We were in Key West just a couple of months prior but we were ready to go back. Our initial April trip was delayed until May (so we could be fully vaccinated before traveling on a plane again, etc.) As a result, it made the quickest amount of time between trips. However, for me it doesn’t matter if was a year ago, 2 months ago or even just a week ago, I am always excited to get back to my happy place.
Several days before our trip I noticed that there was a tropical disturbance forming in the Atlantic and thought to myself how could this be? I know it is technically hurricane season but normally I never see a storm form so early in the season that could possibly track towards Key West.
As our vacation neared I saw that the tropical disturbance formed and was now named Tropical Storm Elsa. I thought to myself this is just terrific. What do we do? I kept reading reports and most of them indicated that the storm most likely would remain a tropical storm and not become a hurricane. And if it did, it would probably weaken again over Cuba. I know storms are very unpredictable but I figured at this point let’s just go and see what happens.
Saturday, July 3rd – Returning to Key West
The day before our trip I was getting a bit anxious, besides the impending storm, I was having a hard time reconfirming our airport pick up with our usual car service. Luckily my husband recent worked on one of the driver’s cars so he got a hold of him and confirmed that he would pick us up at 6:30am. Our flight was scheduled for 9:30am so that was fine.
I had my alarm set for 5:30am but didn’t need it. I woke up probably about 3 times before that throughout the night. I was so excited that we were returning again. When it was time to get up and ready, I made sure we had all our necessary ID’s, boarding passes, etc. Our driver was right on time at 6:30am. It was a bit of a rainy morning but it didn’t affect the drive at all.
We arrived at Newark-Liberty International Airport and it was insane. I knew that this was going to be the busiest travel weekend since the pandemic but was not prepared for it. We do have TSA Pre but even that had a line. It probably took us about a half hour to get through security. I couldn’t even imagine what the wait time was for the regular line, but it looked very very long.
By the time we got through security we still had about an hour to spare before it was time to board. Unfortunately where we were in the Terminal it wasn’t worth the extra walk to the United Club lounge. We did however, find this funky little bar and restaurant set up right in the center of the terminal. We sat down and had something drink. I noticed on the TVs they were talking about Elsa and how the projected path was still showing it headed right over Key West. I kept thinking to myself, it is a tropical storm it won’t be that bad.
Not before long it was time to walk to the end of the terminal to the lower level to our gate. It was a few minutes until we were going to board and I thought perfect, in no time we will be in the air. Then within a matter of minutes, one of the United ticket agents came on the intercom and announced that due to air traffic congestion in Florida our flight was going to be delayed until 10:30am. Really? I thought. My husband suggested that we could go back to the bar/restaurant where we were, so that’s what we did. It wound up being a good decision because we hadn’t had breakfast yet.
I don’t know if a lot of airports are like this, but in the United Terminal all orders for drinks and food have to be through their iPads that they have set up. It was a little getting used to, but once you scan the QR code from your phone of your airline ticket it isn’t too difficult. Anyway we wound up ordering a couple of drinks and breakfast. I wasn’t sure where the food would come out from but somehow someone brought the food out from somewhere. $100 later we were done with breakfast and it was time to walk back to the gate. If we were delayed any longer who knows what the final tab would have been. Thankfully we started to board a little after 10am so the hour delay wasn’t too bad. Once we got on the runway we had to wait a while before take off, typical of Newark Airport since it is always so busy.
Eventually we were in the air and the flight wasn’t too turbulent. It is about a 2 and 1/2 hour flight, give or take 10 minutes – so it doesn’t seem that long at all before you start to see the Keys below and the amazing colors of the water. We wound up approaching Key West in a different way, so I was able to get some great photos of the island.
Once we landed, as usual we were escorted on the tarmac into the airport. It was a hot and sunny day. We were one of the first to deplane so we got a taxi right away. I always love looking out the window along the way of Smather’s Beach. I kept thinking to myself we made it but what is going to happen with this storm?
Soon we turned on to Angela St. where the taxi dropped us off in front of our home away from home, the Gardens Hotel. Since our last stay a few months ago a few things changed. We didn’t have to spray our luggage or wear masks while checking in. Also they reinstated housekeeping once again, thank goodness.
Our room was ready so we dropped off our luggage and unpacked. Of course we traded the socks and sneakers for flip flops. We wound up sitting down at the bar at the Gardens to have a nice cold beverage and decompress for a few minutes. Normally we get into Key West around 1pm but being that our flight was delayed it was a little after 2pm. I was getting a little antsy since our friend Zack Seemiller was playing at Rick’s only until 4pm that day so we finished our drinks and walked down Duval St. to Rick’s.
We walked in and found two seats at the bar. Zack immediately recognized us as usual.
His son Kai was also there. It was great to see them again. And of course I had to get my usual photo with Zack.
Once his set was over we were able to chat for a few minutes. He was playing later at the Smokin’ Tuna with Caffeine Carl so I told him we would try to make it.
A few weeks prior I made reservations at Cafe Marquesa. Usually we have dinner at Lola’s our first night, but I wanted to try something different. I knew it was a bit pricey but figured why not it is our first night in town and it is pretty close to the Gardens. I made the reservations for 6:00pm so we still had sometime before getting ready for dinner.
During our last visit my husband took a liking to this newer place called General Horseplay. As I mentioned in my previous trip report, the bar has a feel /vibe like you are in Brooklyn not Key West and the AC is wonderful. We walked in and ordered a couple of drinks called the Murricane. I normally would never touch bourbon, but these drinks are crafted so well you can’t tell what is in them except they taste really good. Since it was later in the afternoon the place was bustling.
We only stayed for one because we did have to make it to dinner. We walked back to the Gardens hotel to freshen up. On the way back we passed by the newly replaced Mile 0 sign. I have no idea why they made it the size it is now, perhaps deterring people from trying to steal it, but it just looked so odd.
Once we were all freshened up, we headed down Simonton St. to the restaurant. It is a quick walk from the Gardens. We walked in and there was only one other large table occupied.
The hostess sat us near the window. We did try dining here several years ago and were unimpressed. I heard that there was a new head chef and that the food was a lot better and indeed it was.
Our server was very accommodating and didn’t miss a step. For appetizers I ordered the fresh seared Ahi Tuna with watermelon and my husband had the oysters rockefeller. My appetizer was perfect for this time of year, tasty and refreshing. I tried one of my husband’s oysters and it was delicious. Then for dinner I decided to go with the crispy yellowtail snapper topped with a crabmeat salad and served with an avocado cream sauce. The combination was outstanding. My husband had the beef tenderloin and thoroughly enjoyed his dinner. We were too stuffed for dessert but really enjoyed our dining experience vs. the last one several years ago. When we received the bill it was a bit of a shock. Yes prices are listed on the menu, but once they are all added up it adds up! I would definitely recommend Cafe Marquesa, however just be forewarned that you will pay the price. It was worth it though.
You can see my review here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d447628-r796831315-Cafe_Marquesa-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
Surprisingly I wasn’t too tired and convinced my husband to go to the Smokin’ Tuna to see Zack and Carl play. Plus it was a good excuse to walk off all that food. The sun was starting to set as we walked down Duval. It was a Saturday night so the streets were jamming.
We walked in and it was packed. I was able to stalk out two people getting ready to leave at the bar and waited for them to exit. Once they left we sat down. Erin and Big Ed were bartending so it was great to see them again. During the show I got in touch with one of Zack’s close friends Natalie. We got to know her from our past few trips and was looking forward to seeing her again. She met us at the bar and we were having a great time.
She mentioned how her boyfriend Ron who is in the band the Durtbag’s was playing next door at Dirty Harry’s. I figured we hadn’t been to that place in years so why not? We walked in and I felt like I was back in Panama City, FL during Spring Break. It was mobbed with people of the younger generation lets just say (I felt way too old). We found a couple of seats at the bar close to the stage.
I wasn’t used to seeing such a loud band like that since my high school years. They were great though. We were having a lot of fun but it was getting super later. Normally we don’t stay out that late for our first night, but we did. We headed out and made it back to the Gardens. We then said goodbye to Natalie and would meet up later on during our trip.
Video of the Durtbags https://youtu.be/-Ub0-yumFGY
We called it a night after a long day. I think I remember the clock in the room saying 1:30?
Sunday, July 4th – Independence Day
I always love first waking up in the morning thinking I am at home, but then realizing I am not, I am in my happy place. We woke up to a beautiful day. I had a feeling that would happen since the old saying goes ‘the weather is always great before and after a storm’.
Our first stop was Cuban Coffee Queen. Then I thought why don’t we try Blue Heaven this time since it is before 9am.
My review of Cuban Coffee Queen https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d9729234-r798300158-Cuban_Coffee_Queen-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
We walked down past Ramshead Southermost and as we got closer to Blue Heaven you could see all the people waiting. There were even people waiting to put their name down. We looked at each other and said let’s go to Moondog Cafe instead.
We walked in and sat at the bar. I don’t understand why more people don’t sit at the bar. It is nice and spacious, but I don’t mind – more room for us. For breakfast my husband ordered the egg tacos and I had the standard two eggs with bacon.
Breakfasts at the Moondog Cafe are always consistently good no matter what you order.
After breakfast we walked back to the Gardens to relax for a bit before heading out for the day. When we were set to go we headed up towards the Bite to walk around.
We eventually reached the Galleon but noticed you could not enter the parking lot area but had to go around using the boardwalk. It was kind of strange but I think they are trying to avoid a lot of foot traffic of non-guests from entering the parking area.
So we walked down and sat down. Ordered a couple of drinks and as usual took the view in.
Another friend of ours Dave was in town so I reached out to him to see if he would stop by.
After about a half hour we heard his familiar voice. He wasn’t around during our last trip, so it was nice to see him this time. We talked for a while and glanced over to watch Joey Chestnuts eat 76 hot dogs.
I still don’t know how the guy does it. We also ran into Phil who manages the Sunset Tiki Bar. It was nice to see him as well.
It was time for us to make our next move so we said our goodbyes to Dave and Phil and headed towards the Retro Room. This is another great place if you are looking for an escape from the heat. The AC is always blasting in this place.
We stopped in and met out with Kai for a drink. He even brought Bullet to say hello.
While we were hanging out we heard from another fan of Zack’s that we became friends with Wayne. We wanted to say hello before he was leaving Key West. Once we settled up the tab at the Retro Room we headed down to Jack Flat’s.
It wasn’t crowded at all so we sat at a couple of seats at the bar. My husband wound up getting a box so we could listen to the Yankee Game.
As a side note, a couple months before our trip I was able to get dinner reservations at Latitudes for the Tuesday Night we would be in Key West. However I kept reading reviews of how the food is okay but not worth the price. We have dined there several times in the past and thought maybe try Louie’s Backyard instead. We have eaten there as well, but it has been a long time since we had dinner there. In the end I wound cancelling Latitude’s and booked a reservation at Louie’s Backyard for outside.
While we were waiting for Wayne, my phone starting ringing. I saw that it was a 305 are code, so I knew it was a Florida call. I answered my phone and it was Louie’s Backyard. They said that they would be closed on Tuesday (since that was when TS Elsa was forecasted to hit). I figured that would happen. Disappointed I told them thank you and would like to make a reservation for when we return in October and they said they would start taking reservations in September. So I made that mental note for next time.
