Besides April, another time my husband and I usually visit Key West is right around the 4th of July. Even the past several years I even was able to participate in the 4th of July 5K. I really wanted to keep my streak going, but with the way the 4th fell this year on the calendar, it made it difficult to do so. We tend to fly out on a Saturday and return on a Saturday. Due to the fact the holiday was on a Friday, we had to make the decision as to whether take the week prior to the 4th or after. After going back and forth, we decided to head back on the 5th of July. This way we would most likely avoid all the crowds, etc., but unfortunately no 5K for me this time.

July is usually hit or miss when it comes to the weather. Several years ago, we were in Key West when Tropical Storm Elsa hit. Last year we experienced several days of on and off rain showers. I looked at the weather forecast prior to our arrival and this time the weather was looking perfect.

This would now make it our 36th time to Key West since we first set foot back in March 2006. As usual, we were staying at our home away from home, The Gardens Hotel. Our friends Brent and Julie, along with Al and Lynn were also going to be in Key West the same time as us like we did back in April.

Saturday, July 5th – Arrival Day, The Gardens Hotel, Alonzo’s

It had been a while since we have been home for the 4th, but it was a picture perfect day and it gave me a chance to make sure everything was in order before we were leaving the following day. Our flight time to Key West was a little bit later then usual, 10:05am to be exact. So we didn’t need to get up super early this time. I had our car service arranged to have us picked up at 6:50am. I didn’t know what to expect as far as the traffic to Newark airport due to the fact it was the day right after a holiday. Well I think we could have been picked up at 7:30am instead and still would have had plenty of time to get to the airport.

Route 80 is never without any traffic, but the amount of vehicles on the highway were minimal. We arrived at the airport just under an hour give or take a few minutes. When our driver dropped us off, I couldn’t believe how it wasn’t packed with people like it normally is. Our flight was out of Terminal A which encompasses several airlines, not just United. We walked up to the Clear kiosks to get scanned. There was only one person ahead of us so we got through within a couple of minutes. Even when we went through the TSA security, there weren’t many people ahead of us. I think the entire process took us around 5 or 6 minutes. I thought that maybe we should travel the day after a holiday more often.

We had about an hour and a half until we were scheduled to board our flight, so we headed to the United Club Lounge. I always feel like our vacation starts when we sit down in the lounge and have a “I am on vacation” breakfast cocktail. Time seemed to move quickly while we were at the lounge and soon it was time to walk to our gate. I thought our gate was further down, but when we exited the lounge it was only several steps to our gate. 

When I saw the Key West digital sign, it gave me a sense of excitement still after all the times we have been to Key West. And just 3 months prior mind you.

It wasn’t before long that we heard them announce they were going to start the preboard process. We were in Group 1 so we got in line and waited. Usually we have to wait for people with Global Premiere, or families with small children, etc. to board first, but no one went ahead of us. So when we got the green light to board, we were the first ones on the plane. It was kind of odd to see all the empty seats on the plane.

We settled into our seats quickly and waited for everyone to board. Once the door was closed, the captain came onto the intercom and we were all set for take off. Within about 20 minutes or so, we were soon up in the sky on our way to Key West. 

Surprisingly, the flight crew was very nice and super friendly throughout our flight. So much so, that at one point one of the flight attendants grabbed a bottle of champagne to serve a passenger who was celebrating her 40th birthday. Even the captain came on to the intercom to wish her a happy birthday. How fun is that I thought to myself?

The familiar sights of the different blue and green hues of the water began to come into view. I knew we were nearing Key West once I saw the chain of islands below. We wound up coming into Key West a different way so I wasn’t able to get a good picture of the island. Sometimes the planes fly perpendicular to Key West and then comes back around to the island. This time we flew over the Keys and landed directly into Key West.

The landing as usual, came to a quick and forceful stop. The captain even warned us about it since it is a 737 aircraft and has to come to a stop on a short runway. Once we were parked at the gate, we grabbed our carry-on luggage and exited the plane. It still felt odd exiting the plane and not walking down the tarmac. However, it was welcoming to exit into a fully air-conditioned airport vs. walking outside in the heat (especially in July) into the airport.

Quickly we managed to get through the airport and back outside to grab a taxi. I sent a text to Lynn to let her know we were on our way to the Gardens. Ironically their flight was scheduled to arrive before ours, which it did, however they were stuck on the tarmac. I believe they were having issues with opening the door to the Gate.

I was also checking my phone regarding our shipped box containing all of our toiletries. When I shipped the box, it was supposed to arrive after 3 days, however it got delayed in Teterboro, NJ for the same amount of time. I was getting antsy with the July 4th holiday that it would not get to the Gardens until after we arrived. Luckily when I checked again after we landed, I saw that the box was delivered just about an hour before we landed. What timing I thought to myself.

As always, seeing the water along the way to our hotel, brings a sense of happiness to me. Not before long, the infamous yellow brick wall along Simonton St. came into view. Our taxi driver actually went through the Fire Station parking lot so that he could pull up along the Gardens making our exit easier. 

We grabbed our luggage and walked up the stairs into the building to check ourselves in. Rhoda was back behind the desk and welcomed us on our return visit. Our room was ready and we were handed our keys.

You can read my review of the Gardens here:

Our Happy Place in Key West

My husband and I once again had a truly wonderful stay at The Gardens Hotel—our 36th visit! The lush, tropical grounds and warm, welcoming staff always make us feel right at home. There’s simply no place like it. Waking up to the view of vibrant landscaping right outside your window is something truly special.

The added amenities make the experience even more memorable—from the fresh, hot breakfast served each morning to the nightly entertainment, whether it’s Sunday Jazz or someone playing the piano while you sip a glass of wine by the pool bar. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day out on the water or strolling along Duval Street.

I always tell friends and acquaintances: for the authentic Key West experience, look no further than The Gardens Hotel. It’s sure to become your happy place too. https://www.gardenshotel.com

We took our things back out through the building out onto the patio area. As soon as I saw the beautiful grounds and the pool I was so happy to be back. Phil was behind the bar and gave us each a welcome back hug. We were going to do bring our bags up to our room to unpack, but that would have to wait. Phil presented us with two cold Heinekens. The first sip always tastes the best. We sat down at the bar and soon Brent and Julie walked in. It was great to seem them again even though it wasn’t that long ago we were sharing good times together in Nashville just a couple months prior.

Within a few minutes, our other friends Lynn and Al arrived. Lynn had in tow her usual pile of gifts for everyone from her store in Long Island – including bags of her sweet and salty popcorn concoction. 

After we caught up with everyone, we quickly went to our room to unpack our things. We noticed that there was a lovely display of goodies welcoming us back. It was from the bartender Phil. It was so nice of him to that we both thought.

Once everything was put away in their appropriate drawers and the toiletries were stowed away in the bathroom, we headed back to the bar. It was a nice afternoon enjoying everyone’s company once again and sharing stories.

Julie had made reservations for all of us that night at Alonzo’s. I wanted to go back to Alonzo’s since last year when we went, Brent wasn’t feeling so well. I told Julie that this was going to be our redemption dinner.

