Key West

Found the bus schedule and where it would pick us up and took the “blue” bus into Key West. Fascinating little town, we did most of our wandering in old town down by Mallory Square. Had to make our stop at Kinos today, so we could get all the Kino sandels that we had to buy to fill requests (and of course Lisa needed a pair). Walked around Mallory Square but didn’t stay, it was cloudy and not very many people there. We had a wonderful cheese and fruit plate at Island Dogs Bar.
The liquor laws here allow you to carry out your drinks, just get it in plastic and carry it with you, so we stopped several times to try different beers and “umbrella” drinks. Also went in to the Key West Winery and tried several fruit wines. They only have one grape wine, which is based on the muscadine grape, so I didn’t try it. Bought a bottle of Coco Polada, coconut flavored of course. They ship to Michigan, so if we need more we can get it. The clerk kept looking at my shirt, I had on one of my Hat Trick t-shirts from the One Trick Pony, and after we talked, I found out she was born in Hastings and moved downtown by Diamond and Michigan Sts and was very familiar with the One Trick! Small world for sure!
Lisa did some more shopping along Duval St, we stopped at Ricks for a beer and some coconut drink that came with a cute Easter Island head shaped cup. Free chips and salsa in a heated popcorn popper dispenser, nice treat. Finally caught the 9:00 pm bus back to Boyds Campground, cost $1 for Lisa, $0.50 for me being a senior you know :-)
Thursday we eased up in the morning, lazed around til 10:30 then bused it back in to Key West. Got off at the other end this time, and walked toward old town, just planning on stopping if something caught our eye. Went through the Hemingway house, lots of history there, walked through the Lighthouse grounds, but didn’t want to pay the $10 to walk up the tower. Enjoyed a nice walk making our way down Duval St back to old town, finally stopping at Caroline’s for lunch. It was recommended by Pat and Julie, and after eating there I can see why. Very good food, and reasonably priced (for Key West). I had the conch fritters and a southwest salad, and couldn’t eat it all. Lisa had the quesidias and had the same problem.
Found our way to Mallory Square for the sunset party tonight, the weather being much better. Enjoyed the buskers, sword swallower, fire breathers, bed of nails guy, and all the artists. Of course the “guy with the cats” was there, and I got some nice sunset photos. Had the caricature artist draw one for me, did pretty good. Glad we were here today, made for a nice weather day for our exploration of Key West. Our nightlife was spent at Sloppy Joe’s, of course made famous by it’s Hemingway connection, but we were here for the “Put-In-Bay”connection. Pat Daley is playing here each weekend, so we stayed for the show. Lots of Put-in-Bay people here, they even have a Put-in-Bay festival weekend t-shirt for sale, but was sold out so I couldn’t get one. Lots of Ohio people in town today, even walking down the street we were hearing the “O-H-I-O” being yelled out from the bars. Paul and Peg would be in seventh heaven!
Took the bus back after the show, and in the morning we got ready to leave and head back to Key Largo.

More later…………….