I See that the 'Conch Republic' is deep in its own little headspace

*Can't knock 'em for gutsy. Crazy and drenched, but, well, gutsy.

*I know the inhabitants of bohemian Key West were supposed to flee to safety, which obviously would have been sensible, but given that this is Florida, to where were they supposed to flee? A nice big safe sports stadium somewhere in Miami, maybe? Oooh boy.

Monday, October 24; Posted 9:45 a.m. ET

From Kareen Wynter, Key West, Florida

Just three hours after Wilma made landfall, Key West residents are already flocking to downtown Duval Street to survey the damage.

Many locals are casually strolling with cups of coffee in their hands. Others have cameras and are capturing some of Wilma's destruction. (((There needs to be a name for this kind of insouciant post-storm behavior – 'I'm headin' out to blog the catastrophe now, Ma; you watch that downed power line, y'hear?')))

CNN hurricane blog:

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/10/24/blog.mon/

Journalists safely trolling around in Hurricane One, the special CNN armored storm vehicle.... One wonders if they roll down their windows to chat with looters