It was nearing our reservation time, so we quickly freshened up before meeting everyone back down by the Gardens bar. We did experience a little pop up shower, but by the time we got to Alonzo’s, thanks to an Uber ride, the skies cleared up and it was a beautiful evening.

We walked through the old area that used to be occupied by the White Tarpon, follow by Walhburgers. Now it is an extension of Alonzo’s. It has a huge full service bar complete with tv’s to catch a sports game and lighter fare dining options.

Since we had a few minutes to spare, we each grabbed a cocktail (glass of white wine for me) before walking into the main restaurant. 

When we walked in I noticed it wasn’t crowded at all. I guess since it was after the holiday and also July, there weren’t too many people. Usually when you walk into a place like Alonzo’s, it is packed with people standing around waiting for a table to become available.

Soon the hostess grabbed our menus and seated us at a lovely table outside. It was on the corner so it gave us the perfect amount of room to sit around. As we were all looking over the menu, the first thing that struck my eye was the grouper reuben. Years ago when I used to eat red meat regularly, a reuben sandwich was one of my favorites. I had never seen a reuben made with fish and thought that I had to give a try. To start, my husband and I agreed to share the fried calamari. You can’t have to much fried food can you? He also went with a sandwich, but the fried snapper sandwich.

When our server came back to the table, everyone placed their orders. It was a fun evening enjoying everyone’s company, like we just saw everyone a few days ago, not months. Our appetizers arrived and I was pretty hungry since I hadn’t eaten since our flight that was hours ago. The fried calamari was served hot and crispy. It wasn’t over cooked which sometimes can happen with calamari.

It wasn’t before long that our main courses were served. I could not wait to dig into my sandwich. The grouper was fresh and delicious. The combination of the coleslaw, swiss cheese and thousand island dressing was perfect. Everyone else enjoyed their meals. I don’t think anyone had room for dessert, so once we were finished with our meals we asked for the check.

You can read my review of Alonzo’s here:

Fresh seafood with many options

Whether you are in the mood for oysters on the half, a burger, or fish tacos, Alonzo’s has something for everyone. The food isn’t fancy or high-end, it is just good food that won’t break the bank. You can choose to sit in the well air-conditioned dining room and/or sit at a table outside that overlooks the marina. 

We usually opt to sit outside so you can also get a chance to see the sunset in the sky. It is also a fun way to watch all the visitors walk by while you wait for your dinner. Their fried calamari is delicious and they do not skimp out on the portion. It is perfect to share with your other half.

If you don’t want anything too fancy, I highly recommend one of their fish sandwiches. I was very impressed with the grouper reuben. No matter what you order, I think you will be fully satisfied dining at Alonzo’s.

https://alonzosoysterbar.com

I wanted to walk back to the Gardens instead of taking an Uber since I was so full.

Everyone else agreed and we made the walk back down Simonton to the Gardens. It was a nice way to end our first day back in my happy place.

Sunday, July 6th – Azur, The Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon, Bali Bar, Latitudes

I saw a few days earlier that the weather was going to be quite hot while we were in Key West which is to be expected in the summer months. Usually we opt to have our first breakfast at La Te Da our first morning in Key West, but I thought it may be a bit too hot to sit at our usual tables outside. So I went ahead and booked us a table at Azur for 10:00am. This way we could sleep in a little after our travel day and have a cup of coffee from our favorite coffee place, Cuban Coffee Queen. 

We woke up to a warm and sunny morning. After we freshened up, we headed out to Cuban Coffee Queen, but not before saying hello to Lynn and Al who were enjoying the Gardens breakfast. After we talked about what our plans for the day, we made it across Angela St. through the Key West Fire Department parking lot. When we walked up to the counter at Cuban Coffee Queen, there was no one ahead of us. I guess it really was slow season. We are so accustomed to wait on line before placing our order. Our cuban americans were ready in no time and then we were off to Azur. 

Meanwhile Brent and Julie were renting a beautiful house on Eaton St. Since it was on the way to Azur, we planned to meet them at their house and walk on over to Azur. However, after we got our coffee, we realized we were too early for our reservation. 

So we made a Plan B. We decided to walk down Duval and then back up towards Eaton. This way we could get a few steps in before indulging in our breakfast/brunch. 

We managed to get some steps accomplished before walking down to Eaton. Brent and Julie were all ready. I didn’t realize how close Azur was. It was literally just another block from where they were staying. When we walked in, at first I wanted to sit outside, but the air conditioning felt too good to pass up. So when the hostess asked us where we would like to sit, without hesitation we all said inside.

We were the first ones to arrive so we had the entire dining area to ourselves. To start, my husband and I ordered a couple of screwdrivers, while Julie opted for a mimosa and Brent went with a cappuccino. We weren’t in any rush that day and since we had a late reservation at Latitudes that evening it was better to have a later breakfast. 

I was looking over the menu and decided to go with the Roesti, which was described as a potato pancake, brie, proscuitto, arugula and hollandaise. It sounded intriguing to me so I ordered it when our server came back over after serving us our drinks. My husband and Brent decided to go with the gnocchi frittata, while Julie choose the granola with fresh berries and yogurt. 

While we were waiting for our breakfast to arrive, another couple of people were seated near us. The previous times we have been to Azur, usually it is a lot more crowded. I didn’t really need to make the reservation. 

Anyway, it took a bit of time, but eventually breakfast arrived. I was pleasantly surprised that my meal also had a pair of poached eggs. I didn’t realize it when I saw it on the menu. It was more or less like eggs benedict. When I took the first bite, it was just as good as it looked.

You can read my review of Azur here:

A Quiet Escape to Enjoy the First Meal of the Day

Azur is located a bit off the main drag of Duval, but if you are lucky enough to stumble upon it, you won’t be disappointed. You have the option to dine inside or outside in the covered back portion of the building. It is completely shaded, so if you are worried about sitting in the sun, don’t. If it is a hot day, like we just experienced, you may want to sit inside at one of their very comfortable tables with cushioned seating.

There is a bar – so feel free to order your favorite breakfast cocktail to start while you look over the menu. The menu is filled with not just your usual breakfast fare. Since it is considered brunch, you can even order a burger if you’d like, which may be a bit difficult to get down at 9am in the morning. 

The service tends to be on the slower side, so if you aren’t in any rush this place is for you. They are know for their smoked salmon eggs benedict which I have ordered before and it is delicious. If you want to be less adventerous, they offer a lovely granola with fresh fruit and greek yogurt. It is served separately, so you can put together the ingredients as you so choose.

I also recommend their frittatas. My particular favorite is the four cheese and egg white option. (Why bother with egg whites if you have four cheeses, but I digress) It comes complete with arugula, avocado and pesto. And most recently I enjoyed the roesti – which was basically eggs benedict, but instead of your typical english muffins, they were served on a delicious crispy large potato pancake.