While we were watching the Yankee game, we saw Wayne and his son walk in. Wayne couldn’t stay long but it was also nice to see him again.
We were getting hungry so we headed back to the Garden’s to freshen up. It was a beautiful evening. I heard from several locals that there is this new place called Kaya Island Eats right in the location Cowboy Bills used to be and across from the restaurant Mangoes. It is really close to the Gardens and I suggested to my husband that we could try it for dinner.
Initially I was hoping to do the Key West Rotary Fireworks Picnic like we did a couple years ago at the Casa Marina Resort, but this time it was being held at a local park and I wasn’t sure what it exactly entailed, so I opted to pass on it this year.
We walked down Angela St. and crossed Duval. We walked in to Kaya and it immediately reminded me of a restaurant in St. John, USVIs called Longboard. It had the same similar vibe and you could sit at the counter/bar area like Longboard.
I was so excited to see on the menu – all these things to choose from that I like.
For appetizers my husband ordered the coconut shrimp and I had the tuna poke. I also ordered a mai tai to go along with it.
The food came out and it was fresh and delicious. I had to order the fish tacos and I was happy I did. There are several ways to choose how you want your fish cooked and I went with blackened. It paired really well with the mango salsa. My husband had a burger and he really enjoyed it as well. I would definitely recommend this place. It is reasonably priced, fresh ingredients and amazing food.
My review here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d23162562-r796834499-Kaya_island_Eats-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
After our dinner we walked over to Mary Ellen’s for a nightcap. We stopped in our last trip, but never noticed the Christmas Tree hanging upside down on the ceiling. I was getting tired so we only stayed for one.
On the way back we stopped at the liquor store to get a few things for the room in case we were stuck there during Tropical Storm Elsa which was supposed start effecting Key West the following day.
We wound up relaxing on our porch and listened to the Fireworks. We could actually see them around the other side of the building at the Gardens, so we walked down Simonton a little ways to watch the finale of the fireworks. I was kind disappointed we didn’t get closer to watch them, but I didn’t feel like dealing with all the people. After the fireworks were over we retired for the evening.
Monday, July 5th – Calm Before the Storm
We woke up to a beautiful day with blue skies. My husband spotted this cafe / boutique the other day and wanted to try it for coffee instead of Cuban Coffee Queen. Plus it was on the way to a breakfast place I always wanted to try called La Grignote.
We made the left hand turn down Duval St. and there it was Flamingo Cafe & Boutique. We walked in and the place was adorable. In the back part of the store is where you order coffee. They also had a selection of pastries on display. The front of the store is devoted to women’s apparel and accessories.
The woman that was working asked us if we would like coffee and we both ordered a cup. We had to wait for her to brew it, but once she handed us the coffee it was worth the wait. It was very good.
We walked down past La Te Da, which was really crowded and down to La Grignote. I walked up the stairs and noticed a closed sign on the door. I didn’t realize they are closed on Mondays. Then I thought let’s go to Banana Cafe, which is right next door, but that had a long line of people waiting.
So we turned around and started walking back towards La Te Da. We walked in and there wasn’t really any place to sit unless you would sit towards the back of the place closer to the pool area but I didn’t want to sit that far back.
Then we both agreed to head to Bagatelle’s. When we walked up the stairs, I noticed all the tables were occupied. I was beginning to think we were never going to find a place to eat breakfast. However, my husband suggested we sit at the outside bar area.
It wound up being a great call because no one else was sitting there and it felt in a way like La Te Da. We couldn’t people watch, but there was a tv on so we could watch part of Live with Ryan and Kelly while we waiting for our breakfast.
Our breakfast as usual was very good at Bagatelle’s. I had the standard two eggs and bacon breakfast and my husband did too. Once we were done I wanted to go to the retail store at the Hogsbreath Saloon to get a few shirts and also one for my sister (who asked me to pick me up one).
I find that they probably have the best variety of shirts over any other bars/restaurants. When we walked out of the store, I noticed this building across the way that I never noticed it before saying it was for sale. I looked towards the top of the building and it was faded but said ‘The Bank of Key West’. It was pretty interesting.
After our shopping we walked back to the Gardens to drop off the shirts and to relax for a little bit before going back out for the day.
Once we were ready to go back out we walked down Simonton St.
Then I noticed that the skies were starting to have more cloud cover if you turned around to the south. We walked all the way down to the Bite and around back towards the Galleon. As we were walking, we noticed that the winds were starting to pick up. I thought to myself here it comes.
We walked in to the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon and there were a few people sitting around. The bartender Ramsey told us that they were closing at 2pm for the day. While we were having a drink I noticed the manager Phil gathering all the tables and chairs around the bar area. He mentioned he wasn’t too concerned about the storm but he wanted to move everything back because of the potential winds – which makes sense since the bar is located right near the water. He also told us that he planned on reopening the following day around 3pm.
After a couple of drinks we walked down to Captain Tony’s to see our friend Gabriel Wright play, but when we got there someone else was playing. I got in touch with him and he said he was playing 4:30-8pm. I thought perfect, we can go see Zack at Hogsbreath and then come back.
Obviously then our next stop was Hogsbreath. We walked in and there were no seats available at the bar. We ordered a couple beers from the bartender Stephanie and while we were waiting I stalked out two people getting ready to leave at the end of the bar. As soon as they were getting up to leave I was able to grab the two seats before someone else did.
I prefer the seats at the bar so you can watch whomever is playing. The other seats around the bar make it difficult. So we settled in for a bit to listen to Zack play. His son stopped by gain with their dog Bullet.
During his show he was referencing a couple of friends of his from Missouri and how the one guy is a bass master. My husband is familiar with the sports competition from watching it on tv and thought it was really cool that he was there.
After Zack was done I mentioned to him about breakfast the following day if the weather wasn’t going to be so bad. So I thought fingers crossed it won’t be and we’ll be able to have breakfast.
Before we left I wanted to get a picture with the bartender Stephanie, who has been working there for years and she always takes care of us whenever we go there.
Our next stop was to go back to Captain Tony’s. And sure enough Gabriel was playing. It wasn’t as crowded as the last time we went there during our last trip so we were able to sit closer to the front.
As usual Gabriel played a bunch of songs that we usually request which was a lot of fun to hear again. We stayed until he went on break. We were both getting hungry at this point so we told Gabriel we would see him again the next time he was playing, but unfortunately we didn’t get to meet up again.
Video of Gabriel Wright:https://youtu.be/g8tcEpKTlZE
We started walking around and my husband suggested we go to Marylin’s for something to eat, but when we got there, they were closed. So then I thought about going to Off the Hook since it was close by. We walked in and they were pretty crowded. We asked if we could sit at the back bar and it wasn’t a problem at all. In fact it was nice and quiet.
My husband ordered the tuna poke and I had the scallops ceviche. I never had a chance to have ceviche during our last trip so I was so happy to have it again. Off the Hook always makes great ceviche. I remember I would always order it back when they were located behind the Gardens Hotel.
While we were looking over what to have for dinner we saw that they have personal pizzas. I thought ‘sure I can go for that’! So we ordered the personal pizza with duck bacon. When it came out I was really surprised. It was larger then I expected and it looked terrific. And it was. I loved the firewood taste it had. The pizza was definitely enough for two people. In fact we couldn’t finish it so we took the leftovers back with us to the Gardens.
My review of Off The Hook: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d5565929-r796835508-Off_the_Hook_Grill_Key_West-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
By the time we got back to the hotel it started to rain, so we made it just in time. We sat out on the porch and listened to the rain for a bit while watching the Yankee game on my phone. I didn’t know what to expect the next day figured the best thing would be is to get some sleep.
Tuesday, July 6th – Tropical Storm Elsa
When we woke up the storm was here. The rains were coming down and the winds were picking up. There was no need to rush out to breakfast this morning. I contacted Zack and we agreed to take a rain check (no pun intended) for the following day.
We wound up setting outside on our balcony watching the storm for hours. It was really cool to see. Every once in a while you would feel and see a huge gust of wind. We even saw one of the large palms from the two iconic large palm trees at the Gardens (and also my inspiration for when I redid their logo several years ago) fall into the pool.
We also saw David, who works at the Gardens down below trying to clean up all the debris from the trees that fell. He joked around saying how my husband should help.
Video of Tropical Storm Elsa: https://youtu.be/GKHAj-MZmHQ
Eventually the storm subsided and we were getting antsy to get back out after being stuck at the hotel for so long. So around 1:30-2pm we went back out, or so we thought. We walked to the front of the hotel and the street was flooded. Luckily the Gardens sits on the corner of Angela and Simonton so we were able to go through the other side to Simonton which was fine. David showed us where the opening in the Gate was to leave. It was like it was just flooded right in front of the hotel.
I wanted to check out down on Front St. to see if it was flooded. When we were walking around I didn’t seem much of anything as far damage, etc. All and all it was just a storm that had rain and wind but nothing too serious at all. It was a big sigh of relief. When we reached Front St. it was perfectly fine. No flooding whatsoever.
Since it was after 3pm I knew that General Horseplay was open (during the week they don’t open until 3pm as opposed to on the weekends they open at noon). My husband is a big fan of the place so we went back.
The place was pretty busy but not too bad. It was also happy hour so that made it fun. For happy hour they give you dice to roll, actually just one and depending on the number that’s the discount you get. I rolled a 3 so my drink was half off. My husband rolled a 1 so his drink was only a dollar.
Now this is a type of place where you can settle in and just keep ordering drinks. The recipes they put together are so tasty that you can’t really taste the alcohol. We were thinking of staying for another, but when I got up to use the ladies room, I could feel it. Plus Zack was playing that evening at Ramshead. His original show with Caffeine Carl was postponed obviously because of the storm, so it was the only chance to see him that day.
On our way to Ramshead, I noticed a lot of places were closed because of the storm and the ones that were open were packed with people. When we got to Ramshead it too was busy with people. We were going to have dinner at the bar there but it was too uncomfortable to eat so we just ordered a couple of drinks.
Zack showed up shortly after we did. I didn’t think the place would have entertainment that night but I am glad they did. His son Kai showed up too.
While we were enjoying his music, the couple from Missouri showed up, Sandy and Josh. My husband started talking to Josh and I started talking to Sandy. They were telling us how Zack played at their wedding 11 years ago (they got married in Key West) which was really cool.
We wound up hitting it off with them and talked for a while. When Zack’s show was nearing the end I was starving. We both were. Since we were close to the restaurant 915 and also the Blackfin Bistro we figured that we could try going to either place for dinner. So we said goodbye to everyone and walked down towards 915.
When we got there, they were closed and so was the Blackfin Bistro. Then we were going to try Old Town Tavern and they too were closed. We circled back and then wound up coming upon this newer place I heard about Lost and Found. It was also crowded but once we walked in I could see on the side of the bar there were a few open seats. I thought thank goodness – I needed food asap.
We sat down and shared the shrimp cocktail. I saw that they had fried hogfish fish tacos and ordered them. I know a big surprise my husband ordered the burger. While we were waiting the bartender mentioned that they were substituting the hogfish with grouper. I love both so it didn’t matter to me and I told her it was fine.
