Key West 2013

What a week we had on the island! 

Our first time on any island, I believe.

We had a rather long travel day getting there; having to layover in Orlando for a bit.  What better way to start vacation, especially to Key West, than to start drinking, right?!?  Well, we thought so and that is what we did at the Orlando airport...about 10AM!  We had mini bottles of liquor that we drank like shots!  We were feeling very vacation-y!!

We arrived at our condo, but weren't able to "check-in" for a few more hours.  We were able to stow our bags and make a quick clothes change before hitting the streets!

We immediately made a beeline for Duval Street and did some walking while trying to decide where to stop for a bite to eat.  It was Pride weekend and there were vendors along a few blocks, where we received huge pink beads ... oh, and condoms (which we sent back with my mom to my sisters!!)  Eventually, we went to Amigos, which was recommended by a friend from the gym.  We probably made our first, of many, stops at The Bull, too!!

After returning to the condo to really freshen up, we headed back out to partake of the night life!  We went to the 801 Bourbon Bar where they were having a 90's flashback.  We spent the whole nite there drinking (using our trusty flask) and singing along with the tunes.  Coincidentally, our bartender that nite was Ms. Pride 2013 (we learned this the next day when seeing her on a float in the Pride Parade), who was dressed in pasties, thong and thigh-highs!  BOLD!

Sunday found us walking by the Southernmost Point (the red, white, black & yellow mile marker that says 90 miles to Cuba), but not stopping to take pics b/c my mom wanted us to wait for her arrival.  We headed east, to more beach area, and decided to eat lunch at the Southernmost Beach Cafe.  This will turn out to be our favorite restaurant the whole trip!  It's an open-air place and the food is fresh, tasty and reasonably priced (did I forget to mention that Key West is expensive!!).  I had some coupons for free key lime pie, so we used one and shared a piece!  Pretty delish!!

From lunch, we went to the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.  This place blew us away!  I had been to a butterfly exhibit at the Smithsonian a few years back, but it really didn't compare to this permanent museum!  There were so many and varied butterflies!  These blue ones were super active, too.  They almost never stopped and so were very hard to photograph.  There were some gorgeous and colorful birds, too.  Everywhere we turned, a butterfly or 5!  I kept pointing them out to Chris to photograph.  We had to watch where we stepped b/c they sometimes just plant themselves in the walkway!  We would have loved to take advantage of coming back later that day, you can do so for free, but we weren't going to be able to work it into our schedule because ...

The BIG deal of the day was the Pride Parade along 12 blocks of Duval Street beginning @ 5.  We got ourselves ready and walked up early to secure a spot, as we didn't know how crowded the parade route would be, and I got us right up front at Bourbon St Pub.  I was able to get glitter-bombed by the manager of 801 Bourbon Bar!!!  Awesome!!!  We also had our picture taken by the official parade photographer!  

After the parade, we meandered and found ourselves at Mallory Square.  We stopped at El Meson de Pepe, where we shared an appetizer of Cuban nachos!  Rather than tortilla chips, they serve plantains!  It was great...alongside ropa vieja and the normal nacho accoutrements!!! 

We then stuck around for sunset at Mallory Square.  Street performers & vendors galore!!

We weren't out too late on Sunday as I think our long, long day on Saturday (getting up at 2AM and being out until midnite) caught up to us! 

Up pretty early on Monday, we made our way to Ft. Zachary Taylor state park right before it opened at 8AM.  We walked around and on top of the old fort, which is very cool.  We love historical stuff like that!!  We then made our way over to the beach...our first walk along the waters of Key West.  It's pretty rocky and going into the water would probably require aqua socks, but it is very beautiful.  With your paid admission, you can come and go all day until sunset!

We walked back to the condo to shower and then walked just a block or so south of our condo to have a late breakfast at Blue Heaven.  There was a bit of a wait, but we were able to look around the gift shop and then seat ourselves in front of the small stage to listen to Queen Catherine & Mike.  I didn't sit for long, tho, as Queen asked if I would hold her cell phone to capture video that she was going to upload to YouTube (this would turn out to be the 1st of 2 times I "worked" while on vacation!!).  We both enjoyed the Rooster Special breakfast.  (Altho, we didn't know we would each be charged $1.60 for syrup!!  Seriously, who charges for syrup?!)  This little bohemian hideaway is one of those "must-see" places.  In a former life, it once was a bordello ~~ you can still go up to the 2nd floor to see the rooms, complete with the peep holes on the doors, and a small stage, plus view the balcony from where the ladies of the nite would have "hawked their wares" to the passersby!  This area must be used for dining during bad weather or, perhaps, you can rent it. 

We then walked to the Lighthouse and Ernest Hemingway's house (didn't take the tours, tho) before heading to the cemetery (of course!).  It was a decent walk, especially in the hot, hot sun!  We walked around and got some pics of some pretty interesting structures and tombstones, but couldn't stand baking any longer, so we started the walk back . 

We treated ourselves to a stop in a small pub, Krawl off Duval, because they served craft beers (my favorite).  It was a perfect respite: A/C, cold drinks and seats!!!  Got to chat up the bartender, a young-ish guy who stays here & there for a couple years.  He had lived in SoCal a couple years, got bored, moved to Boston for a couple more, got bored, and was now in Key West.  He came from Michigan!!! 

We spent the evening at Ft. Zachary Taylor to watch the sunset.  I believe it was the best one all week!  We watched the sunset cruise sailboats pass by, along with the big Coast Guard ship.  I laid on a beach towel and rested to the calming sounds of the ocean.  Chris took lots of pics while I sort of napped.  AND...a wedding was in place for sunset, so we were able to listen the entire couple of hours to my favorite musical insturment ~ the steel drum!!  It couldn't have been more magical!!! 

At some point during these first few days, on a recommendation from Chris's sister, Natalie, we visited Alonzo's Oyster Bar for happy hour!  We were able to snag an outside table to enjoy our half price drinks & food!  Yes!  The buffalo shrimp, fried calamari and conch fritters were superb!  Our tropical drinks weren't too shabby, either!  All in all, they were a perfect meal!  We knew we would be coming back with my mom!!!

Whew....more tomorrow!