Key West - Week 1

Key West! It took us a little over an hour to make the short trip from Boca Chica Naval Air Station Marina to Conch Harbor Marina. The Conch Republic will be our home for the next two months. This is also the end of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway where we have traveled 1243.8 statute miles. Conch Harbor Marina is located right in front of Dantes with a pool and two tiki bars. Dantes is part of the marina!

Cruise ships are a daily occurrence unloading thousands of tourists.
Sometimes there are two in port at the same time but the must be underway before sunset.

The Galleon Resort - we have been coming here for years.

We were originally planning on cruising the Florida Keys for the month of January and going to the Bahamas February and March. Once in Islamorada, we decided, "Why not just spend Feb/Mar in Key West!?!" So we started making phone calls to marinas in Marathon, Boca Chica and Key West to get weekly slips in the first two and monthly availability in Key West. The first two marinas we called in Key West were already full but we lucked out and found Conch Harbor and we're glad we did! We are five slips from the boardwalk!

Sunset from the fly bridge

Conch Republic courtesy flag

This is a daily occurrence - pelicans and tarpon patiently waiting for scraps.

We went to the Dirty Pig for the Superbowl. They had an awesome bar-b-que buffet and ALL drafts (including craft brews) were only $2. Somehow we managed to snag the last two bar stools which were right in front of one of the TVs! We were missing our friends from back home... Especially since we had hosted a Superbowl party for the last 10+ years.

Rainy day project -- installing new LED lights in the forward V-berth.

Finally! All interior lights are now LED.

 Pumpout right in our slip. Love having a tank monitor and new 50 gallon holding tank!

There are a lot of boats anchored out that need a place to land their dinghies. So far we've met two trawler owners anchored off Fleming Key. For about $100/month, you can tie your dinghy up here.

Pepe's! Our favorite breakfast dives!!!

Outside dining at Pepe's. Note the small bar and cat (employee of the year) sleeping in the box.

After breakfast we headed to the Galleon since their Bloody Mary happy hour runs from 10-12. After that, to the pool for a nap!

Willie T's. We have a dollar bill here from years ago. No clue where it is but it's there!
This is a great place to listen to music.

We can't think of a better way to spend winter. Of course there is no shortage of bars and restaurants but we also enjoy people watching (and there is no shortage of that when the cruise ships are in), relaxing by the pool, walking the back streets and looking at some of the most preserved period architecture in America. It's a mixture of locals, tourists, sport fishermen and long-distance cruisers. And there seems to be an endless stream of friends and acquaintances from back 'home'.