It felt like eternity because I was so hungry but when the food came out I was so happy. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. The fish tacos were tasty and my husband enjoyed his burger. I even stole a few of his fries. I did notice a lot of locals in the place which is usually a good sign. I was so glad that we stumbled upon this place. It was really good.
My review here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d23257128-r796836751-Lost_Found_Key_West-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
After dinner we were pretty tired so we walked back to the Gardens and that was that.
Wednesday, July 7th – Long Long Long Day
The storm was well out of Key West leaving it to be a beautiful morning to wake up to. We rescheduled to have breakfast with Zack and Kai that morning and would plan on meeting at Breakfast Club Too. First we made a stop at Cuban Coffee Queen before walking along Simonton St.
The sun was shining and it was getting hot. We walked down to the Breakfast Club Too and noticed there was a letter on the door saying that for the month of July they are closed on Wednesdays. We waited for Zack and Kai to show up and when they did Zack suggested Harpoon Harry’s.
We walked in and it was really crowded. We were seated all the way in the back but it was fine. The breakfast at Harpoon Harry’s is always solid. Nothing fancy, just good home cooked food. I particularly enjoy their grits. It was a pleasant way to start the day – catching up and enjoying each other’s company. We finished breakfast and thanked Zack and told him we would see him later at Willie T’s.
After breakfast we wound up walking around along the Bight. It was amazing what a difference a day makes as far as weather.
It was still quite humid. Locals were saying that the storm didn’t come close enough. It was actually 55 miles out to the west of Key West when it passed by. They said if it did come close enough the following day would have low humidity but that definitely wasn’t the case.
We wound up stopping in at the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon for one. They never wound up opening the day before after the storm passed. I guess it was like a snow day for them. We were enjoying the conversation with the bartender but knew one would be enough.
Since Zack was playing at 2:30 at Willie T’s that day we decided to go back to the Gardens and relax for a while. Unfortunately the pool was closed that day because it had to be treated / shocked after the storm. The pool on the other side of the hotel where the suites are located was open, but we figured we would just relax in the shade.
Before heading back out for the rest of the day we both agreed to freshen up since it was so hot out. It was a great idea. We made it back out to Willie T’s and thankfully found a table in the shade.
We sat down and ordered a couple of drinks and listen to Zack play. During his show we saw his friends show up Natalie, Ron, Janice and Matt. We saw them last time and that is when we stayed out too long at Ramshead the last time, but it was a lot of fun. Also Sandy and Josh who we met the other day showed up. They actually sat with us and we had a great time talking and listening to Zack.
When Zack’s show was over we saw another familiar face John LaMere. We always enjoy watching him as well so we figured we would stay for a bit and then head down to the Tuna to see Zack and Caffeine Carl play.
We were getting hungry so we grabbed a menu. We wound sharing a dozen oysters. I never thought about ordering oysters at Willie T’s but they were delicious and very fresh. It definitely hit the spot. My husband also ordered their friend shrimp which wasn’t as fancy but very good as well.
With our bodies refueled we said good bye to John and made our way down Duval to the Smokin Tuna.
When we walked in there was a female artist singing and her voice sounded amazing. I looked up on the schedule and her name was Kristen McNamara. She was finishing her show so we only heard a few, but at the very end she wound up singing the Star Spangled Banner. Everyone in the place stood up, took off their hats and put their arms across their chests, even the staff. It actually gave me chills it was so cool to see and experience.
Instead of sitting at the bar we wound up sitting at a table for more room and a better viewing experience. My husband ordered their delicious jalapeno poppers wrapped in bacon. I wasn’t too hungry so passed on them, but in hindsight as usual I probably should have eaten more that evening.
Not before long I saw Caffeine Carl setting up with Joey Marchiano, the drummer. Then Zack showed up and I had to get a few pictures before they started.
Once they started Sandy and Josh showed up and joined us. It was a fun night. We wound up staying through both sets.
Video of the Band: https://youtu.be/J98DY_iGfvM
When they were done so were we. We said goodbye to everyone and made it back to the Gardens and called it a night.
Thursday, July 8th – Taking it Easy
A few days prior I reached out to our friend Billy to see about going out on the water with him. I was hoping that today was the day that we would do so, but unfortunately he never got back to me.
After the night before we wound up sleeping in later then we normally do, but I needed it. I was feeling the effects of not eating enough compared to the amount of drinks. It wasn’t a great start but thought that a good breakfast may do the trick.
We freshened up and walked back down to La Te Da. It was nice and quiet this time and we found two seats at the bar along the road. I was so happy we could finally find a spot to sit, especially where we were. We ordered breakfast and surprisingly it came out quite fast this time. It was really good.
Unfortunately the breakfast did make me feel that much better so when we were done we went back to the Gardens to kick back for a while. Later on we had a beverage at the Gardens Bar and talked to the new bartender Phil for a while. He was a nice and friendly guy but boy he took forever to finish a story. We managed to listen to him for a while before going back out.
Zack was playing again at Willie T’s so we headed down Duval. At least Willie T’s is pretty close to the Gardens so the walk in the heat wasn’t too bad.
Zack’s son Kai was there so we joined him.
I also saw Donna who works at Willie T’s, a friend of Zack’s who I have become friends with being we are both Kevin Harvick Nascar Race fans. It was nice to see her, she always has a big smile on her face.
I tried a couple of things to drink, but nothing tasted good. It was like drinking sand. I couldn’t do it. So when Zack was done we didn’t stay much longer.
Video of Zack singing his song Harmony: https://youtu.be/C3Zkopn6eJ4
We were craving pizza again so we walked down to Onlywood, the original location, which is on the way back to the Gardens on Duval.
My husband grabbed a menu and asked me what kind of pizza I wanted. The first thing that struck my eye was the marinara pizza. He wound up waiting for the pizza while I walked back to the room.
When he came back with the pie and opened it up we realized there was no cheese on it. I had no idea that it wouldn’t come with cheese, but looking back it didn’t say it had cheese on it on the menu. All well. It was still good, but my husband wasn’t too thrilled. I think I wound up eating the majority of it. At least it wasn’t too fattening because it didn’t have the cheese.
We were both really tired from the day/night before so we called it an early night. I think I was asleep by 9pm.
Friday, July 9th – Last Day
Since we went to sleep so early, I woke up feeing refreshed. It was an awesome feeling. It was our last full day but it felt like we were there a lot longer. Maybe because we were just there a few months ago, it almost felt like a continuation to this trip.
Of course our first stop was Cuban Coffee Queen. Then for breakfast we wound up going back to Breakfast Club Too knowing they were open. The place was pretty crowded so we decided to sit at the bar, otherwise they would have sat us at this two top right in the line of foot traffic.
I wound up ordering the chorizo rostis and my husband had the eggs and hash. While we were waiting for our order, we noticed a girl sitting near us eating off this platter which appeared to have 20 or so silver dollar sized pancakes and a plethora of sides, like jars of jam, etc. My husband asked the bartender what it was and it is called the pancake charcuterie board. I think it was enough to serve a family of four but it looked delicious and no she didn’t finish it.
Our breakfasts soon came out and I forgot how large the rostis are. It was so good I ate almost half of it but it still looked like I didn’t put a dent in it. I felt guilty not finishing it. If we were staying at a place with a kitchen I would have totally brought back the leftovers. It was that good – especially their homemade chorizo.
My review here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d13526247-r796839802-The_Breakfast_Club_Too-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
When we were done with breakfast we wound up walking around the Bight again.
As we were walking near the White Tarpon restaurant, we heard a guy yell to his wife that there was a manatee in the water. So we rushed over and sure enough there it was. I have only seen one a few years ago but not this close. He even came up for air. It was quite impressive to see.
We then walked back to the Gardens to start packing some things up. We had a later flight the next day (1:30pm) but figured why not get some of it done. I also was able to check in for our flight at the Gardens.
The Gardens also has a computer and printer available so you can print out your boarding passes. I know you don’t need them if you have the app on your phone, but I tend to like having the printout just in case. I did have a problem with the printer, but David was able to help me. Basically I had the paper in the wrong part of the printer.
Once we were set with everything we walked back out to the Green Parrot for one, since we hadn’t been there yet. It was kind of crowded but luckily two people were leaving when we came in so we were able to get seats at the bar. We chatted with a nice couple for a few.
Then we made it back out to Willie T’s to see Zack play one last time there for our trip. While we were listening to Zack, Janice, her friend Marie and boyfriend showed up. We wound up having a great time laughing and telling stories.
I made reservations for our last night at a new place called the Red Shoe Bistro. It is located in the old Bliss restaurant location. I read about it on Tripadvisor and saw it recommended by locals. I looked at the menu and it looked different and I wanted to try it so I booked us a table at 6:30.
When Zack’s show was over we said goodbye to everyone and went back to the Gardens to freshen up. The Red Shoe Bistro is located down Petronia St. It is very close to the Gardens.
We walked in and the place was so charming. We were the first table so we were seated by the window. The owner came up to us and read us the specials. I ordered the spinach salad with mandarin oranges, bacon and almonds. It was tasty and refreshing. My husband had the oysters rockefeller and of course I had to have one. They were delicious.
For dinner my husband had the shrimp and risotto and I had the catch of the day which was mutton snapper. Everything came out great and nice and hot. It is never fun to have dinner served to you that has been sitting around for a while and/or is lukewarm.
Then after dinner the owner said for dessert they had homemade key lime pie. I don’t normally have dessert but I thought it is our last night why not? I am so glad I ordered it, it was so good. I prefer key lime pies that aren’t loaded with meringue.
My review here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34345-d21141783-r796838406-Red_Shoe_Island_Bistro-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
We were both pretty stuffed but I wanted to go back to the Smokin’ Tuna to see Caffeine Carl and Zack play again. We made the walk down Duval which seemed longer then usual.
My video of the walk: https://youtu.be/3UwFoQa2xhc
We walked in and it wasn’t too crowded.
We wound up grabbing a table again, but in order to sit there you have to order food. My husband ordered a chicken caesar salad. I couldn’t even think of eating anymore after the dinner we had at the Red Shoe Bistro. My husband was pretty full but took one for the team.
While we were waiting for the band to play Carl came over to say hello so I had to get another picture with.
Not before long the band came on and started to play. They sounded even better then the night before. Maybe because it was the last night.
Kai came by and sat with us too. Just when we were thinking we were going to leave after the first set, Sandy and Josh showed up. We couldn’t leave now.
Then I thought maybe we’ll stay until the end, but after the second set we found out they play until 1am on Fridays. We wound up dancing and having a great time. It was a fun way to spend our last night in Key West.
It was getting late and we wound up leaving around 12:30. I knew it was going to be a long travel day so it probably was a good idea.
We walked back for the last time down Duval to the Gardens hotel. I set my alarm for the following morning since we were planning on meeting Zack and Kai for breakfast like we usual do our last day.
Video of the band: https://youtu.be/B32khevJ1js
Saturday, July 10th – Leaving on a Jet Plane
I didn’t sleep that great. I never do the night before we have to leave. I tend to wake up frequently checking the clock and that’s what I did. So I really didn’t need to set the alarm on the clock. We got up around 8:30 and I was feeling the night before but after a shower it seemed to help.
