THE SUNSET PARTY IN KEY WEST

Finally, as promised, here are a few “sunset” photos from Key West. [After two days, this post will be dated so that it will move down and take its place in order with the other Key West posts.]

The sunsets are spectacular in Key West and crowds gather each night at Mallory Square as if the sun were a magnet drawing them against their will. Sword swallowers, fire-eaters, jugglers, magicians, and one-man bands all frantically vie for the crowd’s extra change, because they know as soon as the sun sets, the crowd disperses back toward Duval and Whitehead Streets (and side streets along the way) to begin the “Duval Crawl” toward the sunrise!

A sunset cruise, on one of the boats like offered by Fury or Southernmost Sailing is a perfect way to get out on the water and even become part of hundreds of tourist sunset photos! Usually there is wine, beer, and champagne included in the price of the 2-hour tours.

When the sun gets low where you live, just think about the party that is just beginning in Key West every night!

BACK FROM THE CONCH REPUBLIC – PART TWO

Mr. and Ms. Mushy had a ball in Key West, from the day trip in the rented convertible, from which Ms. Mushy would occassionally let out an “East Tennessee War Hoot” and scare the wildlife (she flushed a Key Deer at least once), to the sunset cruise and free music, horsedovaries with suds, wine, and/or margirettas!

Mushy and two of the other “Knights” (see Part One) can be seen in the background, almost lost in the daylight streaming in through the open windows of The Green Parrot. You don’t find too many doors, screens, or air conditioning in the famous bars, or restaurants for that matter, of Duval Street, or on any other street for that matter. As a matter of fact, you might find a rooster, hen with chicks, or a cat laying under your table.

You don’t need windows when you aren’t bothered by bugs…don’t remember seeing one mosequito or gnat the whole trip, well, except for when we got back to Atlanta.

The hour we got to spend there was almost worth the whole trip. If you can’t sit back and relax here, you might as well not look for another bar. There was only one waitress when we were there, but I’ve never seen another gal work one as hard. All the bar stools, somewhere between 40 and 50 were full, and a couple of the tables and wall seats were occupied, but she knew who was next, what they had been drinking and never let a glass or bottle go dry. The “tip bell” rang several times, which is the sign of happy customers!

I’ve never had the pleasure of being there at night with the music going, but I’d would bet no one goes away grumbling about bad service. Besides, “snivelling ain’t allowed” even if you wanted to complain! Oh yeah, No Credit Cards are allowed either.

We visited Sloppy Joe’s twice, more because it was centrally located and had live entertainment day and night. Here are two shots, one with the Dragons and three of the Knights, and another taken by a Dragon of all the Knights! You’ll notice we sat a different tables, so each table could flirt all they wanted and more than the waitresses wanted.

Yep, you have to pace yourself on this kind of vacation, otherwise, you’ll end up in a restroom with somebody photographing all your business! It’s a lonely feeling to be first – right Ron?

Okay…I ran on and out of room again, so one more with sunset shots next! Just for Bozette!