All and all you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose to start your day. Azur is a quiet escape to start your day in Key West. 

https://azurkeywest.com

Everyone else enjoyed what they selected and we all finished our plates.

After our breakfast we walked out onto Grinnell St. and you could feel the heat from the sun. I didn’t realize how hot it was outside, being in the nice air conditioning. I wanted to head to the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon to see Ramsey, whom I remember works on Sundays.

We all decided that the Sunset Tiki Bar would be our next stop. So we walked around and headed to the Bight, walking along behind the Schooner Wharf, passing by Shrimp Boat Records Recording studio, etc. I still can’t believe the amount of stickers it now holds. 

We made it to the Sunset Tiki Bar and Ramsey was indeed working. https://www.sunsettikibar.com

It was nice to see her again. We settled into a couple of seats in the corner, making it easier for us all to talk. 

The weather was hot, but the sun was shining and the skies were blue, making the water a beautiful back drop. 

The owner Phil made an appearance, but he was sporting a sling. He welcomed us back before explaining to us how he hurt himself. Him and his wife just got back from vacation and while he was trying to put the luggage away, he tripped over a set of stairs in the garage. Like they say accidents happen at home. Luckily he is on the mend and it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. We chatted for a while before making our way back out into the Key West world.

Brent and Julie headed back to their house to relax for the afternoon. I was still in that mode where I wanted to go to another place. As my husband and I walked down towards Duval, we thought about where to go next. 

Then it both dawned on us, the Bali Bar. We hadn’t been there yet and it is that perfect little place to have a drink and out of the hustle and bustle of Duval – even though it wasn’t that crowded. https://www.thekeywesthotel.com/bali-bar-key-west

We walked down Duval and made a turn down the alley to the Bali Bar. 

There were a couple of people sitting at the bar, but we were able to find a couple seats on the other end. I ordered the mango mojito while my husband ordered a beer. We had planned on only staying for one and making our way back to the Gardens. 

While we were enjoying our drinks, we started to talk to the bartender. It turned out he also is a singer/songwriter. He plays occasionally around including the Bali Bar, which he was scheduled to play that evening. However, we had dinner reservations at the Latitudes that evening so we weren’t sure if we would be able to make it. His name was Jay Waple and he was very nice. 

We wound up staying for another round, just as a female musician was setting up to perform for the afternoon. I felt bad leaving when no one else was there and she just arrived. We then asked Jay to turn on the Nascar race so that we could catch a few minutes of the race. It turned out he was also a fan of racing. So instead of staying for one we stayed for about an hour or so. Eventually we pulled ourselves away and thanked Jay for the hospitality and told him we would try and stop by again that night after dinner.

We did make it back to the Gardens and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool. The pool felt so refreshing when I jumped in. It was just what we needed after the hot walk down Duval St.

Once again Phil was behind the bar and kept us entertained. 

While we were enjoying the pool, Lynn and Al showed up. They talked about how they spent the day at Fort Zachary. One of these days I thought to myself we should go. We only went to Fort Zachary once and walked the entire way there. It was a long walk, especially when it is so hot out.

After a nice afternoon enjoying the pool, it was time for us to get ready for dinner. Since the sun sets later on during the summer months, Julie made the reservations for 7:45pm. We planned to meet at the Gardens and take an Uber over to the Opal Resort to catch the water taxi. Once we freshened up, there was still time to enjoy a glass of wine at the Gardens Bar. Brent and Julie arrived shortly after. They sat down and joined us for a pre dinner cocktail.

When everyone was ready, Julie hit the Uber app and we were on our way to the Opal resort. I prefer walking, then taking an Uber, but it was so hot out that I would be a sweaty mess by the time we got to the dock.  It was a quick ride over and the driver dropped us right in front of the resort. 

There wasn’t a cruise ship in town at the time, so there weren’t too many people walking around. It was nice to be able to see the view of the water and the sky without having an enormous ship blocking it. 

Soon in the water I could see the water taxi making its way on over to the pier. We all got on line and waited to get the nod to board the boat.

Once everyone was on board, we took the short ride on over to Sunset Key. The sun was starting to get lower in the sky and it looked so beautiful. I was hoping that maybe this was the night we could see the sun set in to the water and maybe catch a green flash of some sort.

We exited the boat and walked up to the restaurant. 

Since we were a little bit later in the evening then when we normally have dinner at Latitudes, I noticed there were people enjoying a cocktail or two at the bar outside of the restaurant. Usually when we walk on by, there is no one there. Maybe we could have a drink there after a dinner I thought to myself. I always wanted to.

The hostess walked us through the restaurant back outside to a table perfectly situated in the middle of the dining area. 

Our server came over and we all ordered something to drink. I ordered a glass of their sauvignon blanc, knowing I would be ordering the crispy salmon. We have been fortunate enough to dine at Latitudes for quite some time and I always appreciate that, but they have had the same menu for years. And they never have any specials, which is fine, but at least maybe change one or two items on the menu once in a while. 

To start I choose to go with the caesar salad and so did my husband. He ordered the shrimp carbonara, which I have sampled in a previous visit, and it is very good. Brent and Julie also went ahead and ordered the crispy salmon like me.

While we were waiting for our first course to arrive, we all watched the sun as it began to set, making the sky filled with an array of colors. The weather was absolutely perfect. I kept thinking how back in January how cold it was when we were there and had to ask our server for one of those heater lamps just to stay somewhat warm and comfortable.

As the sun quickly fell lower in the sky, I noticed there was a few clouds between the sun and the water. No green flash I thought. Nevertheless, it was still a beautiful sunset to witness.

It took a while, but eventually our first courses came out, followed by our main meals. Everyone enjoyed their meals as always. I of course, had to take a sample of my husband’s shrimp carbonara and yes it was just as tasty as the last time I tried it. The crispy salmon is always a solid choice and plus salmon is one of my favorite fish to eat, besides hogfish. 

While we were finishing up, we noticed that the skies got really dark. I know the evening was setting in, but these were storm clouds. 

Within minutes, the rain started coming down. It came out of nowhere. Thank goodness we had already finished our dinner. Everyone started to run inside of the restaurant. The waitstaff started grabbing the chair cushions to prevent them from becoming saturated. Even my husband helped by grabbing our cushions and brought them inside. 

Due to the fact the rain was coming down in buckets, there was no water taxi on its way. We had to wait it out and the perfect way to do that was to have an after dinner drink at the outside bar. Everyone else had the same idea, but we found several empty seats. My husband went up to the bar to order a couple of after dinner cocktails for everyone. It was probably about a half of an hour so before the rain started to subside. 

Then we noticed the water taxi had arrived. I grabbed my purse and we walked down the pier to the water taxi and so did everyone else that was waiting out the weather. 

We had to wait for the arriving guests to exit. I couldn’t believe so many people had reservations for dinner so late in the evening. I think it was around 9:30 or even close to 10:00pm. We walked on to the boat once we got the okay. It wasn’t like the ride over that’s for sure. They were packing everyone in. We wound up getting a couple of seats inside of the boat since the outside area was already occupied.

