Day 98 - Redhead Express
Miles cruised 0, fuel purchased $0, slip fee $133, daily high temperature 83*f, daily low temperature on 77*fMonday was a fun day hanging out with Sam and Denise. We had breakfast at Blue Heaven. The shrimp omelette with banana bread is awesome. They had a live band playing in the morning called the Redhead Express. They are a family of seven children which consists of four girls and three boys. They all play instruments and sing. The four teenage girls are the lead act and the boys do a few songs in between sets.
Sam and Denise wanted the classic photo with the Southernmost buoy. However, the line to get a photo was around the block. Next time. We spent the afternoon in the pool. Then we went to Mallory Square for the sunset celebration. This is a nightly gathering on the municipal dock which included odd acts such as a dog walking on a tightrope and a fire twirler balancing a flaming baton on his nose. Everyone watches the sunset and cheers as the sun drops below the horizon. No green flash tonight. Sam cooked chicken on the grill for dinner.On Wednesday morning we received a visit from Tom and Maryann Hauert. I had hired Tom as a sales rep for Rust-Oleum fifteen years ago. We have kept in touch over the years and it worked out that they were in Key West the same time we are here. Tom is trying to set up a tarpon fishing trip for later this week. We will see them again tonight for docktails.
Priscilla took Sam and Denise for a dingy ride to explore Key West harbor. Priscilla is becoming a very competent dingy captain.
We figured out that day 100 of our trip will be New Year's Eve.So many choices for new years' in Key West.Key West has become known nationally for its New Year’s Eve celebration with annual live coverage by CNN. The lowering of a drag queen on Duval Street from atop one of the island bars makes great television. It’s even better when seen in person.No doubt about it…Key West love’s to party. And what’s a better excuse than New Year’s Eve?
Three different gathering spots offer their own unique version of the time honored tradition of lowering something special as the clock winds away the last seconds of the year.Your choices are:
- to see a big conch shell lowered from atop Sloppy Joe’s Bar…a crowded and boistrous affair
- to see a Pirate Wench lowered from the mast of a schooner in the Historic Seaport
- or, (CNN’s favorite) to see Sushi, a local drag queen celeb, lowered from a Duval Street balcony, riding a huge high-heeled shoe.
Carl (Chef) Wooden - quote of the day.You live a life of make-believe, your life isn't worth anything until you do something that does challenge your reality. And to me, sailing the open ocean is a real challenge, because it's life or death. -- Morgan Freeman