We weren’t meeting Zack until 9:30 so we had time to gather the rest of our things for the trip home.
It was getting close to the time to meet, so we went down to Cuban Coffee Queen for our last cup of coffee. There wasn’t a line so the wait wasn’t long.
We walked down to Sarabeth’s and a few minutes later Zack and Kai showed up. It was still pretty humid out so we opted for the inside for breakfast. I noticed that the inside was redone. It used to be yellow, but now it is painted white with blue accents. Very nordic in away – it looked really nice and updated.
The waiter came out and read the specials. Yes specials for breakfast. I couldn’t believe how many things they had, including filet mignon eggs benedict. My husband ordered the candied spiced bacon for an appetizer for us to share. Everyone ordered off the regular menu and everything was really good.
Unfortunately I couldn’t eat that much because being out so late I wasn’t really hungry. Plus I was getting sad so that always kills my appetite.
After a nice breakfast we sad good and got my regular send off picture with Zack and Kai. It was great to see them as always and hope to see them again when we return in the fall.
We walked back to the Gardens and asked the front desk to call a taxi for a 11:45 am pickup. Our flight wasn’t until 1:30pm so it was plenty of time – plus we didn’t have any luggage to check.
Not before long it was that time to make the walk to the front of the hotel and wait for the taxi. The taxi showed up right on time. I think we had the same taxi driver before. She looked and sounded very familiar.
Once she dropped us off we walked in and the airport was packed. Thankfully once again we have TSA Pre so the line wasn’t as long. While we were waiting on line to go through security I looked at the flight times above on the monitor and noticed our flight was already delayed 10 minutes. Oh great I thought, here we go again.
We got through security without any issues (I remembered not to bring back a box of coasters this time). We made it to the lower level and practically every seat in the place was taken. We walked near the eating area and saw two familiar faces – Sandy and Josh! They had a flight a few minutes before ours, but we were able to chat for a little bit before they had to leave. It made the long wait go by pretty fast.
Then their flight was called to board so we said goodbye and wished them safe travels. Eventually there was an update on our flight that it was on its way, but once it landed they would have to clean it, etc. So we had probably another half hour or so being delayed.
It seemed like an eternity. Finally the ticket agent for United announced that they were ready for boarding – finally. We were in Group 1 so we walked outside and made the long walk to the plane. I still don’t understand why United is always the furthest plane on the tarmac.
We boarded the plane and soon we were on our way back home. The flight was not nearly as turbulent as our last trip. It was actually pretty tame. We wound up landing around 40 minutes later, so it wasn’t too bad.
I got in contact with our driver once we landed and met him curbside. It took us about an hour to get home and walked in the door around 6pm.
However, during our vacation we had some severe storms here ourselves in NJ. We had a tree of ours fall, but thankfully it didn’t cause any damage, but not something you want to see when you get home.
We were both tired but I always have to unpack and do laundry. My husband actually mowed the lawn too when we got home. Needless to say by the time we were done with what we had to do, we both slept very well that night.
Due to the storm we couldn’t do everything I wanted to do, but I am still happy that we decided to go. I will always appreciate going back to my happy place whenever we have the opportunity.
Key West is a place near and dear to my heart – is filled with special friends and great people a like. I always enjoy seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones.
Thank you for taking the time reading my blog….. until next time!
This would mark our 14th time to the St. John (15th to the Virgin Islands). We started going back in 2003 and fell in love with St. John right away. We were supposed to go back again last October but Hurricane Maria and Irma changed that. Thankfully the villa we we reserved was not damaged so we were able to keep our deposit with the owner and planned to return the following year. I wasn’t sure if it was too soon to return being that it was just over a year since the hurricanes hit and the island was still in recovery mode. After reading endless trip reports of people returning, I knew I couldn’t wait another year.
As our trip was approaching there was a storm system headed our way. It was remnants of a hurricane that crossed Mexico and was forecasted to go head to the mid-atlantic and create a N’oreaster. Instead of being excited for our vacation, I started to get a sense of doubt that we were not going to be able to go. Two days prior, I received a notice from United Airlines that it was recommended to change our flight being that we were flying out that morning the N’oreaster was supposed to be at its strongest. I thought about flying out a day earlier, but my husband had too many things he had to do before he was closing his business for a week. Then I was thinking about changing our flight to Sunday but the thought of losing a day of our vacation was unsettling. My husband convinced me that we should just wait it out and see what happens. So with fingers crossed we kept our original travel arrangements.
We woke up early to a rainy and windy morning. It wasn’t as bad as I thought and our car service arrived on time. As we drove further east, the rain and winds started to pick up. I was beginning to question our decision. We did make it to Newark airport and passed quickly through security. We were flying directly into St. Thomas via United Airlines. I checked the schedule of flights and noticed not one delay. I couldn’t believe it. We had some time so we checked into the United Club Lounge for a snack and much needed coffee.
It seemed like an eternity, but it was finally time to get to our gate. Once we got there we noticed there was no plane. My heart just sank. I checked the United App and noticed the plane that we were flying on was delayed. It was coming in from Jacksonville, Florida. I figured it was most likely due to the weather. Thankfully the plane was only delayed about 30 minutes and it did make it to our gate. Eventually we boarded the plane and were on our way. The flight was a bit bumpy during take off, but once we cleared the storm it was a calm flight. We wound up making up some time during the flight. Soon I could see St. Thomas and St. John through the window. I actually started to tear up a little because it looked so beautiful and I couldn’t believe that we were actually going to be there.
Once we landed we quickly departed the plane. It is always so nice to have carry on so you don’t have to wait for your luggage. A few other planes also had arrived so when we went through the airport there was someone playing steel drums and people offering samples of Cruzan Rum. The airport was alive and busy. It was such a happy thing to both hear and see. After we grabbed a shot, we waited for a taxi. Once the driver had enough people to fill up the van, we were on our way to Red Hook to catch the ferry. It was around 2:15 and didn’t think we were going to make the 3pm ferry. Luckily there were no cruise ships in port so traffic was minimal. As we got closer to Red Hook, the driver assured everyone we would make the 3pm ferry. Surprisingly he was right. 
Once we were dropped off, my husband paid the driver and grabbed our luggage, while I went to get tickets. Within a few minutes it was time to get on the ferry. I always choose to sit up top so I can see St. John come in to view. I had to get in contact with our villa manager so that she knew we were on our way. Since the villa was located very close to Cruz Bay, she gave us driving directions to meet her there.
Once we arrived at the dock we gathered our luggage and walked up to Bougainvillea Leasing to pick up our 4 door Jeep Wrangler. I wasn’t used to walking up the hill with our luggage that we had. Usually the villa manager drives us to pick up our jeep. It was a bit of a hike but we made it. Once we got our jeep we drove out to our villa. The villa was called Three Palms Villa located right next to Sea Shure Allure and Coconut Coast Villas. It was definitely a change for us. 
We quickly settled in and unpacked our things. I had ordered provisions from St. John Provisioning ahead of time so we had plenty of refreshments and snacks. We were both pretty tired from the travel day so we just decided to stay in that evening and kick back on the patio outside. I was so happy to be back in St. John, my other happy place. 
We heard that supposedly a new small hotel will take its place. It will be a prime location with great views of Cruz Bay.
We took a few moments before going back to the jeep and onto Hawksnest. We pulled into the parking lot and it was packed. We later found out that Hawksnest is a popular beach for locals especially on Sundays since it is very convenient for them to get to after church mass. 
Luckily we were able to find a spot and walked onto the beach. We noticed right away that the beach was much wider and a lot less shade. We found a nice spot to put our things and to relax for a while. It was hot and sunny. The water again looked amazing. 
We did notice though there wasn’t really any wind so it did make it a bit hot to sit out on the beach. We would take turns going into the water. I brought my snorkel gear and was eager to try it out, however the water was a bit too choppy that day and the visibility wasn’t great so I didn’t. It was still nice enough to go in and swim for a while. 
A few hours passed and we were getting pretty hot and needed a break from the sun. We walked back to the jeep and drove back towards Cruz Bay. We wanted to check out the new Tap Room so we made that our first stop. They did a really nice job and the bar is quite large and room. We ordered a couple of drinks and cooled off for a little while.
Then we realized that it was getting close to football time. We are avid Giant fans and knew the game was on at 1pm. They have been having a terrible season once again, but we still wanted to catch the game. We drove to the Wharfside and parked the jeep at Slim Man’s Parking Lot. 
The entire area of the Wharfside was redone, even down to the cement walkway. It looked really nice. However the Beach Bar, Joe’s Rum Hut and the area that once housed the Waterfront Bistro were all still under repair. 
The only are that looked like there was any progress was the Beach Bar. 
We were hoping it was going to be open when we arrived on St. John, but it looked like they still have a while to go. 
We walked over to High Tide which looked like it always has. We found a couple of seats at the bar with a good view of the television screens. The game was just starting so we ordered a couple of drinks. 
We stayed until about halftime as the Giants looked terrible once again. At least they views of Cruz Bay put me in a better mood then watching the game. We wanted to catch the rest of the game back at our villa so we paid our tab and drove back to Three Palms Villa. 
Our day trip to Jost Van Dyke was the next day so we didn’t want to be out that late. We figured we would go somewhere that had some sort of happy hour specials. Once we freshen up we drove back to town. We parked again at Slimman’s and walked toward Longboard. The place was packed and figured that we should try somewhere else. 
Then I remember reading that Rhumb Lines recently started doing Happy Hour as well. We saw the sign that they were open and that from 4-6pm they have specials but you have to sit at the bar. We didn’t have a problem with that and thought it sounded right up our alley. We walked in and the place was empty besides just one other person at the bar. I noticed that the back area of the restaurant was a lot more open now. I assumed that a lot of the vegetation most have gotten destroyed in the hurricane. However the place itself looked mostly the same as I remembered it. 
The catamaran picked us up over at the National Park Dock. It was nice and spacious. We all found spots on the boat where we could settle in to enjoy the sail over to Jost. It was another beautiful day. We noticed again there was no wind so it got quite hot on the boat. 
We passed by Caneel and again it was so sad to see. 
We eventually made it over to Jost. We had to check in to customs at Great Harbour first before going over to White Bay. We were able to take the dingy over so we stayed dry on our way over. Once we got the okay that we were all checked in we walked down to Foxy’s. 
I couldn’t get over how so much vegetation was gone. Most of the shops on the way were open but we just wanted to have a cold beverage at Foxy’s. When we walked down we noticed that Foxy himself was back on island. It was great to see him again. 
We enjoyed listening to him play a few songs while we had a drink. While we were sitting down a taxi came by and a lady asked us if we needed a ride. It turned out to be our friend Joan who runs Sugar and Spice, a little luncheonette place on Great Harbour. I was so happy to see her, because I wound up bringing a couple of t-shirts for her that I designed for Sugar and Spice. Unfortunately I left them on the boat, but I knew Leon Miller another friend of ours was now bartending at the Soggy Dollar Bar so I told her I would give them to Leon. She thanked us and told us to come by her shop, but we knew everyone wanted to head on over to White Bay so we said our goodbyes and told her we would see her again next year. 