You can read my review of Latitude’s here:

Go for the Experience

Yes it may be a bit on the pricey side, but the entire experience, from taking the water taxi off the pier of the Opal Resort, to Sunset Key and if you are lucky enough to catch the sunset, it is worth it. The moment you step foot onto Sunset Key, it feels like you are miles and miles away from the touristy spots on Duval.

The menu has been the same for quite some time and they do not offer any specials, but Latitude’s menu has something for everyone. The food is prepared well and is delicious. Is it the best meal you’ll have on Key West? Probably not, but to have the view while you dine, makes up for the food.

https://www.opalcollection.com/sunset-key-cottages/restaurants/latitudes

When there wasn’t any room left, we headed back to the Opal Resort. I still can’t believe in away, we were stuck at Latitudes. I guess there are worse places to be stranded at. We arrived at the dock and headed out to Front St. While we were walking, the rain returned. Brent and Julie were going back to their house rental so they grabbed an Uber. We wanted to try and catch Jay at the Bali Bar before he was done with his set for the evening, but the rain wasn’t letting up.

Somehow we made it to Duval without getting drenched. The rain calmed down once again while we walked down to the Bali Bar. We walked in and found a couple of seats at the bar. Unfortunately we only heard one song before his set was over. All well we tried. We would have had more time we weren’t stuck in the rain. Jay thanked us for stopping by and with that we headed back to the Gardens to turn in for the evening.

Monday, July 7th – Bagatelle, Lazy Pool Day, Lynn’s Birthday at Blue Heaven

It was another beautiful and warm morning. The rain had moved through from the night before and the sun was shining. While we were getting ready for the day, we contemplated where to meet Brent and Julie for breakfast. The place of choice we agreed upon was Bagatelle. I texted Julie and arranged for us to meet there around 9:30am for breakfast. 

After taking showers we walked down to the patio area where we ran into Lynn and Al finishing up their breakfast. It was Lynn’s birthday and we wished her a happy birthday and chatted for a few minutes before making our way out to grab our coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen. 

Again, there was no line and we had our coffee in hand within minutes. How I love low season. We walked out onto to Duval and noticed the streets were empty. I guess anyone who was there for the July 4th weekend had left. 

It was wonderful walking along Duval at a leisurely pace without trying to maneuver between groups of people. 

As we neared Bagatelle, we saw Brent up on the second balcony wave down to us. We walked up to the hostess and told her we were meeting our friends who were already seated upstairs. 

When we walked up the stairs and out onto the balcony, there was Brent and Julie seated at a nice corner table. We settled into our seats and looked over the menu. I wasn’t exactly starving after the late dinner we had at Latitudes so I went with a couple of fried eggs over medium with a side of link sausage. My husband wound up being more indulgent then me and ordered the eggs benedict. Julie ordered the glazed bacon for all of us to share to start.

Once we placed our order we talked about what the plans were for the day. The weather was perfect for a pool day. Brent and Julie suggested for us to come over to their house where we could spend the afternoon there. Without any hesitation we agreed on a time. We figured after our breakfast at Bagatelle, we would walk on over to the Sunset Tiki Bar to see the other bartender that works there, Candace before going over to their house. 

Then came out the candied bacon. It looked very tempting, but I wasn’t really in the mood for it. Everyone else had a piece and enjoyed it. Next our breakfast was served. 

Brent wound up ordering the egg white omelet served with an arugula salad on the side. It always looks so good when he orders it, but I never do. I should have.

Breakfast as usual was delicious. Bagatelle is always a solid choice when it comes to breakfast. 

You can read my review of Bagatelle here:

One of our favorites for breakfast

Whenever my husband and I are in Key West, we make sure we have breakfast at least once at Bagatelle. I love the array of breakfast/brunch items that are available on the menu. It does make ordering a bit of a challenge, but no matter what you choose, you will have a delicious meal to start your day. 

Our most recent visit, I ordered a couple of perfectly cooked eggs over medium, with a side of delicious sausage links and breakfast potatoes. My husband ordered the eggs benedict which were cooked to exactly how he prefers them – not too runny. We were with another couple so we shared the maple glazed bacon which is always a highlight when we dine at Bagatelle. No matter what you are in the mood for, start your day off right with a delicious and tasty meal at Bagatelle.

https://www.bagatellekeywest.com

When everyone was done and ready, we walked down the stairs and out onto Duval. Since we were near Front St. it was a quick walk down to the Galleon. I couldn’t believe it when we walked by Two Friends, how empty it was. That place is always packed with people – especially for breakfast.

We made it to the Galleon and Candace was working. She welcomed us back as we took our corner seats. We all ordered the sweet tea and water with lemon to start. It was the same concoction we were planning on having at the pool later on so it made sense to stick with the same thing.

After chatting for a bit, we thanked Candace and walked back out through the Galleon parking lot. I still don’t understand why they don’t allow you to enter that way if you are a non guest. Maybe to avoid an accident with cars coming and going into the resort?

When we got to the street, Brent and Julie waited for an Uber while we walked back down to Simonton to the Gardens to gather our towels and change into our swimsuits.

We also made a short stop at the liquor store located right past the corner of Angel St. I had shipped down a bottle of Firefly Sweet Tea, but just as a precaution, we grabbed another bottle and several bottles of water, along with lemon juice

We went back to our room to change and pack some sun screen and a bag to carry everything in. I also grabbed the bag of popcorn that Lynn gave us. Speaking of Lynn, for her birthday, she wanted all of us to join her and Al for dinner. So that evening we had reservations at Blue Heaven at 6:00pm which I was looking forward to.

Our next course of action was to grab a bag of towels in the reception area and we were on our way. 

It wasn’t a very far walk to the house that Brent and Julie were renting. We walked up to the door and knocked, but there was no answer. Then we tried the doorbell, but nothing. Then all of a sudden we see Brent and Julie walk up the driveway. Apparently when they were trying to get an Uber, the app would lock up so they couldn’t get a driver. I couldn’t believe we beat them to their house.

We walked in and they both made us feel right at home. Funny my husband noticed a piece of furniture next to the kitchen that looked like the infamous cabinet in the White Lotus (Season 3).

Once we were all settled in, we hopped in the pool. It was a fun afternoon just relaxing in the sunshine. 

After a few hours at Brent and Julie’s we headed back to the Gardens to freshen up. We thanked them for their hospitality and planned on meeting in a few, back at the Gardens. 

Once we were ready for dinner, everyone met up at the Gardens bar. When it was nearing our reservation time, we all walked down to Blue Heaven. 

It was a beautiful evening for a walk. 

We walked in and the hostess sat us at a table to the right side of the bar, which puzzled us since the place was very quiet. (Everyone prefers to sit on the other side in the main area). We asked the hostess if we could sit on the other side and she quickly grabbed the menus off the table and walked us over to another table. Plus it was a larger table to accommodate all of us.

