NBC “Today” weatherman Al Roker, left, shows a Conch Republic flag during a special broadcast Tuesday, July 28, 2009, from Key West, Fla., with anchor Matt Lauer, right. The show from was a facet of the “Today Takes a Vacation” series to explore domestic travel destinations in a tight economy. The Florida Keys is also known as the Conch Republic. Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau