Twenty-four years ago, on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, my boyfriend and I left our home in central Florida, drove all night, and arrived at the end of U.S. Highway 1 just as the sun rose.

Key West resident Steve Smith, who has enjoyed the island's magic for more than 20 years, will share insights and adventures with blog readers.

Putting the top down on our car, I wondered what I smelled in the air. It was like a blend of flower blossoms and fresh fruit — sweet, delicious, but hard to identify. Later I discovered that it was a combination of frangipani, mangoes, and royal Poinciana blossoms.

Had I, a fourth-generation Floridian who had never been farther south than Islamorada, discovered a paradise? Well, six months later, with the help of my parents, we loaded a huge rental van and I drove to the island city I would call my home.

Now, 23 and one-half years later, I am just as much in love with Key West as I was that first day. Bicycling to my office I see the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the most delightful mixture of locals and visitors one could ever imagine.

Inga, an elegant "ambassador" for the funky and fabulous island of Key West, sports some delicious rainbow finery.

How does a person define where he or she lives? Over the years I have had rich conversations with men and women who have made Key West their escape for decades. The common denominator they’ve found is the easy welcoming lifestyle, being on an island far away from the real world, and being welcome everywhere they go.

What makes this island so intoxicating? I will try to share my thoughts with you as we travel together. There is magic here … the same magic that was here in the 70’s, the 80’s and the 90’s remains today. This is a place where it does not matter who or what you are, where you live or work, or who you sleep with.

I’m a lucky guy. My job takes me across the world promoting Key West to the LGBT market, encouraging gay men and women to visit our island, enjoy our hospitality, make new friends, and plan their next visit to our little piece of paradise.

I’m the ultimate brochure fairy — I fly all over the world telling my new friends how special our island is and how important it is to visit us.

Traveling with Steve, readers will discover the offbeat magic that characterizes Key West.

Recently I was at San Diego Pride, held in Balboa Park. What a great group of California and Arizona people I met. (Yes, Arizona — they say San Diego is Phoenix’s beach!?! Who would have known?)

I do my best to share my experiences with gay men and women around the world. Now I will be sharing my stories with you, the readers of our blog. Join me in my journeys and you can be part of the magic that makes Key West so special.

Next time I write you, I want to tell you about Bone Island Bare It All weekend, Market Days in Chicago and the upcoming fun events in Key West, my home — and I hope, soon to be your home away from home.                      – Steve