Our server came over and took everyone’s drink order. He mentioned that the catch of the day was grouper. I was planning on having the portobella mushroom entree, but it sounded too good to pass up. After our drink orders were served, everyone placed their order. For myself, I started with the grilled miso eggplant salad and then, with no surprise, I ordered the catch of the day.

Last time we dined at Blue Heaven, we saw this huge grayish chicken. We looked for her, but no sightings this time. It didn’t take long for our appetizers to arrive. My miso eggplant was delicious. I wish there was more eggplant however. 

Then our entrees were served. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the grouper looked and it tasted just as good as it looked. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I took the first bite. And with that, I didn’t leave anything left on my plate.

Everyone else enjoyed what they ordered, including my husband who opted for the burger. Since it was Lynn’s birthday, we talked her into ordering the key lime pie. When our server brought it over, they put a candle in it. We all sung happy birthday and cheered Lynn as she blew out the candle.

You can read my review of Blue Heaven here:

Not just a breakfast place

I know Blue Heaven is known for breakfast, but they also offer lunch and dinner. Personally I enjoy dinner instead of breakfast. Breakfast is usually so crowded and feels a bit rushed. If you go for dinner, it is a totally different vibe. 

I usually order the grilled miso eggplant salad. It is a tasty combination of the grilled eggplant with the miso. You wouldn’t think you would get so much flavor. Another appetizer option that friends of ours usually enjoy is the scallop appetizer. As far as the main courses, there is a nice range of options. If you want something vegetarian,they have two delicious options – the macro bowl or the portobella mushroom. I have had both and they equally full of flavor. My husband usually orders the filet mignon which never fails to disappoint. If you want to order seafood, they always offer the catch of the day. Our most recent visit, I had the grouper special which was served fresh and hot. If you can’t get a table for breakfast and/or you don’t want to wait for hours, give it a try for dinner. 

https://blueheavenkw.com

It was a fun evening sharing her birthday and enjoying a delicious dinner together. 

After our dinner, we walked down to the Bali Bar for a nightcap before heading back to the Gardens. 

There wasn’t any music that evening so we just stayed for one before walking back to the Gardens. 

Tuesday, July 8th – La Te Da, Hugh’s View, Kaya Island Eats

Before going our separate ways the night before, we planned on meeting up with Brent and Julie at La De Ta for breakfast. We slept in a little and woke up again to a beautiful sunny day. 

Like every day, we freshened up and walked on over to Cuban Coffee Queen, but not before running into Lynn and Al. I reminded Lynn about going to Hugh’s view that evening.

I had always wanted to go on top of the Studios of Key West to see it, but we could never time it right. This time we didn’t have any dinner reservations, so it was the perfect opportunity to check it out. It was only open from 6-8pm so we would have to grab a bite either before or after. We decided that afterwards would work out better. They were planning on going back to the beach for a while so we told them we would meet up again later.

Again, Cuban Coffee Queen was quiet and no line when we walked on over. Once again, we quickly got our coffee and made the walk down to La Te Da. We took the Simonton St. route instead of Duval since it tends to have more shade cover. 

We made it to La De Ta where I spotted Brent and Julie already there sitting in our favorite little spot.

The other table right next to theirs was vacant so we were able to sit right next to them.

To start, my husband and I ordered a couple of screwdrivers. The bartender came over and told us that the omelet of the day was roasted red peppers, onions, ham and havarti cheese. That made my decision as to what to order come easy. Like the past few times we have eaten at La De Ta, my husband ordered the eggs blackstone. Brent and Julie also ordered the omelet of the day like me. 

We talked about what are plans were for the day. Many of the local musicians were out of town due to the slow season so there wasn’t any place I had in mind to go see live music. And ever since the Smokin’ Tuna closed down, the music scene isn’t the same in my opinion. Yes you get the local musicians playing here and there, but not like seeing Caffeine Carl and the Buzz. And speaking of Carl, we just learning about his rare cancer diagnosis prior to our arrival to Key West.

I did mention to Julie and Brent about wanting to go to Hugh’s View but that wasn’t until later that evening. We figured we would just see how the day goes. Since La De Ta was nearly empty, we didn’t wait long for our orders to arrive. The omelet looked great filled with cheese oozing out of the sides. I couldn’t wait to dig in. I normally don’t get an omelet at La De Ta but I was very happy I did. The omelet was delicious. Both Brent and Julie also reconfirmed my opinion regarding the omelet of the day. My husband also enjoyed his eggs blackstone. While we were finishing up, the sun was starting to shine down on our table. You could feel that it was going to be hot one. 

After the check was settled, we decided that we would stop by the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon again. Knowing the walk down would be really hot, we wound up getting an Uber to drive us. When the Uber showed up, the air conditioner felt wonderful when we got into the car.

It was a quick drive and almost felt guilty not walking but sitting in the air conditioned car, I didn’t. He dropped us off at the end of Front St. We walked along the pier to the bar. The water looked so pretty in the sun.

Candace was working once again so she didn’t even have to ask us what we were drinking. We all had the Deep Eddy Sweet Tea vodka with water and a squeeze of lemon. It is always our go-to drink at the Sunset Tiki Bar. 

We wound up staying for a couple of rounds before peeling ourselves off the chairs. Brent and Julie wanted to head back to their house rental while I wanted to walk around. We said our goodbyes and told them we would see them later at Hugh’s View. 

We walked around before making our way to the Tree Bar. There were empty seats along the side and Teri was behind the bar. It was a win win when we got there. As we were waiting for our drinks to be made, Teri told us that Carl was behind us. At first I was like who? But yes it was Caffeine Carl. He just returned with his wife Erin and her mother from Miami. It was so nice to see him. We gave him hugs and wished him the best of luck for what he is about to battle. I was really happy that we were able to run into him.

When we were done with our drinks, we walked back down Duval to the Gardens trying to pick whatever side of the road had more shade.

We made it back with enough time where we could relax for a bit and take another dip in the pool.

Not before long, it was time to freshen up and get ready for Hugh’s View. I didn’t know what to expect but I was getting excited to try something new. 

We met up with Lynn and Al at the Gardens Bar and then made the short walk down Simonton to Eaton St. I noticed that there were a few other people walking towards the Studios of Key West. 

We walked through the doors and I noticed some sort of art gallery on display. 

Everyone got into the elevator and we took it up to the top of the building.

When we walked out Brent and Julie were already there. We joked saying they keep beating us, but with that said, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.

I was concerned that without being much of a covering, we would be too hot. However, it was very comfortable with a light breeze.

We walked over to the bar and my husband ordered me a glass of white wine. 

I was looking around trying to identify what buildings were what from above. The sunset must be amazing from up there I thought. Unfortunately the sun doesn’t set that time of year until after 8pm. I was curious if they would stay open past 8pm allowing people to watch the sun set. 

We would never know because about after an hour or so up there, I started to get famished. There was no way I was going to be able to wait another hour or close to it, to watch the sunset. I felt bad, but I mentioned it to my husband and he didn’t mind. Everyone else was getting hungry as well, so it was a group decision for all of us to take the elevator downstairs and get something to eat. 

