Sunk, Almost

I saw tow trucks removing some barnacle encrusted boats from Boca Chica Bay recently. It costs hundreds of thousands to dispose of abandoned wrecks as fiberglass can't be easily recycled and is indestructible. Boating often loses it's glamor after a while and owners who thought they were sailors give up and walk away leaving the boats to fend for themselves which they don't do very well at all.


Oops, here's another one in Cow Key Channel this time.




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Alabama Jacks

Card Sound is an idea more than a reality, as there is nothing the at all except a restaurant and a toll booth on Card Sound Road designed to pay for the tall bridge sweeping gracefully over the waters of...Card Sound.

This is downtown Card Sound, a bar on a canal.



I took a stool canal side and admired the fish in the green soupy water.

Alabama Jacks is a funky Keys restaurant just inside the Monroe County line so here you are technically lunching in The Fabulous Florida Keys.

For a lot of visitors fresh off a jet plane this is a first stop on the their drive to Paradise. You can see why.

This place is friendly and funky and cultivates the Florida Keys image of laid back tropical fun.

Beer and sunshine and sparkly salt water is what the doctor ordered for a stressed out Northerner.

The Keys do not bring out the best in some people in public. "Hornymoon"? Really? Well, Billy and Joy Hardy I hope it went well for you and was properly memorable. Your defaced currency is still on display for all to see.

My food came promptly enough. fried is the order the day here and they have a mixed plate for two which I might have liked. As it was I ordered conch fritters, onion rings and fish bites and took some home as I over ordered anyway.

A quick photo opportunity on your way out to the ample parking lot.

And for day trippers from Miami it's time to head north. For bridge anglers and Keys vacationers it's time to fork over a dollar and cross the bridge.

Much more fun than taking the free 18 mile stretch to Key Largo on Highway One.

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Overload Of The XXX Olympiad

I have had enough of sports to last me well beyond the next four years. From imgur, the picture sharing site which is irreverent inexcusably vulgar and terribly funny this fine moment captured forever:

One has to respect the effort and energy expended in all these more or less non violent activities, but I will be so glad when we can put these sporting efforts behind us and get on with real life. One more week to go.The Koreas shaking hands. The Olympics weren't totally wasted then. Cool.

Tropical Vacation Memories

I overheard a tourist tell his girlfriend that Key West is the only place on the planet where drunkeness at eight in the morning is not only permitted it's encouraged! Cool.

The public face of alcoholism is an elderly man clutching a pink cab lest he fall flat on his face on Petronia Street. After I came out of the theater near midnight I saw a woman supporting a staggering man who collapsed against a wall next to me, where he pissed himself copiously through his shorts. "I'm not normally like this," he muttered. "Key West has that effect," I replied as I supported his other arm and tried to avoid the waterfall.

For those that look there is so much more to this little town. The San Carlos, property claimed by the Cuban Government as a former consulate is now an arts space on Duval Street.

Margaritaville is Jimmy Buffett's enterprise selling the tropical dream. A major photo opportunity.

Fast Bucks department store is gone and now it is being used for a while at least to showcase art work from various galleries. Worth a visit.

On tandem bicycles men ride at the front and women get to stare at their butts. It's a rule, I'm told.

Children must wear helmets but their parents feel no urge to lead by example even though the law exempts them. I am not impressed by modern parenting techniques.

Everyone dreams of making a living busking on the streets of Key West. A few pull it off:

Drunken bros shambling down Duval. What tropical vacation memories are made of.

St Paul's rises above the shambles

Looking good as the sun also sets over another night of tropical debauchery.
Sigh.

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Rooflines And Riders

Pedaling hard with lots of luggage under the noonday sun.


Look up as you walk Key West, for you'll never know what you might see.

All those gear obsessed fusspots would freak to see a man riding in street clothes and sandals. The Harley was a bit too noisy for my taste but I liked the image of freedom and pleasure.

Classic Key West roofline.


Classic Key West scooter renter out riding.


A not very Ket West balcony. It looked more Mediterranean to my eye.


A classic Key West scooter parking lot. Motorcycles welcomed.


Just another day riding in Old Town Key West.


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The View From The Bordello

The house pictured below caught my attention. Located on Caroline Street at Elizabeth it used t be rather untidy yet decorated with a hanging bicycle. Now it has fresh paint and carpentry.


It looked more like this next house across the street but it was part of the property owned by the scandal plagued conch Community Land Trust which bit the distribution and reverted it's properties to the city housing authority. One hopes low income needy residents will occupy the splendid new building appearing at the corner of Caroline and Elizabeth.


This sign below caused me a chuckle. By the time I walked back twenty minutes later the scooter was gone. My advice if you are visiting is to follow the posted signs. You never know what privilege locals may enjoy that will get an out of town vehicle towed.


The Red Door building on Caroline at William used to be a whorehouse years ago. Nowadays they sell charming clothes and have a little love seat on the porch which gave me a place to pause out of the heat.


Across the Street is the Home Depot of the boat outfitting world. West Marine is ubiquitous: there are stores on Stock Island, in Marathon and Key Largo covering every single island, pretty much. "Welcome Racers" refers I think to the January sailing races which bring teams of noisy, ill mannered racing sailors and their wealthy sponsors and owners to town. Race week is the week not to eat out as they reserve every table at every restaurant and force the entire room to overhear their sailing exploits recounted in painful detail. But they do bring money to town in January.


Scooter babe.


Idiot with a hang over, I hope.


I looked the over hung photographer with that fuzzy picture so I tried again and got a rear view which didn't improve it much. Were I reduced to intercourse with a plastic doll I should like to think I would be discreet about it.


The city commission has approved the construction of a brew pub at the former Waterfront Market and construction is underway. The mural is taking a beating and I don't suppose Wyland's work will survive.


Some people find it too hot to ride for the next few weeks but I never mind the heat. Fifty degrees is far too cold for me.


Buddy Owen's restaurant isn't air conditioned but this shortcoming doesn't keep customers away even in the summer. Go nude and keep the fans swirling...


Doves don't expect the comfort of a/c so they remain cool, observing it all from up above.


It's true: you'd be surprised what you can get used to if you...get used to it! I am in no hurry to get used to no air conditioning. Been there, done that and I prefer the air!


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