When we moved to Florida in 2000, we always planned on making the trek to Key West. We finally made it down south!
Not only did we make it, but we seemed to do it the right way. Instead of driving over 6-hours through the traffic of Miami-Dade area, we hopped on a plane that took just a little over an hour to get to our vacation destination! Our friends Ian and Gina met us at the airport and we got a trouble-free VIP-ride to the fabulous Pier House Resort on Duval Street, the center of all the action. Soon after arrival and unpacking, we fulfilled Amy's goal of boating in the beautiful clear waters on an all-inclusive sunset cruise. Although the weather was a little chilled and the sunset was hidden behind a few clouds, we had a fabulous trip around the islands of Key West.
After getting back on land, we had to find out for ourselves what Duval Street was all about. We found out very quickly it is about drinking, more drinking, and of course, people-watching. We visited many of the typical Bars and Saloons: Hog's Breath for Live Entertainment, Smallest Bar for Key Lime Pie Shots, Irish Kevin's for Guinness, Whistle Bar for the view of the Street the best place to people-watch, Margaritaville for dinner, and Willie T's for our favorite spot to tip the walls with our signatures.
The next day we woke up and made the short trip to our fine, on-site restaurant to fill our bellies with breakfast by the water and the food was just as delicious as the views.
This Sunday Funday was all about Dante's. We spent the final day of Hurricane Season celebrating making it through yet another season unscathed by sipping Hurricane Drinks (amongst other adults beverages) by the only bar in town with a relaxing pool and an excellent view of the harbor.
After a day in the sun, we got back to the room to change for our night back in the activities of Duval (mentioned previously). We found a place to catch the Steelers game near Rick's Bar. Our old friends we met at the airport bar the day before suddenly showed up, paid for many rounds, and acquainted us with the family history of all with a common question of, "How many kids you got?" After a disappointing loss in the game, we decided to cheer ourselves up with more libations in more bars.
The next day was used to shop, get tattoos, and do all the touristy stuff. More to come on the tattoos, but we made it all the way across town on Duval to the "Southernmost Point" on the island. We braved the long line and rewarded ourselves with a drink at the bar of the same name, but needed help getting back closer to home.
The easiest way to get back was to summon a rickshaw, which we had never done and were surprised at how delightful the sightseeing trip was on our way back. Of course, a trip to Key West is not complete until you visit Sloppy Joe's. This is exactly where our rickshaw drivers dropped us off. We enjoyed lunch and entertainment as we rested our weary legs from our earlier travels by foot.
The rest of the evening/night was more of the same...drinks, drinks, and more drinks. This was only paused by the search for the perfect, buttery-soft sweatshirt or as it was soon called, "horse-tail hair sweatshirt" often substituted by many other "animals'-hair" inserted in, as needed. As the night finished up and the search was completed, so was the final evening in town.
The next morning we woke, packed, and got some breakfast before our long trip across many Keys back to the mainland. Many thanks to our tour guides and friends, Ian and Gina for planning the trip and many of the activities. But most of all, thanks for the vehicle to shuttle us around and back to our final destinations (after dropping Dan off at the ultra-confusing Miami Airport). We can't wait for our next trip!