You can read my review of Hugh’s View here:

Perfect Vantage Point to See Key West

Hugh’s View is located on to of the Studios of Key West on Eaton St. Usually it is open to the public Mondays and Tuesdays between the hours of 6-8pm. However, I recommend checking their website for the most up-to-date hours since it does change depending on the season. There is also a bar so you can enjoy views while sipping a nice glass of wine. Sometimes there is live entertainment if you are lucky enough to catch it while visiting Key West.

The views of Key West are beautiful from up top reminding me of when you used to be able to go on top of La Concha to watch the sun set. This is a good alternative to that. I would suggest grabbing light fare before watching the sunset. If you are looking at a different place to see Key West, take the elevator up the Studios of Key West and check out Hugh’s View and there is no charge.

https://tskw.org/glow-hours-on-hughs-view/

When we got back outside, I didn’t realize Robert The Doll’s house was right across from the Studios of Key West. Julie pointed it out because she and Brent stayed there years ago. 

Since it was fairly close by, we all agreed to go to Kaya for dinner.

We made the short walk down to Duval. 

When we walked in Kaya, the bar was empty. We were all able to sit together along the bar.

To start, I wound up ordering the Boom Shakalaka Coconut Shrimp and my husband ordered their Signature Tuna (nachos) Poke. For my main course, I opted for their mahi sandwich (fried) which I truly enjoyed our previous visit several months prior. 

When our first course came out, I was ready. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the bam bam sauce was delicious. 

 My husband gave me a tuna poke nacho and that also was tasty. I probably would have been satisfied just having both of the two appetizers, but when my fish sandwich arrived I was ready. My husband ordered the usual rasta pasta with portobello mushrooms. He enjoyed it, but preferred it back when they used to serve the pasta with linguini vs. the spiral pasta they now use, which I have to agree. I have had it with both pasta shapes, and definitely prefer the linguini/spaghetti. I wasn’t sure what everyone else ordered, since it was hard to see the way we were seated. I think Julie had the tuna poke bowl which she enjoyed and Al I believe had the rasta pasta. Everyone else I can’t say for certain.

You can read my review of Kaya Island Eats here:

Can’t go wrong with Kaya

Kaya is a place to go for dinner and no matter what you choose, chances are you will enjoy what you selected. To start, I always order their signature mai tai which is sweet (not too sweet) and refreshing. When they are available as an appetizer special, I tend to get the buffalo cauliflower. It tastes so good you don’t miss the chicken. If you want to try something else, I recommend the Boom Shakalaka Coconut Shrimp or their Signature Tuna Poke Nachos. Either or, they are both packed with flavor. 

For a main course, I would suggest going with their rasta pasta if you are in the mood for something that is a little bit on the spicy side. I find that the rasta sauce reminds me of a combination of pesto meets jerk seasoning. Either way it works and it becomes an addictive combination that I crave. Another favorite of mine, is the mahi mahi sandwich. You can have it fried, blacked or grilled. The fish is served hot and fresh. Their fries are super crispy as well. Kaya also offers a plethora of vegetarian options if you that is your preference. All and all, no matter what you order at Kaya, you can’t go wrong.

https://www.empouriumkeywest.com

After feeling fully satisfied, we paid our tab and headed back out onto Duval. I was too full to really do anything else.

I think everyone else was as well, so we said good bye to Brent and Julie as they were getting into their Uber while we walked back to the Gardens with Lynn and Al.

And we all called it a night.

Wednesday, July 9th – Breakfast Club Too and Back to Brent and Julie’s

This was the first morning we woke up to slightly overcast skies. There wasn’t any rain in the forecast, just clouds. In a way it kept the temperatures down so we didn’t mind. When I checked my phone, Julie texted us asking where we should meet up for breakfast. My husband suggested Breakfast Club Too. We hadn’t been there for a little while and I was up for one of their rostis, which is a pile of home-fried potatoes on a hot cast iron skillet with sour cream and chives on the side and topped with two eggs to order. They have different variations of it that you can choose from. 

We both got ready and freshened up and once again walked across to Cuban Coffee Queen. I do like the coffee at Breakfast Club Too, but couldn’t wait that long for a hot cup of coffee to help wake me up. This time when we got to Cuban Coffee Queen, there were a couple of people ahead of us. We still didn’t have to wait too long for our coffee before walking down Duval to Breakfast Club Too which is located on Green St. 

As we neared Breakfast Club Too, we saw Brent and Julie arriving. Talk about timing. We hugged hello and walked inside. There were a few people waiting to be seated, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as other times. It was still busy, but we only waited a couple of minutes to be seated.

The hostess seated us towards the back. I think it was the same table we dined at several trips ago. Regardless, we sat down and ordered a couple of drinks to start. Their bloody marys look so intriguing but I played it safe and stuck with what I am used to, titos and orange juice. My husband ordered the same thing. Brent and Julie went with a pair of mimosas to start.

My husband and Brent ordered an omelet, while Julie a smoothie bowl called the acai bowl. She explained to us she used to order it when Brent and her would vacation in Hawaii. I think it’s like some sort of porridge? I obviously went with a rostis – the poblano and chorizo kind.

Even though the place was busy, our orders were served in a timely manner. I don’t know how they do it. Every time we have eaten at Breakfast Club Too, regardless how busy they are, you don’t have to wait long. 

The rostis was delicious. As expected I couldn’t finish the entire plate, but I did try. Everyone else enjoyed what they ordered.

You can read my review here:

Bring Your Appetite

Breakfast Club Too may be known for their bloody marys, but it is the food that shines. I personally enjoy their rostis which are eggs cooked to your order served on top of mass of breakfast potatoes served in a piping hot cast iron skillet. The offer different varieties that will appeal to anyone’s pallet. I had the opportunity to order the poblano pepper and chorizo rostis. The peppers and chorizo are mixed in with the breakfast potatoes, creating a mouthful of flavor in each bite you take. 

If you want to be a little less adventurous, they have excellent omelets. The menu says that they are 3 egg omelets, but if you order one, be sure to have a big appetite. Breakfast items are served with potatoes on the side, but if you prefer grits I would highly recommend it. They served in a bowl topped with cheesy goodness. If you are not in the mood for breakfast, lunch is offered all day. Either way, you won’t leave with an empty stomach.

https://www.thebctoo.com

When we were done, we decided to go back to the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon before camping out at Brent and Julie’s for the afternoon. Ramsey was back behind the bar so it was nice to get to see her again since most likely that would be the last time since we were leaving on Friday (the next day she is back working). 

We didn’t stay too long, but long enough to have a couple of drinks before motivating ourselves to walk back towards the Gardens to change into our swim gear. We thanked Ramsey and gave her hugs goodbye. Like the other day, Brent and Julie opted for an Uber. We made sure that the car was there before walking back and this time it showed up.

Along the way we noticed a new food truck that I had never seen before, called the Wandering Rooster. It was closed so I couldn’t see what type of food it they served. Maybe with that name it was fried chicken of some sort?

