    Apr 26 2026
    Fun Fact Friday: Key West's Hidden WWII Submarine Base, Sonar School, and the Truman Annex Host Michele O'Connor introduces a "Fun Fact Friday" episode focused on Historic Marker #57 near the Outer Mole and the US Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Museum area, explaining how today's calm Truman Annex was once a major WWII submarine hub. She describes the site's evolution from the 1845 Fort Zachary Taylor Army installation to Navy control, the construction of five metal finger docks for submarines, and Key West's wartime role countering German U-boats that sank thousands of ships, including nearly 50 off Florida in 1942. Key West submarines escorted supply convoys and helped support the Pacific War, while the Fleet Sonar School relocated there in 1940, training thousands in sonar. The base was designated in 1946, became obsolete with nuclear submarines, and was decommissioned in 1974, later transforming into today's parks, amphitheater, cruise-ship pier, and tourist area. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Episode teaser WWII waters 02:50 Fun Fact Friday kickoff 03:51 Marker 57 location today 05:17 Base origins and docks 07:12 U-boats off Florida 08:42 Key West wartime missions 10:08 Sonar school revolution 11:22 Decommission to Truman Annex 13:09 Questions and reflections 14:29 Live comments and travel tips 17:25 Final recap and subscribe
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    19 mins
  • Mile Marker Zero: William McKeen on Key West's Wild 1970s Creative Scene

    Mile Marker Zero: William McKeen on Key West's Wild 1970s Creative Scene
    Apr 18 2026
    Mile Marker Zero: William McKeen on Key West's Wild 1970s Creative Scene Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and welcomes William McKeen, Boston University journalism professor and author of Mile Marker Zero, to discuss 1970s Key West and the artists, writers, musicians, and actors drawn to its cheap, funky, under-the-radar culture. McKeen explains his drive as a lifelong storyteller, how Tom Corcoran (author of The Mango Opera) inspired and enabled the book after sharing a final Hunter S. Thompson message about documenting the "missing" Key West years, and why Corcoran became the narrative gateway linking figures like Thomas McGuane, Jim Harrison, Russell Chatham, Jimmy Buffett. They discuss balancing revelry with serious creative work, editing out some raunchier material (with extras on McKeen's website), Key West's sensory pull and rising costs, and the book's themes of friendship, survival, and tragedy, including Corcoran's missing wife. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Episode teaser and guest 02:12 Podcast theme and intro 03:10 Meet author William McKean 04:40 Addicted to storytelling 07:24 Hunter Thompson voicemail 10:45 Writing Mile Marker Zero 11:59 Keeping the art focus 14:57 Why Key West drew artists 17:49 Then vs now costs 22:29 Structuring the big cast 26:17 Cut scenes and bonus tales 28:23 Wild stories reaction 28:49 Wild Key West Tales 29:36 Why Editors Matter 32:04 Sex Drugs and Context 33:24 Keeping Key West Lit 35:34 Writing With Senses 38:25 Friendship and Survival 41:34 Paradise With a Price 45:39 Can Creativity Return 48:11 Coffee Dinner and Favorites 50:52 Key West State of Mind 53:27 Final Thanks and Signoff https://www.williammckeen.com/ https://funinkeywest.com/fun-in-key-west-book-club/
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    55 mins
  • Mouth-Numbing Relaxation Without the Hangover (with Kalm with Kava CEO Morgan Smith)

    Mouth-Numbing Relaxation Without the Hangover (with Kalm with Kava CEO Morgan Smith)
    Apr 18 2026
    Mouth-Numbing Relaxation Without the Hangover (with Kalm with Kava CEO Morgan Smith) Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast as an insider guide to Key West food, drinks, events, and local guests, then interviews Morgan Smith, CEO of Kalm with Kava, about kava as a non-alcoholic alternative. Morgan shares how, after negative experiences with benzodiazepines and avoiding dependency, he found kava's relaxing, euphoric effects without hangovers or physical addiction and later took over his late friend Mike's kava company, expanding a Hawaii farm from 100 to about 15,000 plants. They explain kava's 3,000-year South Pacific cultural role, preparation as a root tea, expected mouth numbness and relaxation from key kavalactones, differences among noble vs "two-day" kavas, sourcing by region (Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga/Hawaii), bar ordering basics, ethical sourcing, market demand, and beginner advice to start with a sampler pack. 00:00 Welcome to Key West 01:26 Meet Morgan and Kava 05:19 Morgan's Origin Story 11:11 What Kava Actually Is 15:22 How It Feels 17:10 First Time Tips 19:37 Kava vs Alcohol 23:12 What Kava Is Not 26:40 Noble vs Two Day 29:24 Nighttime Kava Choices 30:40 Kava Cultures Compared 32:55 Farming Cycles and Shortages 34:14 Island Mindset on Money 36:53 Why Kava Demand Surged 38:58 Ethical Sourcing Matters 41:20 Beginner Kava Roadmap 43:38 Ordering at Kava Bars 45:33 Kava History and Migration 49:18 Botany and Plant Varieties 52:01 Personal Wind Down Ritual 52:59 Hawaiian Harvest Plans 54:38 Alternatives and Farewell 57:24 Final Wrap and Subscribe https://kalmwithkava.com/
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    58 mins
  • Historic Marker Monday: The Forgotten Key West Salt Ponds

