Key West - Dinghy management and an art opening

It's not nice to not pay for dinghy dockage!

There are many boats that anchor out at Key West and the city even provides free pumpout service but requires that you show proof of a pumpout within the last 14 days. I don't have a problem with that even though the resident fleet of boats at anchor is by no means responsible for any significant level of contamination. They are just an easy target, the city itself with storm sewers draining the land (think: all those chickens, dogs, cats, birds, etc.) is much more of a problem but much less satisfying than targeting boaters. When there's been no rain for awhile, the waters are nice and clear, even in the marina.

At any rate, there is a dinghy dock for boats at anchor but the charge is $6/day or $80/month. For that you get the use of the showers and laundry facilities in addition to the docks. Periodically the docks are "cleaned out" of dinghies that have no record of payment, today was such a day (see photo). They are all collected and tied to the office dock for keeping. Some of the dinghies only float because they have a hard bottom, the rest of the dinghy is deflated. Most are hard dinghies with lots of history etched into their sides. I guess some people have been here a long time!

The place was packed and very noisy, we'll go again Saturday when there's less of a crowd

Tonight there was a reception for two local artists and Ann wanted to go so we steered east and found the place but it was packed. It was a reception so they had free food, a real attraction in Key West!! We weren't interested in that, we had just eaten, but the noise of all the people was deafening. Time to leave! Over to BO's Fishwagon to listen to a few sets of Barry Cuda before returning to the boat. It's like a summer evening down here, light breezes and presently it's 76. There's another art presentation on Saturday that Ann wants to see so we'll head south on Duval Street for that in the afternoon. So many things to do, so little time...

Key West - Schooner Wharf and the Southern Drawl

The Appledore II out of Maine

After a morning of doing laundry (still gotta do that!) we devoted an afternoon of exploring the schooner wharf. There are about a 1/2 dozen schooners that go our for day sails from the wharf and some are famous in their own right. One spends the summers in Maine and comes down to Key West during the winter. If I were harbored in Maine I would want to come down to Key West too! It's the Appledore, a beautiful traditional schooner (a schooner has two or more masts with the foremost mast being shorter than the following masts). It was a workhorse when sails ruled the seas in trade routes.

Next to the Appledore is the Western Union, another schooner for day sailing. They usually have a crew on board playing the bandoneon. It's like a very compact accordion. Moving on down the line you come to American 2.0 which is a modern reproduction of a schooner that looks traditional but was built in Albany, NY in 2011. I hadn't realized that there was a major boat building center in Albany, who would have guessed! When underway by motor, it's electric powered.

The Southern Drawl Band - very energetic! 

After viewing the schooners and dinner, we took Hoolie for a walk and dropped by Schooner Wharf to see the Southern Drawl Band. They are a high powered, overly active group that got the patrons moving. We sat in the corner with Hoolie tied to our chair but there was a dog at the next table that Hoolie very much wanted to meet - but we kept the leash tight!  There is no cover charge at Schooner Wharf (nor at any of the local bars) but you are expected to buy a drink which we did. The band was good! So we retired at the ripe old time of 8:00 pm back to the boat to rest up for another day of adventure.

Key West - Sushi and the Green Parrot

The border patrol - 4 bad-ass engines - very slow speed through the harbor looking sinister

A trip to the nearest Publix solved our provisioning problem. We are now set for at least another three weeks. Although the temperature is only in the high 70's, the sun is very hot so we took along a soft cooler for the frozen stuff.

Our order preparation

For our Valentine dinner we chose to eat out at a local Japanese sushi restaurant with good reviews on Tripadvisor.They specialize in sushi but they have other dishes too. Of course, we both got the full sushi dinner. I had developed a taste for sushi from my many trips to Japan when working for IBM.  In Japan, the display of the sushi is just as important as the actual taste. The Ambrosia Restaurant didn't disappoint on that score and followed up with everything being fresh and tasty.

A work of art

While at the restaurant, we got an invite from Bill McKeever to meet him at the Green Parrot, a local bar with a special for the night - a ukulele get together. They had a display of ukuleles and a band that specialized in the instrument. With the arrival of Bill and Ruth, fun was had by all, Bill does know how to party. We had fun for awhile but we left at 9:00, real party poopers.

Oh well, we're home now (at the boat) and in for the night, it's not even 10:00 yet. We never claimed to ever close down a bar.

Ann and Ruth McKeever say hi!

Key West - Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center

The anchorage area opposite KW Bight is called the "Bowling Alley" due to all the boats that break loose and wreak havoc. 

