KEY WEST!!

After checking in with the Marina office and paying for the mooring ball for the next week or so, we took a short hike to Winn Dixie.  It was only a mile or so away so we grabbed our grocery bags and did some grocery shopping.  We used a couple of backpacks and our large freezer bag.  It wasn't too bad, but I know that freezer bag and 10 lb bag of ice inside was a haul for Ed. It sure was hot in Key West, but as my Arkansas friends say, nobody feels sorry for us!
The following day was another hike into town, this time we went towards Old Town Key West, and found West Marine.  Ed has some things to order, (always).
Monday rolled around and that started the week of Parrothead fun, starting with an unplugged show at Schooner's Wharf by Southern Drawl Band.  Steve and Erica from Arkansas came into town and we met them there.  So so good to see our dear friends!

Picture with Mike Nash, and Erica at Schooner's

Southern Drawl Band unplugged

We had such a busy schedule, with trying to see all the bands we love.  We took only one day off on Thursday and rested up to be able to continue.  We left each morning and took the 20 minute (sometimes wet and choppy) dinghy ride into the dinghy docks and headed into town.  We came back to Manatee after dark most nights and some nights approaching midnight!  We were not used to this pace, but had a blast! On Thursday, we rested and enjoyed the sights at the mooring field.  We watched a seaplane land in the field and tie up to a floating raft for a while, then take off.  We watched a huge military plane drop off divers with parachutes and watched them briskly gather their parachutes into a ball.  It looked like it was special forces training. 

Big military plane flying overhead

Splashdown!

Seaplane landing

The rest of the week is kinda blurry...Let's just say there was music, drinks and food all day, everyday!  Here are some of my favorite pictures of the great musicians we encountered this week.

Sunny Jim (James White)

Latitude

The Klee and Mike Show 

Ramajay Intercoastal

Jimi Pappas

John Patti

The JP's

Thom Shepherd and Coli McCabe

Dennis McCaughey

Rob Mehl

Thom Shepherd and Greg Dumas having fun!

Jim Hoehn and Howie Golub

Southern Drawl Band at the San Carlos Institute Theater

Dave McKenney

Charlie Imes and Christopher Dale

Photo shot of us with Charlie Imes an Chris Dale

Latitude at the Rooftop Cafe

Mike Miller

Rob Mehl

Jack Mosely

Dennis Davis

Mike Nash

Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band

The Boat Drunks Acoustic Jam at Capt. Tony's

Thom Shepherd and Cole McCabe with a crossdresser, doing "OMG, I phlocked a Parrothead"

Howard Livingston

We met another cruising couple, Curt and Cindy from Virginia.  Steve and Erica just purchased their cruising sailboat this week.  So here's a picture of the three Pirate Captains! Arrrggghhh!!

Curt, Ed and Steve

And the Pirate Wenches

Maureen, Erica and Cindy

On one of our trips to the dinghy dock, we encountered these guys as we rounded the corner at Garrison Bight!

This guy was just sunning himself on the seawall

This guy must have been at least 4 ft. long!! 

Monday rolled around and the town of Key West was gearing up for their next big event, the power boat races.  All Parrotheads have gone home or are heading home.  We readied ourselves to leave early Tuesday morning, heading east and up to Key Largo.