    Historic Marker Monday: The Forgotten Key West Salt Ponds
    Apr 18 2026
    Historic Marker Monday: The Forgotten Key West Salt Ponds Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and, for Historic Marker Monday, explores Key West's largely forgotten 1800s salt-pond industry, when salt was essential for preserving food and enabling trade before refrigeration. Wealthy businessman and shipwreck-auctioneer Richard Fitzpatrick bought about 100 acres of southeast-end wetlands in 1830, built coral-walled drying pans with floodgates, and produced salt through tidal seawater and sun-driven evaporation, yielding typically 15,000–25,000 bushels annually and once 75,000. The venture was highly weather-dependent; Fitzpatrick left after about four years, though others continued until the Civil War disrupted production, which later resumed. A devastating 1876 hurricane washed away 15,000 bushels and effectively ended the industry. The historic marker stands at 2100 Flagler Avenue by Key West High School. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Key West's Forgotten Gold 03:28 Historic Marker Monday Setup 04:45 Why Salt Mattered 06:27 Fitzpatrick Builds Salt Ponds 07:42 How Salt Was Made 09:42 Profit and Weather Risks 13:17 Civil War and Comeback 14:20 Hurricane Ends the Industry 15:08 Marker Location Today 16:07 Why This History Matters 17:29 Where to Learn More 18:47 Final Toast and Subscribe
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    20 mins
  • Why Are There So Many Roosters in Key West? The Wild, Historic Story

    Why Are There So Many Roosters in Key West? The Wild, Historic Story
    Apr 12 2026
    Why Are There So Many Roosters in Key West? The Wild, Historic Story Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast as an insider guide to where to eat, drink, stay, and what to do in Key West, with updates on festivals and guests such as locals and business owners. This episode answers a frequent visitor question: why roosters and chickens roam Key West. She explains they're descended from birds kept by early settlers for eggs and meat, later added by Cuban immigrants, and tied in part to cockfighting; when cockfighting was outlawed and backyard chickens were less needed, many birds were released, creating today's feral population. The warm climate, few predators, and easy access to food help them thrive, though feeding is discouraged and can bring fines. She describes a local love-hate relationship and notes the city and the Key West Wildlife Center have humanely managed the issue by rescuing, trapping, and relocating over 15,000 birds to mainland free-range properties. 00:00 Welcome to Key West 01:28 Rooster Question Setup 01:56 Podcast Theme Song 02:45 Why So Many Roosters 04:39 Roosters Everywhere 06:22 Origins and History 08:12 Why They Thrive 09:18 Love Hate Reality 10:44 City Management Efforts 12:58 Wildlife Center Relocation 14:28 Why Locals Still Love Them 15:48 Myths vs Facts 17:33 Wrap Up and Subscribe 18:26 Final Outro www.funinkeywest.com
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    19 mins
  • Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What "Cheap" Really Means)

    Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What "Cheap" Really Means)
    Apr 12 2026
    Cheapest Places to Live in the Florida Keys (and What "Cheap" Really Means) Host Michele O'Connor answers questions about what it really takes to live in the Florida Keys, emphasizing that "cheap" is relative and the Keys are expensive compared to national averages. She outlines factors beyond listing price—rent, property taxes, insurance (including flood), maintenance from salt air, storm prep, commute, home condition, and lifestyle goals—then compares areas often discussed for budget-conscious moves: Big Pine Key for a quieter, nature-focused lower-Keys lifestyle with fewer conveniences; Tavernier as an overlooked upper-Keys option with easier mainland access; Marathon as a centrally located middle-Keys choice with wide price variation by neighborhood and property type; Key Largo as convenient but usually pricier; Key West as iconic but typically among the most expensive; and Stock Island as a potentially more realistic alternative near Key West. She encourages realistic expectations, research, and choosing best value and fit. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Episode Topic Living in the Keys 03:53 Setting Realistic Cost Expectations 08:10 What Affordable Really Means 10:39 Big Pine Key Nature and Value 12:32 Tavernier Upper Keys Option 14:26 Key Largo Convenience Costs More 16:02 Marathon Middle Keys Balance 18:10 Key West and Stock Island Alternatives 22:31 Hidden Costs and Smart Planning 24:23 Quick Shortlist and Takeaways 26:58 Wrap Up Resources and Goodbye 28:33 Final Encouragement and Call to Action www.funinkeywest.com
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    29 mins
  • Key West in April: Conch Republic Days, Markets, Music & Travel Tips

