Welcome to this week’s homage to the Conch Republic. The world didn’t come to an end, but this poem is complete. Feel free to check out Key West Couplets–Part One or Key West Couplets–Part Two if you missed them. Enjoy!
Key West is tanning at Smathers, Higgins, Fort Zack, and South Beach,
Snapping photos of butterflies and exotic birds out of reach,
Exploring Truman’s Little White House and tall banyon trees,
Dreaming of pirates at Mel Fisher Museum, another treasure of the keys.
Key West is mopeds, skateboards, tour trolleys, and Conch Cruisers,
Paddleboards, Sunset Key Ferry, pink taxis, and scooters.
Cruise ships, motorboats, houseboats, and sea planes buzzing by,
Luxury yachts and masted boats with their sails flying high.
Welcome to this week’s Margarita Moment, the second of a three-part homage to the Conch Republic–Key West. Feel free to check out Key West Couplets – Part One if you missed it.
Key West is Hogaritas, Ultimate Margaritas, Corona with limes,
Rum punch, Flying Monkeys’ frozen concoctions, our favorite red wines.
Happy Hour that begins each day ’round about noon,
Laidback island music, with a work-to-live motto and a steel drum tune.
Key West is James Audubon, Tennessee Williams, and Chesney,
Jimmy Buffett, Mel Fisher, McGillis, and Winfrey.
Cigars rolled by Cubans and beaches made from soft Bahamian sand,
Home of the Navy, Coast Guard, and factories where turtles were once canned.
Key West is upper, mid, and lower Duval,
Art boutiques, souvenir shops, and occasional vendor stall,
Piano bars, sports bars, and others with history or flare,
All ending at a cobblestone street that leads to a boardwalk and Mallory Square.
Key West is tanning at Smathers, Higgins, Fort Zack, and South Beach,
Snapping photos of butterflies, exploring the world of banyon trees, and birds out of reach…
Until next Monday, when we finish our poetic tour of Key West, here’s a song by one of my favorite American Idol artists, Phil Phillips, with his beautiful homage to someone special. Wherever you may be, may it be the place you make your home.
Bermuda is famous for its pink sand beaches and lush vegetation. Both times we’ve visited this group of one hundred eighty islands, we cruised there from New York City. I hope to fly there someday and stay at a resort, perhaps one like the Grotto Bay Beach Resort my talented blogger friend, Gwen Hernandez enjoyed with her family last winter. (I was unable to link directly to her article, but it’s called “Holiday in Paradise” and worth a look.) Until then, here’s a snapshot of our experience in beautiful Bermuda.
Our First Visit – 1998
Fort St. Catherine, St. George, Bermuda
The first time we traveled to this British territory in the Atlantic Ocean about 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina, our daughter was seven and our son not yet born. We enjoyed spectacular views from atop Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and played in the turquoise waters off Horseshoe Bay Beach. Our daughter and her two cousins appreciated the aquarium and petting zoo, as we traveled from place to place via public bus–an adventure in itself on the island’s narrow roads. We also shopped in Hamilton and walked the streets of Kings Wharf, explored the history of Fort St. Catherine and cooled off with a swim at Tobacco Bay.
Our Second Visit – 2012
This time, our ship was docked for only one-and-a-half days in Royal Naval Dockyard and we traveled with both our adult daughter and our teenage son who is autistic. We didn’t explore Bermuda as much as fourteen years ago, yet took a forty-minute ferry ride from our port to revisit Tobacco Bay Beach, a taxi ride’s distance from King’s Wharf. (The ferry ride was $8 roundtrip per adult. Expect to pay $2-$3 per person for your ride, and more if you don’t fill the taxi. We shared our ride with other tourists to avoid paying more.) This public beach has a concession stand with restrooms and a shaded eating area. There are snorkel sets and a limited supply of umbrellas and beach chairs for rent. Arrive early for a good spot and if interested in renting beach items. Families with young children will especially like this beach, as the waters are tranquil and comfortably shallow. You may spy a variety of tropical fish near the rocks, too as the children did the day we were there.
