Stuck in Key West
18 April 2013
Scott
With Jimmy Buffett on the stereo Freddi and I hung out in Key West waiting for 20+kt easterlies to ease and clock south. We enjoyed Key West, did some fishing (I caught a baby Hammerhead Shark—tossed him back and reminded him to remember the courtesy if we met again when he was bigger!), worked on the boat (new screens in the isinglass), read a lot, and waited -- a lot. We finished a few nagging projects and updated our project list of long term maintenance for the boat… it never ends but we “kinda” like it that way….
We want to give a big “shout out” to the SSCA Key West Cruising Station Evan Kolb who provided local knowledge, transportation, and company.
Until now we’ve tried to avoid the “travel guide” feel but Key West is an exception. If you’re sailing in our wake a few hints…
--The dingy dock http://www.keywestcity.com/department/index.php?fDD=39-0 at “The Bight” is inexpensive, close in, and crowded (but always room for “one more”). We anchored on the west side of Fleming Key in about 22’ and had a 10-min ride in. You can use the same dock even if you pick up a mooring ball in the Garrison field but we prefer our own ground tackle regardless.
--Fausto’s Food Palace http://www.faustos.com is wonderful… great butcher, local seafood, fresh produce, great wine selection, more. Not cheap but it’s in Key West, walkable and we love it. (And they DELIVER right to the dock if you’re stocking up with more than you can carry on a walk). Very Highly Recommended.
--The Half Shell Raw Bar AKA Eat it Raw http://www.halfshellrawbar.com is NOT TO BE MISSED. Happy Hour Oysters at $6/dozen for starters and drinks at $2.75 each. Check out the license plates at the bar to see where CHRDNAY (VA) has been! (Hint: it’s next to CABERNE.) They also have a seafood market across the street with local catch daily. We need more places like this.
--West Marine is just up from the anchorage and they’re building a bigger store; ask for Larry… he was great--even sold us some watermaker filters from his own stock when the store was out-- and he lives in the anchorage.
--Don’t miss the “Hogfish Bar & Grill” on Stock Island http://www.hogfishbar.com for local food (very good if calorie-laden) and “ambiance.”
--And, lastly, don’t miss the Cuban Coffee Queen. http://www.cubancoffeequeen.com just trust them and order the Cuban, even if you usually drink your coffee black; this is the real stuff and you don’t need to pay South Beach prices!