The water felt so good since it was so hot out. Not before long we all made it to the Soggy Dollar Bar and saw our friend Leon. It was nice to see him again. I asked him to give the t-shirts to Joan since we wouldn’t be back at Great Harbour. 
We spent the afternoon talking and relaxing. It was a fun day. 
Our usual tradition after spending a day out on Jost is to walk on over to Margarita Phil’s for a to go order. 
We weren’t sure if they were open, but when we walked on over I noticed a few people sitting outside. We walked in and ordered a couple of margaritas while we were waiting for our order. 
Once our order was ready we walked back to pick up our jeep and drove back to the villa. I was really hungry by the time we got back. We sat inside and had our dinner. It was tasty and hit the spot. I had shrimp enchiladas and my husband had a mix of a few tacos and enchiladas. A day out on the water always knocks me out. I think I was up only for about an hour after I had our dinner. Needless to say we went to sleep early.
I wasn’t sure if we were getting bit overnight or while we were outside in the evening, but they were quite bad during our stay. Plus with the lack of wind it didn’t help keep the noseeums or mosquitos away. I did find that if you use tea tree oil, it does help a lot with the itchiness. 
I did try to snorkel around but didn’t see much besides a sting ray and a few fish. 
It was nice time relaxing and swimming in Trunk Bay. We noticed more people come on to the beach as the day went on. 
It was amazing to see how it came back so quickly. They did such a great job rebuilding the place. Normally when we would go on lobster night the place would be packed so that was the reason behind having the 5:30 reservation. 
When we walked in there just one other couple waiting. We were seated along the balcony which I always love watching the sunset. 
We both had the lobster special but to start I had the red snapper ceviche and my husband had the fried calamari. I was really hungry at this point so everything tasted so good. Then our 1 and 1/2 lb. lobsters came out. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to finish it, but I did. The lobster was really fresh. 
There was a guy playing guitar and it was a fun way to end the evening. 
We only stayed for one before going back to the villa. I think we were asleep by 8:30.
It was a little bit on the cooler side, but once I grabbed my snorkel gear I warmed up a bit. I didn’t go out too far but did see a nice variety of fish. Earlier we saw a shark swim by along the shore so I was a bit apprehensive to go all the way out and stayed near the shore. 
We had a nice time chatting for a bit before we had enough beach time for the day. We said our goodbyes and would meet up the next day at Maho for a Forum Beach Day. 
We walked up to Woody’s and found a couple of seats outside. They were right in the sun so it was hot but powered through it with a refreshing rum punch. 
We managed to squeak our way past all everyone dressed up and into Greengos. We walked in and it looked like a lot of other people had the same idea. We were able to find a couple seats at the bar.
We contemplated going to check out Tap & Still since they had the Halloween Party but we were tired at that point and just went back to the villa.
I always find the Maho Bay overlook so peaceful. It was so beautiful and green. It is amazing how there was something so tragic that happened in just over a year ago.
They crossed the road and then came down to the beach. Then we spotted Steve and Adrian who we met the previous day at Francis. 
We couldn’t believe how many donkeys were in the group. I think we counted at least 10 and even one of them was a darker brown color. 
I took a ton of pictures of them on the beach. Then I realized that some of them were drinking the salt water. I didn’t think that they did drink it but it was pretty amazing to see all of them at once. 
Usually when we go to a beach on St. John it is just the two of us, but this was so much fun. We had a great time meeting everyone and just hanging out.
Kelly and Rick that we met on the charter to Jost also showed up with something I have never seen before. It was a raft that had a bull in it. It was hilarious watching everyone trying to get on the thing. I wasn’t about to but did think about it for only about a second. We had so much fun that afternoon. 
I think it was the longest amount of time we had ever been on the beach. Eventually we started to feel the sun and I felt like I was overheating a bit even in the water. So we wound packing up our things and thanking everyone for a great time. 
We immediately saw a few peacocks walking around. It was so strange to see. Then we noticed that the studio was open so we walked in. I wanted to meet the owner’s mother but unfortunately she wasn’t there. We walked around and it was a cute little studio. I wound up buying a calendar and a beautiful set of coasters of hand painted sea turtles.
We walked down to a restaurant I always was intrigued about trying, The Terrace Restaurant. We walked in and it had a nice atmosphere where you can see the sunset setting over Cruz Bay. We sat down at the bar and were welcomed by the friendly bartender. I ordered a beet martini which sounds very odd, but it was really good and not too sweet. My husband had their pepper olive martini. While we were enjoying our cocktails we agreed that we should come back for our last night and have dinner there. 
We thanked the staff and walked down to La Tapa. They were just opening up so there were just a few people inside. 
We walked up and we were seated at the tiny bar. I picked out a nice bottle of red wine to go with our dinner.
It was definitely a different dining experience then sitting outside, but it felt cozy. 
After a few cups of coffee drove to town and parked our jeep. We walked up to Connections and went inside. The nice lady at the counter told us to find a recyclable box that was stacked next to the back door. I couldn’t believe my husband found a box that fit everything perfectly. It took a few minutes but all and all it was very easy to do. She told us that it would ship out the following day and that I would get an email confirmation. Perfect! (and as a side note it only took two days for our snorkel gear to be delivered back home). 
I checked my phone and saw that the Sun Dog Cafe serves brunch which is just what we needed. We walked to the bar and grabbed a few seats. No one was there for a while but weren’t in a rush. Eventually an older gentleman comes up to us and apologizes. 
Apparently there was a mix up with the staff and he was the owner. He started to set up the bar to get things ready. We ordered two screwdrivers which we later realized they have endless screwdrivers, bloody marys and mimosas. That could be dangerous. As we were drinking the screwdrivers we realized they were made with pineapple juice and not orange juice. It was still good but we told the bartender/owner because he was about to make a mimosa for another customer having breakfast. He apologized and wound up buying our drinks which was really nice. Then another guy showed up to relieve the owner until they could get someone else to show up for the day. It was definitely entertainment for us. 
For breakfast I had the huervos rancheros and my husband had the breakfast quesadillas which were huge. I couldn’t believe. We both enjoyed our breakfast – it was a nice surprise. Eventually a waitress that works at Sun Dog Cafe showed up to bar tend for the remainder of the morning/afternoon. She told us she never bar tended before, just waitressed so we actually helped her how to make some of the mixed drinks. It was pretty funny. We probably could have stayed longer but didn’t want to keep drinking so we wished her luck and were on our way. 
We ordered a couple beer and not before long we saw David and Becky that we met the previous day at Maho Bay. 
It was nice to talk to them and eventually Rick, Christine and Brenda arrived. What we originally thought was going to be a drink and go wound up being a fun afternoon. Everyone decided to skip the beach that day since we were all out at Maho for a while the day before. 
We could not have asked for a better last day on St. John spending it with new friends. It was getting close to the time we had dinner reservations so we said our goodbyes and drove back to the villa. 
We had early reservations at the Terrace Restaurant so when we walked in there was just one other table. We were seated in the corner on the terrace. 
It was the perfect setting for our last dinner on St. John. 
For appetizers I decided to go with the oysters rockefeller and my husband choose the escargot. We each shared them and they were so good. Then for dinner I ordered the stuffed prawns served with risotto while my husband had their signature mac and cheese with truffle oil and wild mushrooms. I sampled his mac and cheese and it was so rich but so delicious. The prawns that I ordered were cooked perfectly. 
We were supposed to meet the rest of the group there but I knew we were on the earlier side. After we got through half of our cocktails I was just too tired to stay out any later. I wanted to see everyone last time but I just couldn’t do it. So we wound up leaving and going back to the villa.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog…. until next time!
We woke up to a beautiful morning. Ironically a heat wave was headed to the tri-state area while we were traveling to Key West with cooler temperatures. We arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport and breezed through security with TSA Pre. It is definitely worth doing since you don’t have to remove your shoes and whatnot, even though lines are long they move so quickly.
When we got to the Gardens I saw Jim (the general manager) and he welcomed us back. Check in was quick and easy. 
We unpacked our things and made our way onto Duval. It is always such a great feeling making that turn onto the street. Last time we were in Key West back in April I wanted to capture the walk on my camera but unfortunately the battery died. I replaced the battery for this trip and was able to capture it finally! 
My first drink of choice was a Moscow Mule. It definitely hit the spot since it was so cold. We just sat there for a while just taking it all in that we were back again in Key West. No matter how many times we come back, I still just get so happy. 
I remembered that our friend Gabriel Wright plays at Captain Tony’s. So after our drinks, we walked down to Captain Tony’s. He was on break so we were able to chat with him before he went back to play. We ordered a couple of beers and sat there for a while. 
I kept checking my watch because I wanted to be sure we would have enough time to see Zack Seemiller at Rick’s. (As a side note, I have been doing graphic design work for Zack for the past several years). It was about 2:30 and we said good by to Gabriel and made the short walk to Rick’s. It was funny because again I wanted to surprise Zack that we were back in town, so I walked in behind a group of girls that were making their way in the same time. I then just stood there for a second until he recognized it was me. I had pulled off another surprise! It was great to see him again. 
We grabbed a couple of seats at the outside bar and listened to him play until his set was done. Unfortunately Zack was playing up the Keys later that evening so we didn’t have much time to talk to him before he had to leave. Luckily he was still going to be in town so we would see him again at Hog’s Breath on Monday. 
We stayed for a while listening to Carl play. It was a lot of fun. It was getting late and I definitely reached my limit. Luckily there was a cab right outside the Tuna that my husband grabbed. It wasn’t that long of a walk back but it probably wouldn’t be a pretty walk back. Once we got to the Gardens it was time to get some sleep after a long first day.
I decided to give it a try and my husband had the regular Cuban American. It was surprisingly very good and in a way calmed my stomach. With our coffees in our hand, we walked down to Blue Heaven. It was just around 9:00 am so we didn’t have to wait for a table. 
After a quick stop at the Gardens we walked down to Peppers. They weren’t open yet, so we walked on over to the Schooner Wharf for something to drink. 
It was a little early for a drink, but at this point why not? You’re in Key West! It was tougher then I thought to get the first drink down, but I managed. I looked at my watch and saw that Peppers should be open at that point. We paid our tab and walked back down to Peppers. 
This is another one of our go to places to just sit down and enjoy the views of the water. Plus the people that work there are very friendly. We sat down for a bit wound up catching the end of the World Cup came and I believe Russia won. After we caught the ending of the game, we made our way to Hog’s Breath to see Gabriel Wright again. 
When we walked in he was a break again, so we found a couple of seats before he went back on. Once he started, we made a few requests and enjoyed listening to him play. 
His parents came by, along with his fiancé. So we all were talking and having a great time. We wound up staying for a while.
I asked the bartender Jerry to change the one channel so we could catch the end of the Nascar race. My driver, Harvick didn’t win, but it was still fun to be able to see it.
A new musician by the name of Ike Kanakanu, who was scheduled to play at 5:00 pm walked up to me and asked me if I was from St. John, since I was wearing my High Tide shirt from there (it’s a well know restaurant in St. John). I told him that we go there all the time and we started chatting. He used to live there for a couple of years, he was originally from Hawaii. He was a really nice guy. I also gave him my business card in case he was looking for any graphics work that I could do for him. It was time for him to start and we stayed a bit longer listening to him play. He was really good. Again, we probably stayed too long but we were having fun. 