We made it back to the Gardens to quickly change. My husband grabbed a couple of towels for us at the check-in / front desk. 

We made the short walk down onto Eaton. The skies were still gray, but again there was no threat of rain and even if it did, the house where Brent and Julie were staying, had a beautiful covered outside area just in case.

Similar to Monday, we spent the afternoon being lazy and relaxing in the pool. 

We talked about what we wanted to do for dinner later on and thought about ordering a couple of pizzas. Sure they deliver right? I have Door Dash on my phone and quickly changed the location from my home address to their house address. I scrolled through the different pizza places and decided on Duettos. I have good things about them and we had never tried their pizza so why not.

When everyone was getting hungry, I went ahead and ordered a couple of pies. I was even able to add a bottle of red wine to the order. I felt like I was back home waiting for the Door Dash order. 

It probably took about 30-35 minutes, but we were in no rush. When I got the alert that the Dasher was near, Julie walked out to the front of the house with me. However when the Dasher arrived, I had to show my ID since I ordered the bottle of wine. Quickly I ran back in the house to grab my license. Good thing I brought it. Once we had the box of pizzas in hand we walked back inside and out onto the patio. 

The pizza looked delicious. My husband and I shared a mushroom pizza, while Brent and Julie shared a pepperoni pizza. We couldn’t finish it all, but being they were staying at the house, Brent and Julie saved the leftovers for a late night snack or lunch for the next day. 

Eventually the skies turned dark and it was time for us to walk back to the Gardens. Once again we thanked Brent and Julie for having a wonderful time at their house. When we were almost at the Gardens, I saw that the moon was full shining above Simonton. 

When we made it back, we quickly hopped in the shower and had a nightcap on our porch before turning in.

Thursday, July 10th – Last Full Day, Pepe’s, Sunset Tiki Bar, The Bali Bar, Willie T’s, La Trattoria 

Why does the last full day always come so quickly? Well this time we were going back home on a Friday instead of a Saturday which we normally due. My husband wanted to get back so that he had time to take care of our lawn, etc. over a weekend instead of trying to do everything on Sunday. I totally understand but kind of wished we were staying until Saturday.

We woke up and the sun was back out shining. After our turns taking showers, I saw that there was a text from Julie asking about meeting up for breakfast again. Where to this morning? Well my husband suggested Pepe’s and I thought it was a great idea. Sometimes Pepe’s can be crowded but the way the week was going, I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be too bad. 

Once we were ready, we headed back out to first, as always, Cuban Coffee Queen, before making our way to Pepe’s. The streets were again quiet as we walked down Duval onto Caroline St. 

Brent and Julie arrived the same time as us, so when got to Pepe’s, we were seated at a nice table. As to be expected it was pretty empty besides the bar area, which my husband and I prefer to sit at, but with two other people it is easier at a 4 top.

Our server came over and we placed our order. I decided to go with a couple of eggs fried over medium with a side of their grits and smoked sausage. 

While we were waiting for our breakfast, I noticed that Pepe’s had their own hot sauce. I sort of remembered but did forget. I couldn’t wait to try it with my eggs. Ironically when Key West Peppers was open several years ago, my husband would be the only one that would sample the hot sauces. Now that I love trying them and even make my own at home, it has sadly closed down. I know you can get their hot sauce online but it isn’t the same.

Soon our breakfast arrived and it was delicious. The hot sauce worked so well with the sausage and grits. I was a happy camper. During our breakfast, we talked about our last day and what we had planned. Honestly we had nothing planned besides dinner later on. Lynn had booked La Trattoria for all of us. 

Knowing it was our last full day in Key West, I did want to hit Willie T’s later to catch Zack Seemiller (whom I still do the funny ads that he posts daily). Plus I also just finished working on all the design work for the up and coming Key West Days in New Hampshire.

It was so weird that we really hadn’t seen any live music during our entire stay. Normally we would go from place to place, and catch live music. It’s kind of crazy how things can change so much in a blink of an eye.

When we were done with our breakfast, we made our way through the back of Schooner’s Wharf and along the Bight.

We made it backto the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon for one last drink and view of the water from the bar. We tend to gravitate to the Sunset Tiki Bar while we are in Key West. I think it is because it is just off the main drag and the views are beautiful. 

Candace was working behind the bar again so I was glad we were able to see her before we left. After talking for a bit we headed back out and said our goodbyes. Brent and Julie decided to go back to their house.  Since it was our last day, I wanted to take the sights in one last time.

We wound up at the shops at Mallory Square. I saw a necklace of a manatee and thought about making the purchase, but decided not to. Now I wish I did. It was really cute. 

Our next stop wound up being First Flight. We sat down at the bar and I ordered the Amber Ale while my husband ordered the Maverick IPA. Unfortunately there was a pop up shower before we arrived, making all the chairs near the road wet, so we stayed put. I do enjoy sitting along the railing there and watching the occasional trolley and/or conch train go by.

Since our motto was one and done for the afternoon, we finished our beer and walked back towards Duval. Again I wanted to stop at Willie T’s, but as we were walking past the entrance to the Bali Bar, we had to stop for one more. When walked back in to the bar, there were a bunch of people at the bar. I guess the cat is out of the bag so to speak about the place. Luckily the side of the bar had several empty seats where we sat down. Jay was back behind the bar so we talked to him for a few. 

Then it was time for our next and most likely the last stop before heading back to the Gardens. We walked into Willie T’s and Zack was playing. As we grabbed a couple of seats at table we waved hello. Thankfully it wasn’t too crowded. I remember the last time we were there back in April, it was nearly impossible to find a table near where Zack was performing.

My husband walked over to the bar and ordered a Miller Lite for me and mixey drink for himself. It was nice to be able to finally listen to some live music. Yes the Gardens has nightly entertainment, but its more for relaxing while you are enjoying a glass of wine.

I was looking at the phone and saw it was getting later in the afternoon and we still had to pack for our departure the next day. So we wound up paying our tab and said our goodbyes. When we got back to the Gardens, Lynn and Al were hanging out by the pool. We said our hellos and told them we would return after packing up our things and freshened up for dinner.

Our two bags of laundry that we had the Gardens wash for us (they have a place that picks up laundry for guests) was returned to our room. So packing up our things was effortlessly. We just empty the bags and put our folded clothes in to our luggage. 

After getting everything in order, we both freshened up and went back to the Gardens Bar to join Lynn and Al.

Then Brent and Julie showed up so we all had a cocktail before walking on over to La Trattoria. Again, it was a beautiful evening and the perfect temperature to make the walk down Duval. 

When we walked in the place was practically empty.

It didn’t look like reservations were necessary, but we were seated in the same table we sat out last year towards the back. 

Our server came back over and took our order. I decided on the caesar salad to start and for my main course the scallop scampi. My husband went with the beef carpaccio and the pasta norma which had some sort of array of tomatoes, basil, ricotta cheese and eggplant. Most likely due to the fact, the restaurant wasn’t very busy, our first course was served quickly. 