We had intended going to see Fiona play at McConnell's but Fiona's son has a medical problem and so she will be away for the week. With that we hung out at the boat for most of the day and then ventured over to the Florida Eco-Discovery Center for a tour of the exhibits there.

Duval Street at night - activity everywhere!

There is no charge for seeing the exhibits although donations are encouraged. It is certainly a worthwhile visit with exhibits about the reefs and shallows nearby. They have a 30 minute film that's an excellent introduction to the natural wonders of the area. One of the highlights of the tour is the 3D film of snorkeling in the Gulf! The 3D format fits especially well  when snorkeling under water. As you move ahead, the fish seem to pass by on your shoulders, very realistic!

A typical creation by Ann, Parmesan Crusted Tilapia w/brown rice pilaf and snap peas

So, mainly, we sat out on the back of the boat with temperatures in the high 70's and a 10 to 15 knot breeze, very nice. Wednesday is our last day with the car and we'll provision and have a dinner out before returning the car Thursday morning. There's no rain in sight and temps are to remain in the high 70's, we'll do our best to take advantage of what nature has to offer down here.

(as to the photo of dinner - I'm a lucky man)

Key West - Nearby Streets

Heliconia, just a small shot of a huge plant

We often just take a walk along nearby streets. There are plantings that are just gorgeous and benefit from the tropical climate. You can also see some original designs in outdoor settings (see photo), never quite ever saw anything like that.

Some original thinking on the use of an old tub

Coming back we passed by a huge Heliconia plant that had a full blossom, right by the sidewalk. It's a treat to just watch and observe the scenery as you walk along. We also walked along Duval Street and Ann went through all the gallery shops. There is some real talent on display at Key West, especially at the Wyland Gallery. It is well worth the trip down Duval Street if you're ever in Key West.

Meanwhile, we're easing into the Key West routine which won't be complete until we return the rental car on Thursday. We plan on seeing Fiona at an Irish pub on Tuesday night and then have another night out at a well reviewed sushi restaurant on Wednesday, should be fun.

Key West - We visit the Key West Wildlife Center

The egret that owns the porch

Another day with a high of 78 with sunny skies. After our usual Sunday morning of pastries from the bakery, we looked over the Key West map for nature trails and found the Key West Wildlife Center. They specialize in rescuing birds and other animals that have suffered an injury and can no long survive in the wild. There is a large population of chickens that roam Key West freely but occasionally some suffers from an injury and they take them in. They also have herons, egrets, turkey vultures and even seagulls - all recuperating at the center. Once in the center, they never go back into the wild, they've become accustomed too much to human contact. They are placed on nearby farms for proper care.

Looks like an enchanted pond, see the great blue heron

They also have a few resident birds that remain wild. One in particular, an egret is pictured in the photo. He returns to the center every year for the past 10 years for the winter months before disappearing for 8 months or so during the summer and fall. He claims the porch of the center as his area and guards it from intrusion from any other egret!

There's a pond nearby on the property that's the home for a flock of birds. One of which is a great blue heron which looks like a very protected setting, and it is but it's in the middle of Key West with the beach road a few feet away.

We plan on shopping on Duval Street Monday when the crowds thin out a bit we hope.

Key West - day of photos on Duval

yep, Sloppy Joe's is still here, same as always

Same crowd inside too

Another perfect day in paradise, high of 78 with no rain and gentle breezes. Ann prepared her usual gourmet breakfast for a Saturday morning and then we headed out to explore what's changed since the last time we were at Key West. The first thing you notice is all the building going on. The highway (US1) coming into Key West is now two way (last year it was one way and you had to take back roads to go east) but it's still not fully completed. Most of he new sidewalks are done but the outbound lanes are just one lane wide instead of the usual two.

No change here either

Just remember this sign if you wander upstairs...

The beach area is unchanged but crowded as usual. We found a sushi restaurant we'll go to on Wednesday night down by the beach. Walking down Duval Street, we found Sloppy Joe's unchanged as well as many of the nearby haunts. You also notice the building and renovations along Duval Street too. Key West seems to be reviving compared to the last few years we've been here.

Nice view off the back of Fleetwing

Our view in the other direction - just a wonderful place

We had our dinner on the boat and walked over to Schooner Wharf to listen to their band for the weekend, the Paul Cotton Band. So we sat in the corner with Hoolie under the table tied with a short leash and listened to music under the stars (Schooner Wharf has no roof). Very enjoyable, warm breezes, etc. I think we'll do more of this.