At this point we were getting pretty hungry and I knew my husband wanted to go back to Berlin’s for dinner. It was time for us to get back and freshened up for dinner.
We couldn’t stay too long because we needed to refuel ourselves with much needed food. We said our good byes to him and wished a safe trip.
It was perfect – we were the only ones in there. The bartender Gage remembered us from last time. I ordered the Oysters Rockefeller and my husband had the Tuna Tartar. For our entrees I had the yellowtail snapper and my husband had the prime rib. I actually had a couple bites of the prime rib, even though I normally don’t eat red meat and it was delicious. Everything we had was perfect. It is a pricey place to eat, but the food is always really good.
We met up with our friend Joe Cortner who we usually see there. We sat down and talked to him for a bit. We told him we would meet up with him again at some point.
We made the walk down Duval to La De Ta. The sun was quiet strong so we made sure to stay on the side of the road that had the shade. We sat down at the bar and ordered breakfast. The bartender Kathy was really sweet and turns out her boyfriend used to bar tended at the Gardens as well that we knew. Small world. For breakfast I just had scrambled eggs with sour cream and chives and my husband had the regular american breakfast. Their smoked maple pepper bacon was delicious. We enjoyed the breakfast very much and noticed it didn’t take as long as last time we were there for our orders. After breakfast we walked back to the Gardens to relax for a bit before going back out on Duval. 
We lucked out when we got in there and were able to find two seats available near where they were playing. We had such a great time just listening to them play. In fact we stayed until the end of the show. 
I also saw on the Tuna schedule that Joal Rush was in town and was playing at the Tuna. So after Zack and Kai’s show, we made our way back down Duval to the Gardens. 
After a quick shower and feeling rejuvenated, we made it to the Tuna. I wasn’t too hungry since it was so hot that I figured we would just order some light fare and listen to Joal. 
I always enjoy their fish dip there, which is more or less like tuna fish salad. It was the perfect thing for me to have. My husband had ordered the coconut shrimp appetizer. I also sampled several, if not half the order, and then he had a burger.
The rains did finally subside and Joal came back on for a few more songs. Then it was time to see Carl play. It was a fun night. We wound up taking a cab back since it was easier then trying to make the walk back.
They had a nice spread of scrambled eggs, sausage, bagels, fruit and several other pastries.
Soon it was time for Billy to pick us up. He gave us a call when he was in front of the hotel and soon were on our way to Garrison Bight Marina. He also loaded up the boat with refreshments so we didn’t have to stop before we got on the boat.
It was probably only about a 30 minute ride out through the Gulf and once we got to Snipes, I could see why she was taking her group there. It was just gorgeous. 
We had been out to the sandbar before, but on the Atlantic side, not the Gulf. 
We jumped into the water and the sand was just so soft. The water was only waist high so we walked on over to the beach. 
It was really cool to see how large the beach was and the birds flying around the little island. I was looking for some shells but couldn’t find the perfect one for a necklace, but still it was really nice to be out there and some place new that we haven’t been before.
Billy anchored the boat and swam around for a bit. We noticed more boats coming in having the same idea. Apparently on weekends the place can get pretty crowded with locals and other boating trips. 
It was pretty amazing to go through the mangroves and seeing so many birds like blue herons and other wildlife. It was really beautiful and peaceful. We then anchored again for a bit just to relax. 
We noticed in the distance a pretty large storm over Key West. So when it was time for us to make it back, Billy took us back a longer way, but we completely avoided the storm.
We made it back to the marina without ever getting rain on us. We thanked Billy for a great trip I and suggested that he do that trip again with other people in the future since it was so beautiful and different. 
Once Billy dropped us back off at the Gardens we needed to shower. Then I remember Zack was playing at Willie T’s so we walked down Duval to see him again. His son Kai was there again so we listened to both of them play for a bit. 
If I didn’t look it up on my phone, I probably would have passed the place.
We walked in and saw Danny right away. He sat us at the bar and it was perfect. I looked around and the place was tiny. 
I was really excited too because everything they serve there is so fresh. They don’t even have a refrigerator. Everything is on ice. I had to try their oysters on the half shell for an appetizer and I was so glad I did. They were probably the best oysters I have ever had. My husband had their tuna tartare brulee. For dinner I had their fresh local snapper served over pearl couscous and my husband had their pasta dish that had clams, shrimp, calamari and local fish.
We sat down and chatted for a bit. It is always a nice way to start our day. We wished Joe a happy 4th and walked down Duval and onto Greene St. to the Breakfast Club Too. I remembered last time we were there I saw their breakfast being served in a cast iron skillet and later found out they were called rostis. I made sure I ordered one of them this time. Once Zack and Kai arrived we were seated at a table inside since it was really warm out.
I wound up ordering the chorizo poblano rostis which was very good but also very filling. It was nice to just enjoy a great breakfast with our friends. Zack then mentioned if we ever been to Stock Island and we never had been. He offered to take us around the Keys the next morning for a little tour of the other keys. I was so excited!! I told him without and
It was still nice to sit at the bar and just gaze at the water nearby. We were going out on the Sebago Appledore Star later on that evening to catch the fireworks so we had to be mindful of how much we were drinking that day. 
We walked in and I asked one of the bartenders if Al was working. Unfortunately he was off so we just kept on walking. It was probably just as well, because it would have been too hot to sit in the sun on the pier. 
We walked over to El Meson De Pepe to have one of their overpriced mojitos – but they are really good. 
We walked down to First Flight and it was another good choice, since they have a nice shaded area to sit. There was a guy playing guitar which was perfect to just relax for a bit. 
The Yankee game was on, so we made our next stop Jack Flats. We had not been in there for quite some time. The place is large and there are a ton of large screen TVs, so if you want to catch your favorite sport team, this is the place to do it. 
Then it was time to get something to eat. We said goodbye to Zack and Kai who were also playing later at the Casa Marina. I wanted to see them play there, but I had already booked the sail. 
We were still a little hungry so we walked over to the Half Shell and ordered a dozen oysters. 
They were so good that we ordered another dozen. It probably wasn’t the best idea, because afterwards I didn’t feel that great. Luckily we had some time to just sit and wait before the boat. 
By the time we were able to board the boat I was feeling much better. We got on the boat and it was so hot. The sun was beating down on us and there was no shade since the sails were down which is to be expected. We had to wait for a few people running late which really annoyed me. 
Finally they showed up and we were on our way. I thought I was going to melt on the boat, but once we got on the water the breezes picked up and it was just beautiful.
They took us out not too far from Key West where we watched the sun set into the water. Then the crew put out this great display of food. 
I wasn’t hungry and neither was my husband. I knew they had food on the boat but couldn’t have waited that long to eat. 
The fireworks were amazing and a it was so cool to see it from the water. We did a similar trip a couple years ago and it was enjoyable to do it again. It is a long trip but it was a lot of fun especially since they only have 16 people on the boat. I would also recommend this trip for the 4th of July to see the fireworks. The crew was very nice and accommodating as well.
It was nearing 10:00 pm and the fireworks ended. We sailed back to the marina and thanked the crew for a great time. It was a long day and being out on the water always knocks you out. So we just grabbed a couple of waters and walked back to the Gardens and called it a night.
It was another beautiful morning. We did our usual stop at Cuban Coffee Queen and saw Joe again. 
I knew we were going out with Zack and to the Hogfish Bar and Grill and didn’t want to have anything for breakfast. I knew if I did, I wouldn’t be hungry for lunch. My husband wound up ordering one of their egg sandwiches and it did look good. We just sat for a while talking about what we did the day before. We said goodbye to Joe and then went back to the Gardens to relax for a bit.
My husband just read on the porch and I started to work on my blog. Around 11:00am Zack showed up and we were ready for the Zack tour of the Keys! I was so excited!! 
Our first stop was Five Brothers for a cup of coffee and few bottles of water. Soon we were on our way up the Keys. Before we got on A1A, Zack drove us around a few back roads telling us some stories which was really interesting. 
The next stop was Boca Chica where the Naval Air Station is located to see where their training. We got out of the van and walked around just for a few minutes. 
There was a lot of seaweed washed up on the small beach so the smell was not very pleasant. 
Zack first took us to the new part of the marina, called Stock Island Marina Village and then over to where Hogfish Bar and Grill was. We walked around the pier for a few and it was intriguing. He referred it to what Key West looked like and felt like years ago – the old Key West. 
Then it was time to grab a bite to eat. 
I ordered the fried hogfish tacos and my husband had the fried hogfish and chips. The hogfish was really good. 
I wanted to try the sandwich but wasn’t too sure how I would like the fish with swiss cheese and mushrooms. I am not a huge fan of cheese and fish together.
Soon it was time to get back to Key West. We then had one last stop that Zack wanted to show us, the Casa Marina Resort where he just played with his son on the 4th of July. We parked and walked into the lobby. The place was impressive. I couldn’t believe how big it was. 
It was gorgeous, but to me it didn’t feel like Key West. It felt like it could be a resort anywhere in the Caribbean. Don’t get me wrong it was beautiful, but would rather stay at a place such as the Gardens where you get the true feel of Key West. 
We walked towards the Green Parrot. We decided to stop in for a drink since we hadn’t gone in yet. The place was a bit more crowded then usual but we were able to find two seats at the bar.
Once Zack and Kai were done we said our good byes and told John that we would be back. We went back to the Gardens to freshen up again and tried to decide where to go for dinner.
We were both hungry again so we left Willie T’s and walked down Duval once again. We were thinking about the Roof Top but wanted to try something new. Their food is always good, but they haven’t changed their menu in a while. I remembered seeing on TripAdvisor that the Red Fish Blue Fish had decent reviews.
We walked in and sat at the bar. We ordered a couple of drinks. The bartender was friendly but she was really slow. We were ready to order, but a bunch of people kept walking in to order drinks to go. At this point I thought maybe we made a wrong decision?
After a while she was finally able to take our order. For an appetizer we shared the fried calamari which was decent. Then for dinner I decided to go with the fried whole snapper and my husband ordered the sirloin. We didn’t have to wait very long for our entrees to come out considering how long we had to wait to order. The fish looked better then it tasted. I think it was fried too long because it was pretty try and didn’t have much flavor. I tried some of the mango beurre blanc sauce that was served on the side, but that didn’t add much to the dish. My husband’s sirloin was just okay. All and all I probably wouldn’t go back there, but now I can at least say we tried. 
We walked in and Joal Rush was finishing his set. Not before long Carl was back on stage. Kai, Zack’s son, also stopped by to catch Carl. 
It wound up being an interesting evening because the lights kept going out. Eventually they got everything back up and running and we had a great time listening to Carl play. 
And it is always nice to see his wife Erin behind the bar who always takes care of us. 
Time flew by and we realized it was getting pretty late. 
We headed out probably around midnight or so and walked back to the Gardens.