Tobacco Bay Beach
Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda
After dinner that evening, six of our party trekked off the ship into Dockyard to soak in the Bermudian atmosphere. There was a street fair that night, complete with Goombay dancers and photo ops. Our enthusiastic photographer had difficutly getting my Nikon to cooperate. (Oh well, it’s a fuzzy photo from a fuzzy night.) If you look carefully, you may see our cruise ship in the background of this first photo.
Giggling with the Goombay Dancers
After browsing the vendors, we headed toward the Frog & Onion Pub. On the way, we stopped by the Dockyard Glassworks. The store was open but demonstrations had ended for the day. The displayed pieces were exquisite. In spite of the summer heat the following day, our daughter, her cousin, and aunt returned there to be mesmerized for an hour. She later told me, “For a moment there, I questioned why I plan to attend med school when I could return to Bermuda and learn the art of glass blowing instead.” I guess she liked it.
Drinks at the Frog and OnionThe Big Mama of Margaritas!
One of our group bought the Big Mama, a forty-five ounce margarita meant to be split between two or three. What do you think? Could you down that baby by yourself?
Clocktower Mall in Dockyard has a mix of upscale, kid-friendly, and local artisan shops. The air conditioning is a huge plus in the summer, especially for those individuals sensitive to the heat and humidity like our special-needs son. There were places to sit and rest, ice cream shops, and reasonably priced toys. All good.
Clocktower Mall in Dockyard, BermudaA view of Dockyard’s harbor from our ship balcony
See those jet skiers in the harbor. If you recall my recent adventure in Key West, you’ll understand why I wasn’t even tempted to go touring around the island with them. Don’t let those jet skiing myths fool you!
A Fish Hook Shaped Chain of Islands
Well, that about sums up our ventures in Bermuda to date. We plan to return. Maybe then we’ll bike through island gardens, walk underground in Crystal and Fantasy Caves, play at Snorkel Park and enjoy a rum swizzle or two.
What have you been up to this fine August month? Working or playing, or a bit of both? We’d love to hear about your adventures.
Key West Harbor Walk — Don’t let the calm waters fool you!
On our recent getaway to Key West for Hemingway Days, we arrived at the popular jet ski tour located on Front Street, part of the Historic Seaport Harbor Walk in Old Town. We were excited about our upcoming adventure. I wore a swimsuit, cover-up, and a huge smile. Little did I know how ill-prepared I was, having bought into the myths of this particular water sport.
Myth #1: Jet skiing is for anyone!
The reality…
If you’re nervous about controlling your own jet ski, don’t even think about being a passenger, where you’re at the mercy of another person’s driving skills (or lack thereof) and have very little to hold onto to keep yourself from flying off the back of the machine. My husband is a big man, and with a life jacket, even bigger. I couldn’t wrap my arms completely around him so I grasped the jacket’s front straps and held on for dear life. Oh, and you’d think it would be wise to slather up with sunscreen in preparation for the sunny day, but once the ocean spray hits your legs you’ll have less traction than a greased pig. You’ll be so slippery that when you race to catch up with the rest of your tour group, the only part of your body not flying a like a flag in a stiff breeze will be two fingers–precariously close to losing their grip.
Myth #2: It’s a great way to enjoy wildlife!
The reality…
Let me ask you, “How many dolphins, sting rays, sea turtles, and manatees do you think you’re likely to see on a jet ski tour?” If you answered zero, you’re correct. The waves, vibration, and noise created by one jet ski is enough to send all nearby waterlife and fowl headed as far away from you as possible. Combine that with the five other machines in your tour group, and you’ve effectively driven away the hardiest of water creatures. Don’t feel too badly though. You’re being pummeled by salt water at 30-60 miles per hour, so you can’t see a damned thing anyway. All you can concentrate on is staying on the jet ski, ignoring the sting in your eyes, and praying for the safety of land.
These jet skiers make it look easy!
Myth #3: It’s not only fun, but educational!
The reality…
Sure, the tour guides are knowledgeable about the area, and they stop at four or five different sites to impart historical trivia. The only problem is, between the airplanes and helicopters flying overhead and your heart beating a staccato terror drum roll, you’ll hear about one of every ten words–learning absolutely nothing other than how thankful you are to be alive and that you should NEVER believe those glossy brochures.