    Key West in April: Conch Republic Days, Markets, Music & Travel Tips
    Apr 6 2026
    Key West in April: Conch Republic Days, Markets, Music & Travel Tips Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Wandering Wednesday episode focused on visiting Key West in April, highlighting ideal weather, outdoor activities, and a packed events calendar. She points listeners to funinkeywest.com for the event calendar and notes schedules can change. Major April highlights include Conch Republic Independence Days with opening ceremonies, a street fair, the Cow Key 0K, a Mallory Square sea battle with stale Cuban bread, parades, and parties; plus art walks (Walk on White), farmers markets, Comedy Key West shows, jazz events, Glow Hour at the Studios rooftop, and Howard Livingston at the Tennessee Williams Theater. She advises booking Dry Tortugas (Yankee Freedom) well in advance, planning around the April 11 Seven Mile Bridge Run road closure, and booking lodging early for big events like Conch Republic Days and the late April/early May Songwriters Festival, with packing and transportation tips for crowds and parking. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 April Trip Preview 02:41 Wandering Wednesday Kickoff 04:09 Why April Works 07:15 Dry Tortugas Planning 08:22 April Weather Snapshot 09:16 Conch Republic Days 11:50 More April Events 14:17 Travel Styles and Tips 16:30 Packing and Getting Around 18:06 Wrap Up and Community www.funinkeywest.com
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    21 mins
  • Key West Trip Recap: Coconut Beach Resort, Hidden Gem Cocktail & Cooking Classes, and Local Favorites

    Key West Trip Recap: Coconut Beach Resort, Hidden Gem Cocktail & Cooking Classes, and Local Favorites
    Apr 6 2026
    Key West Trip Recap: Coconut Beach Resort, Hidden Gem Cocktail & Cooking Classes, and Local Favorites Host Michele O'Connor and her husband Kevin from Out A Here Travel recap a quick Key West trip, sharing planning tips like booking direct flights into the new Key West airport and using Lyft over taxis. They review staying at the quiet, no-frills Coconut Beach Resort (a timeshare where third-party bookings may require switching rooms) and highlight meals and drinks at Flaming Buoy Filet Company, Conch Republic, Miso Happy, Sloppy Joe's, Green Parrot, Bali Bar, and the Tipsy Rooster. Key stops include Mallory Square sunset viewing tips amid seawall repairs, Key West Candle & Bath Company, Island Bookstore's Fun in Key West book club display, the San Carlos Institute, the Shipwreck Museum tower, and Doing Work Coffee. They praise the Key West Cooking Show's cocktail class and lunch cooking show featuring Cuban dishes and Italian-meringue key lime pie, plus note seasonal orchids, a temporary Southernmost Buoy replica, and rising airfare costs. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Trip Recap Kickoff 03:18 Flights and New Airport 05:07 Coconut Beach Resort Stay 09:38 Flaming Buoy Supper Club 12:13 Mallory Square Sunset Tips 15:01 Local Shops and Book Club 17:47 Conch Republic Fish Sandwich 18:58 Cocktail Class Hidden Gem 25:20 Miso Happy Outdoor Seating 26:09 San Carlos Cuban History 27:22 Cooking Show and Key Lime Pie 32:56 Rotating Menu Tips 33:18 Shipwreck Museum Tower 34:06 Wrecking History Gold 35:36 Cooking Show Swag 37:01 Wrecker Towers Explained 38:23 Favorite Bars Debate 42:03 Doing Work Coffee Stop 45:06 Duval Street Changes 46:05 Trip Recap Resources 47:37 Orchid Season Photos 52:20 Airport Rides Savings 54:03 Travel Prices Advice 56:52 Final Thanks Farewell www.outaheretravel.com www.funinkeywest.com
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    1 hr and 2 mins