We wound up sleeping in for a bit since we didn’t have any plans for our last full day. Where did the time go? The week began at a nice and relaxing pace, but before I knew it, we were leaving the next day. We got up and made our first usual stop at Cuban Coffee Queen. We chatted with Joe for a bit and he suggested Bagatelle’s for breakfast. We had not been there for a while decided to give it a try again.
We walked in and it was nice and quiet. We sat outside on the porch which is always great for people watching. Our server was very attentive and friendly. I ordered a mimosa and my husband ordered a screwdriver. 
I decided to go with the huervos rancheros and my husband had the regular breakfast of two eggs with a few sides. It didn’t take long before our breakfast was served and it was really good. After the dinner from the night before it was a relief that we made the right decision for breakfast. 
We walked down Duval and saw that our favorite outside seats at Rick’s were available. We waved at Zack and sat down and listened to him for a while. During his show I guess another fan of Zack’s, came up to me. She recognized that I was with one that works on all the ads with Zack. She wanted to meet me and complimented my work which I thought was really sweet.
Soon it was time to make our next move. We said goodbye again to Zack and Kai and hoped to meet up later that night. My husband and I were needed a quick bite to eat so we walked back to First Flight and sat down at one of the high top tables near the bar. We ordered a couple Moscow Mules and that probably wasn’t the best decision. They are very good, but strong. 
We ordered a basket of fries that was served with an amazing tasty cajun aioli. I getting really hot sitting there because the sun was beating down on me. It got to the point that we had to leave and get back to the Gardens to cool off with a shower. I knew i was overheating at that point. 
We walked back and freshened up again. I felt so much better and rejuvenated in a way. Before going to dinner we sat down at the bar at the Gardens. We saw a couple sitting there and we started chatting. It turned out they were from Austria. They were so friendly and nice. They had not been to Key West before, so we were telling them places to go. The husband was in a band so of course we suggested for them to go see Caffeine Carl at the Tuna that night. We said that we would hopefully meet them out later depending on how we felt.
For dinner, we heard from several locals that the old Mcconnell’s Irish Pub And Grill closed and a new placed opened up in its place called the Old Towne Tavern and the chef formally worked at Blue Heaven. We walked in and grabbed two seats at the bar. (As a side note, my husband tends to prefer sitting at the bar vs. a table. I used to be a table person but now I am so used to it that I prefer it as well. We looked over the menu and the first thing that intrigued us was their pork belly appetizer. I wasn’t starving so I decided to have their superfood salad which consisted of kale, mixed greens, quinoa, beets, almonds, citrus, sprouts, orange beets vinaigrette. I think I was craving something healthy. My husband decided to go with the shrimp scampi flatbread.
So of course it was decided that we would return once again to the Tuna. It was pretty crowded this time, being it was a Friday night. 
We had to wait a few minutes, but finally a couple of people left where we were able to get a couple of seats. Not before long I saw Zack’s son Kai again. He sat down and we were able to chat for a bit before Carl went on. While we were talking, a fellow TripAdvisor Forumite came up to me. It turned out to be FLBoy22 who recognized me from my blog. I thought it was so funny that he recognized both myself and my husband. It was a pleasure meeting him. 
Once Carl started to play we saw two people walk in and it was the couple from Austria. They spotted us and we were able to find a spot to hang out and listen to Carl. As we were sitting there I looked over and then I saw Zack. I couldn’t believe he showed up! I was so excited to see him!! 
I walked over and we were able to talk for a little bit, but it was loud and crowded. He didn’t stay too long, but it still made my night. We were going to meet the next morning to for breakfast before we had to go to the airport. The couple from Austria wound up leaving before us and so did Kai.
We eventually woke up around 9:00am and packed up the rest of our things. I walked into the office at the Gardens to let Jim know we needed a taxi for 11:30am to take us to the airport. I also had him reserve our return stay next year, I figured that was the best way to lessen the sadness of leaving Key West.
I got a hold of Zack and we decided to meet up at Sarabeth’s since it wasn’t too far from the Gardens. We were able to get a table inside which was much needed because it was another hot day. Kai also joined us for breakfast. We all kind of joked about the mugs that the coffee is served in. They are huge and take up a lot of the table and since they are so large, the coffee doesn’t stay hot that long – not sure why they serve coffee that way. We had a great time just talking for a bit. I didn’t eat too much of my breakfast because I was really sad. I always find it hard to eat the day we are leaving.
We walked back to the Gardens to grab our luggage. Right before we were leaving we saw the couple from Austria again. We thanked them for their nice gesture, and told them to have a great rest of their vacation. The taxi showed up right on time. It turned out the driver used to work at M&M Mars which is located right in the town where my husband’s auto repair shop is located (and he works on cars as well from M&M’s). We thought how ironic is that? She was really nice and made the ride back to the airport nice and pleasant.
Until next time…. thank you for taking the time to read my blog!
Once again we were making our way back to Key West. On our way to the airport I had to think back to myself how many times have we been to Key West since 2006? I couldn’t believe it when I counted 18 times! And this time we were lucky enough to spend a Saturday to Saturday stay in Key West. After getting the chance to visit Key West 3 times last year, I thought that I wouldn’t be as excited to return. However, that wasn’t the case. It seems as though every time we come down to visit, it gets harder and harder to leave.
Eventually we departed and we actually made up some time in the air. It seemed like forever to me, but then I finally started to see Key West come into sight once again. 
I was just so happy! I was also thinking how a great friend of mine, Zack Seemiller, who I have been doing graphic design work for several years now, had not idea we were coming down for the week. I wanted to surprise him like I have done in the past. 
Once we landed and got off the plane, it felt so amazing to feel the warm sunshine beaming down on us. My husband and I had carry-on luggage so we were able to get off the plane right away and grab one of the first taxis available. I always love the ride along A1A towards old town. I don’t mind it so much on the way back to the airport, but the way there brings a smile to face. Not before long, I saw the yellow wall that surrounds the Gardens Hotel. We have been staying there every time we come to Key West. As an added bonus I redid their logo a couple years ago and now you can see it everywhere throughout the hotel which is so gratifying. 
Surprisingly our room was ready and we were able to unpack all our things. 
We immediately got out of our winter clothes and changed into our warm weather clothes which is one of the best feelings. We left the hotel and walked down towards to Duval Street. My husband and I always joke about how we look forward to that first step onto Duval and turning right. 
We used to always to stop at Willie T’s for our first drink, but it was a bit too crowded. So we continued our way down to Duval and just took in all the sights again. It was good to be back “home”. As we were walking we realized that one our friends Al was working at Sunset Pier that day. Since it was such a beautiful day I thought it was the perfect spot to grab our first drink and look at the water. We walked in and saw Al and said hello. He welcomed us back and brought us out a couple of mojitos for us. Finally the reality of being back to Key West was settling in. It was a great feeling. 
We had more people to see, so we didn’t stay too long. 
Our next stop was Captain Tony’s to see our friend Gabriel Wright play. We walked in and he gave us his usual nod hello. It was a bit crowded, but we were able to find a couple of bar seats. 
We each ordered a couple of beers and listened to Gabriel play for a bit. Time was passing by kind of quickly and I noticed it was nearing 3pm and I knew Zack was only playing at Rick’s until 4. My husband paid the tab and we walked back onto Duval. As we walked into Rick’s, Zack immediately recognized my husband and not me. He blew the surprise! I was a bit disappointed, but it was all good – it was great to see him again! 
He had another show after Rick’s, so once he was done playing he couldn’t stay long. He did mentioned that he was going to be working on his house the next day and to swing by. 
When we left Rick’s we noticed that the old Lazy Gecko is now called Duval Central. The outside facade looks the same, but we wanted to see what they did with the inside. Once we walked in, the layout was similar as far as the bar being in the same location, but it is completely different as far as the look and feel. It was nice, but it could have been a place anywhere. The Lazy Gecko had that old Key West feel. We did sit down and had a drink and noticed that it is now smoke free which may be ideal for people getting away from the cigarette smoke at the other bars. 
We didn’t have dinner reservations at Deuce’s Off the Hook until 7pm, so we had a chance to have a cocktail at the Garden’s bar. 
Jim, the general manager was there so it gave us a chance to talk to him for a few. It was then time to get freshened up for our dinner reservation. Deuce’s is literally right behind the Gardens Hotel so it doesn’t take much time to get there, which makes it an ideal place to have dinner on our first night. 
We finally made it back to the Gardens and it was time for much needed sleep.
Our morning routine was after freshening up was to grab a couple of coffees at Cuban Coffee Queen. 
I love their coffee there – especially their Cuban American blend. I love it so much that I order it online and have it shipped home. 
We walked over the location right off Duval and saw a familiar face, Joe! We met Joe a couple years ago at the Galleon. It was nice to see him. We sat down and talked to him before we had to make our way to the Margaritaville Resort (formerly the Westin) to catch the ferry to Sunset Key.
We walked down to where the ferry was docked. 
The majority of people sat on the outside part of the boat, but we opted to sit in the cool air conditioned part. Even though it is a small boat, the ride over is reminiscent (to me) of taking the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. It only takes about 5-10 minutes to cross over to Sunset Key. Once we were docked, we walked over to be seated. I did request a table outside on the sand and we were seated at the perfect location. 
It was just so beautiful to sit out there and enjoy the view. It again, reminds me of being on a Caribbean island somewhere. 
My husband and I both ordered the lobster benedict. It was a little on the pricey side, but being it was Easter and on vacation why not? I am glad we did, because it was delicious. 
We also took a few pictures, thanks to our very nice server. 
It was a nice way to spend Easter brunch. 
Then I remembered that Zack was working on his house and we told him we would stop by. So we finished our drinks and told Miguel that we would stop by and see him the next day. We made a quick stop at the Garden’s before walking down towards Zack’s house. It wasn’t that far of a walk. 
We walked in and also saw that Zack’s son, Kai was there and his friend Tim. It was fun to see them again. 
They showed us around and what they were working on. It looked like a lot of work, but I am sure once it is complete it will look great. 
We didn’t want to stay to long so that they could get back to work. Kai was playing sunset that night so I told him we would see him later. 
We left the house and started to make our way towards the Bight, at least that is what we thought. We wound walking all the way to Palm Ave. and realized we made a wrong turn. Eventually we found Eaton St. and we were able to get back on track. We were both pretty hot and thirsty at this point so we stopped at the Galleon Sunset Tiki Bar. 
We noticed that they did fix the pier and walk way that was damaged from Hurricane Irma since the last time we were there. It is such a great place to sit and have a cold drink with the view of the water. 
I am always surprised not more people know about it. I think people don’t realize it is open to the public. 
We walked back to the Gardens and decided to have a light dinner at the Smokin’ Tuna before heading towards Mallory Square. We stopped in and our two favorite seats were available. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share. I always enjoy their tuna fish dip. 
There was a singer there Kristen McNamara and she had a great voice – its another reason why we always enjoy stopping at the Smokin’ Tuna – always good music. 
We also noticed that the bridge between Margaritaville and Mallory Square was also fixed. Luckily Mallory Square wasn’t too crowded (maybe because it was Easter), so we didn’t have to wait on line to order a couple of green things. 
We found where Kai was playing and listened to him while the sun was setting. 
It was a beautiful sunset even though it was partially going behind Sunset Key. 
