Boot Key Harbor - 3/1/14-3/18/14

On Saturday, March 1st, we met Pat and Jack at Keys Fisheries for drinks and to watch the sunset.  On the way back to the boat, we stopped off at the Brass Monkey to play some pool, but the tables were being used, so we had one drink and left.  John was trying to be "Joe Cool" on his bike by playing Dale Earnhart and Lance Armstrong.  He tried to give me the Earnhart bump, but it backfired and he crashed, landing on a bed of coral.  He was skinned up pretty good and there was blood everywhere.  I cleaned it the best I could, but he was a hurting pup.  Needless to say, we missed church the  next morning because of his injuries.  After showering, though, they looked better than they had the night before.

We went to the golf course and participated in a chipping contest to benefit Relay for Life.  We lost, of course.  We then rode our bikes to the Stuffed Pig to watch the annual pig races.  They had pari-mutuel betting, and guess what!?!   You guessed it, I lost.  Well, I picked three winners out of six, but I still lost $7.  My brothers and nephews met us at the races, but apparently they didn't think it was as much fun as I did, so we left and went to Keys Fisheries for appetizers and drinks.

On March 3rd, Pat and Jack came to Dockside for a final happy hour together.  They're leaving in the morning and we're not sure we'll ever see them again.  I hope so, though.  We really enjoy their company. 

The next day we went to Key West with the brothers and nephews.  This is only the second time I've ever been to Key West and I wasn't impressed.  I remember liking it better five or six years ago.  Maybe because it was my first visit there.  Unfortunately, we didn't get to Mallory Square in time for the sunset or the street performers.

On the 8th, we rode our bikes to the Marathon Seafood Festival, which was very enjoyable.  Most of the same vendors that were at the Art Festival a couple of weeks ago were there, too.  Next year, we'll just do the Seafood Festival and save ourselves some money. 

On Sunday, the 9th, we went to church with Flint and Leslie and then they took us to No Name Key to see the Blue Hole and some Key deer.  Such nice people.  Thanks Flint and Leslie.

Ashley and Chris arrived on March 11th.  We rented a 22-foot boat for two days so we could take them around Boot Key by boat rather than car.  The first day they were here, they drove us to a hypnotist that promised he could get us to stop smoking.  John lit up as soon as he walked out the door.  I wanted to but I held off for a day and a half.  What a waste of $250!  On their second day here, we took them snorkeling at the Sombrero Light reef.  I think they really enjoyed themselves, especially Ash.  Ashley just couldn't get enough of swimming in the ocean.  They went to the beach every day so she could swim. 

Sombrero Light

On Friday, March 14th, we took Ash and Chris to Key West.  On the way, we stopped at No Name Key to see Key deer and then ate lunch at No Name Pub. 

Ash and Chris at No Name Pub.  Those are dollars

stapled on the walls and ceiling, at least 7 deep.

Gay and her family met us at Mallory Square just before sunset.  This time we got to see the street performers, which I think are thoroughly enjoyable.  We did the Duval Crawl and Gay tried to get Ashley drunk, but it didn't work.

Ash and Chris left on Saturday, March 15th.  John was very depressed after they left.  Gay and family picked us up that afternoon and we went to Sunset Grille for dinner.  We played corn hole - Gay and I were partners, against John and Terry.  The girls won.  Then John and Lawson were partners against us and the girls won again.  Ha!  I finally beat John at something, even if I did have a partner.  Gay is leaving early in the morning.

We were supposed to leave Marathon on Sunday, the 16th, but the weather wasn't conducive, so we won't be leaving until Wednesday, the 19th.