Closely Observed Boats

I got a con leche at Cuban Coffee Queen and went out on the fuel dock at Key West Bight and watched the comings and goings on the water. It was close to sunset one day before work and I played with the camera and the light getting to know my Panasonic FZ300. There's lots to learn and luckily there was lots to see:

Key West Christmas Greetings

From Rusty

From the Mel Fisher Museum:

 The Turtle Museum sporting sort of Christmas Lights:

My office suitably decorated, Key West Police Communications Center:

 From the Westin Hotel:

Someone's home decorations:

 Happy Christmas to all and please keep the frostbite at bay!

 An alternative sleigh for Santa:

And because you can never have too many of Rusty:

December On Duval

A few pictures of the main drag in Key West, the lower end of Duval Street. Pictures without words I think for the holiday. Warm sunny winter days make a pleasant contrast to the cold Up North.

 Everyone photographs Sloppy Joe's the Key West icon.

 And Rick's one of the other bars...

 Out of business. Yours for $30,000 a month or more.

 The Duval Shuffle with nowhere to sit to discourage the bums (who sit on the sidewalk anyway).

 Shorty's a cross between a convenience store, a market and a bar.

 The flag in the service of commerce.

 Everyone sits on the ground as there are no better choices.

 And then around the corner on Front Street I saw his relic of a bygone scooter era, a tiny Honda Spree, apparently in perfect working order. Ideal for Santa's elves.

Merry Christmas to all.

A Night Out

This chain restaurant has been surviving on the seven hundred block of Duval and that had me surprised so we went for dinner last week. It was actually pretty good.

They have downstairs seating but we went upstairs and sat inside though they do have outside seating. My wife suggested next time we might like to overlook the street for people watching. Worth the wait for an open table.

We were going to a play and thus had a bit of a deadline. We shared a plate of mussels which came oddly enough sprinkled  with parmesan. That was a first: shell fish and cheese. Not bad.

 We then shared a plate of hogfish which was excellent. 

 The interior is busy.

 Service was good and we enjiyed the food.

 We will be back.

We stopped for cookies for dessert up Duval Street. They were actually pretty good even though they supposedly weigh half a pound and were far too big. We took them home and finished them with a glass of wine.

 The giant Mattheessen's cookies came with us to a performance of "It's Only A Play" at the Waterfront Playhouse. Great fun and a fine way to spend two hours.

A walk back down Duval to the car watching the street performers and artists...

 And noting that Mr Cheapee's On caroline Street has shut its doors forever. Another long time place  gone.

All change in Key West, always.