Hemingway's Bed

By Debra J. Rigas

In this short story, Ernest Hemingway sails on.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Debra J. Rigas
• Release date: Feb 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458067906

Debra J. Rigas

Debra J. Rigas is the author of the book Everyone's A Guru. She is also an editor, filmmaker and writing coach. A well traveled world explorer, this writer has deep interest in and concern for humanity. Hundreds of her articles can be found online, others are in print. Please visit her website for full details, especially if you would like professional help for your books.

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HEMINGWAY’S BED

by

Debra J. Rigas

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Debra J. Rigas on Smashwords

Hemingway’s Bed

Copyright © 2011 Debra J. Rigas

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HEMINGWAY’S BED

Florida in January of 2010 saw record cold temperatures with lows of 37, 29, and even 14 degrees Fahrenheit. If I’d planned to make snowballs on Kilimanjaro, all that would have been acceptable. But I was seeking something more along the lines of The Garden of Eden.

Insufferable below-freezing nights for much of the month left the state with power outages, cable problems, and automobile breakdowns. Florida isn’t well prepared for a deep freeze, and I wasn’t exactly thrilled about being there to experience it. I had gone down to visit family and spent a month – from Tallahassee to Palm Beach, and St. Augustine to the Keys. Tropical birds ate from my hand. Manatees and sea turtles were rescued in lagoons.

I explored, ate well, and found a few little treasures, despite the relentless freeze that choked all the Gulf Coast states.

I thought since I was so far south, and might not be back again – at least anytime soon – wouldn’t it be nice to visit Key West. Maybe things would be warmer there, and besides it’s the southeastern most point of the contiguous United States.

I’d already hiked out the lush Cape Flattery Trail, several times in fact, to reach the northwestern most point. Slogged out over mud and cedar walkways, the roots of enormous evergreens tripping me up as I embraced the silence and the smell of skunk cabbage, to be met at last by breathtaking views of the seastacks, the rocky formations and waves crashing. Tatoosh Island must be the actual most northwestern part, but it’s an island, and to reach it requires a boat. I have sailed past it four times. So,