Once the server placed all our dishes on the table, I asked to get our picture taken. I figured it was a good opportunity since it was our last time we would all be together.

Then our main course arrived. My scallops were cooked very well – not over done and very tender. The scampi sauce was just what I was in the mood for. My husband enjoyed his pasta dish and so did everyone else. I don’t think anyone was in the mood for dessert besides coffee. I opted for an espresso and so did my husband.

You can read my review of La Trattoria here:

Classic Tasty Italian Food

If you are in the mood for italian, check out La Trattoria. It is conveniently located on Duval so it isn’t hard to find. The inside is modestly decorated with a white interior with wine bottles displayed around. The couple of times we have dined at La Trattoria, we have been with a larger party so we have been seated towards the back of the restaurant. From there you have a good vantage point of the entire dining room which isn’t terribly big.

Appetizers range from beef carpaccio (which my husband ordered) to a classic caesar salad. I tried my husband’s beef carpaccio and I was surprised to taste a hint of truffle which worked very well. I could have eaten more but I didn’t want to clean my husband’s plate. I had the caesar salad which was your typical caesar salad, nothing mind blowing but tasty.

Pasta entrees are in abundance at La Trattoria, but unfortunately when I ordered the scallops in a scampi sauce, they were served with a side of wild rice. I generally prefer scampi being served with linguini or spaghetti. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the dish had a ton of garlic which I love, but I was missing the pasta. My husband had the past norma which had fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, garlic and eggplant in tomato sauce, topped with salted ricotta cheese. It looked delicious and was curious how it tasted so tried a little and it was very good. 

If you are looking for a italian restaurant for dinner, check out La Trattoria. It is just good classic food.

https://latrattoria.us/old-town/

When everyone was finished we walked back to the Gardens.

When we arrived back at the Gardens Hotel, we grabbed a couple of chairs around the pool and took it in for one last time, as we enjoyed each others company.

Soon it was time to get some sleep since we were heading back to NJ the following day. Brent and Julie took an Uber back to their house, while Lynn and Al retired to their room.

Friday, July 11th – Going Home

Since we packed up most of our things the day before, we really didn’t have much to do once we freshened up. I did go through all of our toiletries and threw out anything that wouldn’t make it back due to liquid restrictions and room in our luggage. (I always send a box down a head of time of all our toiletries for that reason).

My husband checked his phone and Julie sent us a message. We agreed to meet back at La De Ta for our last breakfast before we headed out. Our flight wasn’t until 2:15pm so we didn’t have to rush, but I did want to be out of our room by 11am.

First we walked on over to Cuban Coffee Queen. Since it was a Friday and the start to the weekend, there were more people waiting on line. Thankfully it wasn’t too long before having our coffee once again in hand. 

It was another beautiful sunny morning. Now that I think of it, I think this was the first trip during the July 4th week, where we didn’t have a lot of downpours which I was surprised about. 

We made it to La Te Da, but when we walked in, there were people sitting in our preferred tables. At first I thought Brent and Julie beat us once again, but as we got closer it wasn’t them. No big deal, so we decided to sit at the bar which was completely empty. 

The bartender came over and handed us a couple of menus and told her we were waiting for two more people. While we were waiting for Brent and Julie we ordered a couple of screwdrivers. Why not, it was our last day. Not before long we saw Brent and Julie walk in. The sat down next to us and we looked over the menu. I really don’t need to look at the menu anymore, since we have been there so many times, I think I have it memorized. 

I decided to go with the omelet of the day again since the other day it was so tasty. My husband decided on the regular eggs benedict. Julie ordered scrambled eggs, while Brent also ordered the omelet the day. Its always so hard for me to relax the day you are leaving. I keep thinking about our flight, all the things I need to do when I get home, etc. 

Our breakfast arrived and the omelet looked just about the same as the other day. I took a bite and it was delicious. Since I was feeling a bit anxious about leaving, I couldn’t really finish my meal. I tried but I wasn’t very hungry. 

I thought once we were done, we would say good bye to Brent and Julie since they were having family coming in the next day and wanted to get the house ready. However, when we were leaving La Te Da, they said they would walk back with us to the Gardens to keep us company before we had to leave. I thought that was so nice.

We made it back and headed to our room to grab our things and of course making sure nothing we needed was left behind. Once we were all set, we met Brent and Julie back by the pool area. We grabbed a couple of chairs and sat down. Then we saw Lynn and Al. They weren’t leaving until the following day. I didn’t think we would see them before we left, but I am glad we did. We said our good byes as they were heading back out to the beach for a few hours.

Time at first seemed to stand still, but then before I knew it, the clock behind the Gardens Bar said 12:45pm. The time for me to order an Uber. So we gathered our things and said our good byes and headed back out to Angela St. I always hate hearing the sound of our luggage being rolled out of the Gardens, but I love the sound when we are arriving at the Gardens.

I hit pickup on the Uber app and within a couple of minutes our driver was there. We made the short ride to the airport and walked in to see the TSA line. It wasn’t too bad, but since the old Conch Flyer restaurant was no longer, our only choice was to go through security.

Ironically, we just learned that TSA had dropped the requirement of taking off your shoes if you are not TSA Pre. However, when I went through security, I was “randomly selected” where they wiped my Keen shoes and I had to stand there for 15 seconds. Okay – I am TSA Pre? So after the awkward stance for a several seconds I was allowed to pass on through.

We walked into the fairly new airport and saw that the Chili’s restaurant was fully open and there were a few more concessions open as well. Since we had some time before we had to board, we walked into the Chili’s and found a couple of open seats at the bar. I wonder how easy that would have been to do during high season. The bartender came over and we ordered a couple of drinks. My husband went ahead and took a look at the menu and ordered the chicken fingers. Within a few minutes the ordered arrived and wow, the plate was stacked.

I would have tried one, but I tend to lose my appetite when I am getting ready to hop on a plane. When we were ready to go, I asked for the check. I had some cash on me so I offered to pay with cash. When the bartender came back to get change, it took a while. I guess next time I would probably use my credit card. Eventually he returned with my change and by then we had to book it to the gate.

When we got to the gate, they were getting ready to board after the flight from Newark emptied out. I always get so jealous seeing everyone so happy deplaning. I know that was us several days ago, but the feeling is hard to ignore. 

Soon we were on the plane and everything was on schedule. The flight was uneventful and eventually I could see Lady Liberty below. 

At least we were arriving on a beautiful summer day and in a way I was relieved that even though we missed an extra day in Key West, we had the entire weekend to regroup and get back into the swing of things.

We landed a few minutes early and met up with our friend/car service driver who was right on time. Thankfully Route 80 was fully repaired after months of closure for sink hole repairs a couple months ago. About an hour or so, we were back home with our little guy, Kobe.

Sometimes, you don’t need to do much at all to have a truly great time. Though it’s bittersweet to see how the music scene has changed, my heart is always full when we return to this place I love—where familiar faces greet us, and special people we once met here have become lifelong friends in my happy place.

Thanks again for taking time to read my blog…. I always truly appreciate it. Until next time!