We stayed for a bit before heading back to the Gardens Hotel. 
Unfortunately they went on earlier and were done for the night. Just as well, it was time to pack it in for the night.
We woke up to another picture perfect day. We even caught Misha, who teaches a yoga class at the Gardens in the morning 3 times a week. 
Our server was very attentive so we didn’t weight long for our breakfast. My husband had the sausage benedict and I had a couple eggs with bacon and their multi grain bread. The breakfast was very good as always and even noticed that my husband’s eggs for the benedict were cooked perfectly. We have had previous experiences where the eggs tend to be underdone to both our liking, but this time everything was cooked spot on. 
We sat at the bar and I ordered a painkiller made with Cruzan rum which I prefer over Pusser’s. Disappointingly, it was not the right call. It was just too sweet and I couldn’t drink it. My husband had a beer and I realized that is what I should had ordered – all well. It was still nice to check out the Schooner Wharf and see the locals come and go and talk about what they did for Easter.
I was curious to try their Key Lime Margarita. I noticed that the size of the drink was still on the smaller side as compared to how they used to be and the price was $12. 
I tried it and it was awful. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was but it just wasn’t right. At that price I persevered and finished the drink. It was a struggle but I managed to do it. At this point I was determined to stick with beer wherever the next place took us. Then I finally realized after the fact, there was NO lime/key lime juice in it! 
While we were hanging out, a familiar face walked in, it was Joe! We thought it was funny that we actually did run into him.
It was a fun afternoon listening to them play and hanging out with everyone. 
Hog’s Breath never used to be one of my favorite places to go to, but with great music and friends – it is a lot of fun. After Zack and Kai finished their show, I had to get the obligatory photos with them before they left. 
And another… 
I mentioned to Zack and Tim that maybe we could meet up the next morning for breakfast. I remembered that there is this new restaurant called the Breakfast Club Too that used to be at the old Chicago’s location that maybe we could check out. So we made tentative plans and headed out. 
So we left Rick’s and finally made it to the Gardens. 
I checked the Smokin’ Tuna schedule and saw that Caffeine Carl was playing again. 
Due to the fact that the Tuna is one of our favorite places, we didn’t hesitate to go back again for some food and music. 
We probably should have just stayed at the Gardens and/or found a quiet place to grab something to eat, but we stayed because we were having a lot of fun and even Kai stopped by to say hello. 
I think we overstayed my window, because I was getting really tired. We said our goodbyes and walked down Charles St. to Duval and my husband suggested that we should take a cab back. It was a good idea because I couldn’t see myself trying to dodge all the people on Duval to get to the hotel.
I love just walking around the Bight and seeing all the boats getting ready to out for the day. 
We were on schedule to go out with our friend Billy for sunset. I reached out to him and he reassured me that we were good to go, but that a friend of his was borrowing his boat for the day, but would have it back in time for our trip. He said he would pick us up at the hotel around 5pm, which was perfect for us. 
We then walked over to The Breakfast Club Too. It looked really inviting from the outside. We walked in and we were the first to arrive. 
We told the hostess that we would just grab a seat at the bar and wait for them. The atmosphere of the restaurant is impressive. I never was in it when it was Chicagos but it is a decent size place. Once everyone else arrived we were seated at a table near the outside part of the restaurant. It was a fun morning just hanging out and eating a good breakfast. 
Everyone enjoyed what they ordered. I would definitely recommend checking out this place. 
On a side note: I recently just got a FitBit and could see how far we would walk each day. We would probably average between 5 and 6 miles a day, sometimes more. 
Feeling the sun coming down, we were both getting thirsty. We remembered that Al was working again at the Sunset Pier so we stopped down there to see him. It was perfect early afternoon to sit and enjoy the views from Sunset Pier.
While we were listening to him, I noticed a couple sat down next to my husband. They started talking and noticed it was getting later in the afternoon. That’s what happens in Key West, you meet people and before you know it time just passes by. I wanted to catch Zack and Kai again at Willie T’s before it got to late. Again we got there later then I wanted to. 
Well we said good bye to my husband’s new found friends and walked down to Willie T’s. We were able to find a couple seats so I was happy. It is always fun listening to Zack and play and its a real treat to catch him with his son, Kai. Not before long we turned around and the couple that we saw at Hog’s Breath showed up. 
I am not sure if they followed us or it just happened – nevertheless we all wound hanging out again. 
I was looking at the time and noticed it was getting close to 4 o’clock and we were supposed to meet our friend Billy for the sunset trip.
We were both pretty hungry and I didn’t have any plans for dinner. The following night I made dinner reservations for Cafe Sole, one of my favorite restaurants, but I figured that my husband should pick where to eat.
Even the stairs leading up to it feel like you are entering an entire different experience. 
We walked into the dark lit bar and sat down. It was still a bit early so we didn’t have any trouble at all finding seats. 
For dinner I had their delicious oysters rockefeller, while my husband had the escargot special. Last time we were there, I made the mistake of ordering the lobster thermidor, which was delicious, but having very rich meals back to back doesn’t sit well with me. Our entrees consisted on the filet mignon (my husband) and the snapper (for myself). All the dishes were delicious. 
We walked over and the place was pretty quiet. We sat down at one of the bars and then I turned around and saw in the back there was a large stage area where Nick was playing. We brought our drinks over and sat down. Unfortunately he was nearing the end of his show, but at least we were able to catch him for a song or two. 
It was a long day and we were pretty tired. We thought about stopping somewhere else, but made the better decision and just go back to the hotel and call it a night.
It is just so peaceful in a way. We made it to Kermit’s and ordered breakfast. There was actually a line of people this time so we had to wait for a bit, thankfully we already had our coffees in hand. 
Once we ordered our breakfast we sat back by the koi pond. 
It is such a pretty little spot. We didn’t wait long before our breakfast was served delicious and hot. 
So we decided to just go back to the Gardens for a bit to relax. 
It has a nice atmosphere and if you can find a couple of seats at the bar, it isn’t a bad place to have your first cocktail of choice. We walked in and it was more crowded then I thought, due to the lunch crowd. We noticed another musician we have seen in previous trips who is fun as well, John LaMere was playing. I thought what a nice surprise. We found a couple of seats after a large party left and just enjoyed listening to him play. We stayed until his set was over and said hello to him. He thanked us for stopping by.
I wanted to go back to Willie T’s to see Zack play, but we made a stop at Rick’s for a drink and to see Miguel. 
We didn’t realize it was his last day working until the weekend so it was our last time we would be seeing him for this visit. When it was time to leave we said our goodbyes and thanked him for always being good to us. 
It was hard not to stay but I didn’t want to miss our dinner reservations. 
For starters I had the escargot and my husband had the conch carpacchio. Unfortunately I have discovered that I am allergic to conch and cannot eat it. It is such anomaly to me – I can eat every other type of seafood under the sun, but not conch. I guess it will always remain a mystery. Obviously we had to order their hogfish again for our main course. It was tasty as it usually is. It was a beautiful evening and a great dinner.
So we made a quick stop at the hotel to regroup for a little before going back out. 
I was happy when we got to Rick’s that the outside seats at the bar were available. We sat down and Big Ed was working. 
It was nice to see him again. He began pouring us those grapefruit and club cocktails for us – one after the other.
We freshened up and made our walk towards Grinnell St. where the restaurant is located. When we got to the restaurant I was really impressed with the outside. It was nicely landscaped, but we had a bit of an issue finding the entrance. We did eventually find it and walked inside. The hostess asked if we preferred to sit inside or outside, and I picked outside. I try to sit outside everywhere I can unless it is extremely hot. I decided to stay classic and order a couple of eggs with breakfast potatoes and bacon. 
My husband had one of their frittata for breakfast. We were both very happy with our choices, it was very good. I was glad that we tried a new place – actually now that I think about it, we tried several new places for breakfast. I love going out for breakfast and it is always fun that there are so many options in Key West. 
So after breakfast we walked down to Whitehead St. where the house was located. Denise came out and we chatted for a bit. She was telling us about St. John and how it is improving and that we should not have any hesitation to return. It was nice talking to her, but didn’t want to keep her away for too long since she was in the middle of working on the house. We thanked her for her time and walked down Whitehead St. 
We walked by the lighthouse and the Hemingway House. If the Hemingway House wasn’t so crowded we probably would have stopped by. We have toured the house several times, but we always enjoy seeing the cats. 
The next stop took us to El Meson De Pepe for a couple of mojitos. 
Their mojitos are always very good, but I still can’t understand why they are so expensive for such a small drink. Regardless it was a nice stop to look at the huge cruise ship that was in port and look at Mallory Square. 
We only stayed for one and figured that we could have another drink somewhere before going back to Willie T’s and catch the end of Zack’s show. 
We went back to the Sunset Tiki Bar at the Galleon. Comparable to the Ocean Key Sunset Pier, I think this place has an amazing view. 
While we were sitting at the bar, we noticed one of the staff was bringing in new chairs for the bar area. Apparently they were getting rid of all the wood chairs and replacing them with black wicker type of chairs. We stayed long enough where we had to get off our chairs and try out the new ones. They were definitely more comfortable but a bit shorter then the previous ones. We had a fun time chatting with the bartender Grubby too.
Meanwhile, my husband heard from his high school friends that they wanted to meet up later so we headed out after the show to get ready at the Gardens. We stayed until the end of their show and told Zack we would see him the next day at Rick’s. 
When we all met up there for a drink, my husband told them about Berlin’s. I thought that they wouldn’t want to go, but they seemed really excited about going. I was a bit disappointed because we were just there and we only had 2 more nights left for dinner. I was outnumbered so we walked over to Berlin’s. It wasn’t such a bad option, the food there is that good. I ordered the oysters rockefeller again and then decided to try their paella. 
I was craving rice and thought that it would be a good choice. Regrettably it wasn’t the right decision. The paella had no flavor – especially the rice. I couldn’t taste any saffron. Thankfully everyone else enjoyed their dishes.
On our way to the Banana Cafe, we passed by La Te Da and it looked very inviting from the outside and not too crowded. We walked in and my husband wanted to sit at the bar, which was fine, but for breakfast I prefer a table. It wasn’t too bad though since it was fairly empty. Feeling the night before we both decided to order a pick me up. My husband had a bloody mary while I had a mimosa. 
It did help – only for a little while. I ordered the breakfast special omelet and my husband ordered the traditional egg breakfast. It took a while to get our order, but once we did get it, it was very good. I am not sure if their service is normally that slow, if it isn’t I would definitely go back. The atmosphere and people watching was great. 
Everyone was getting hungry so we were all going freshen up and meet up somewhere. Then we all realized why don’t we just go out like we are? It’s Key West! You don’t have to dress up. So I suggested that we go to the Rooftop Cafe. So if we had time we could catch the sunset at Mallory Square after. 
The sun was setting behind as we had another delicious dinner at the Rooftop Cafe. 
By the time we finished dinner it was too late to see sunset. 
We then went up to Carl and told him goodbye. It was sad but I didn’t get too upset otherwise I would never hear the end of it. Everyone made their separate ways and called it a night.
I was getting really sad about leaving Key West and our friends so I wasn’t too hungry. Then it was time to say our goodbyes – which I always hate.
susannj 