Myth #4: It’s thrilling, yet safe!
The reality…
If you enjoy being frightened to within an inch of your life, imagining that at any second you’re going to sail through the air and hit water at about fifty miles per hour and worrying about the inexperienced jet skiers behind you running you over, then yes, it’s thrilling. If you enjoy riding on the back of a motorized machine, much like an out-of-control motorcycle, contending with five foot waves of the Atlantic which causes your pelvis to bang repeatedly against the jet ski’s seat, then yeah, that’s thrilling too. If you’re a closet exhibitionist, and enjoy the idea of accidentally exposing your bottom half to your entire tour group at a brief stop to wade at a sandbar, then most definitely, it’s thrilling.
Safe, not so much. But it’s not as if you aren’t forewarned, signing those requisite waivers about loss of life or limb before you’re allowed to mount your water steed. Life is risky, and jet skiing, if you so choose, is part of life. If you jet ski in calm lake, bay, or gulf waters, it may be quite fun and safe. If you are an inexperienced jet skier riding with another inexperienced jet skier anxious to prove his manliness, and your group’s intent is to tour twenty-six miles around an island between the Gulf of Mexico into choppy Atlantic waters with a time limit of two hours, then it can be a tad more risky.
Paddleboarding, a low-tech option.
Luckily, the only victim of our jet ski ride were my sunglasses. A rogue wave drenched us about thirty seconds from the conclusion of our tour and I made the mistake of lifting my face to the sun. The wind caught my glasses and they disappeared into Key West harbor. Hesitant to litter, we turned back to look for them, but the deafening horn of a ferry on our tail changed our minds. We bonded from our common experience, filled with a few moments of sheer terror interspersed with moments of joy, riding the waves around our beloved tropical island.
Will I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I drive!
That’s my take on jet skiing. What’s yours? We’d love to hear your story about that or any other water sport.
The Papa Look-Alikes Contest is a big draw for fans of Key West Hemingway Days, but that’s not all this annual festival offers.
Saturday afternoon, Old Town hosted a Caribbean Street Fair, designed to reflect the spirit of Key West during the original Hemingway’s era. A large section of Duval Street was closed to vehicles for local artisans and mom-and-pop food vendors to display their goods. People browsed the stands, many sipping ice cold lemonade in the tropical heat. There was wall art designed from sheet metal, touristy plaques made from recycled fence, Cuban sandwiches, and Bahamian-prepared sausages among other items. We bought little other than bottled water, focused on hydration.
At dusk, over six hundred people participated in the Hemingway 5K Sunset Run/Walk. My husband entered as a runner, and convinced me to participate as a walker. I ran recreationally for a number of years, but with children and other responsibilities, I’d become more of a treadmill kind of gal this past decade. More recently, I was injured in a fall and endured PT for many months. My knees continue to give me grief. On top of that, Key West’s weather was still like a steambath at race time. I had valid concerns about finishing.
I kissed my husband good luck and he flew ahead of us few walkers with the other runners. I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, stretching my gait as far as possible and pumping those arms. And I kept that pace. Eventually, I passed a number of other racers, some jogging slower than my walk. That’s okay, though, because we were all in it for fun. The race entry fees went toward a local children’s organization, and there was something special about race-walking from the famous Southernmost Point, down Whitehead Street where Hemingway’s Museum is located, onto the Truman Annex, down the Quay for a spectacular sunset view, looping through sidestreets and back down Whitehead to the finish line at Southernmost Point. Spectators cheered and encouraged everyone. I did it. We all did it. It felt good. I may just enter another 5K in the future, and next time I’ll run.
What a View!
When was the last time you were coaxed into doing something outside your comfort zone? How did it turn out?
In honor of Ernest Miller Hemingway, born on July 21, 1899
Papa fans celebrated the 32nd annual Hemingway Days with a variety of events July 18th-July 22nd, 2012. There was something for everyone, from participation in the three-day Key West Marlin Tournament to a tour of the “Hemingway in Key West” Exhibition at the Custom House to Sloppy Joe’s Arm Wrestling Championship. Too much, in fact, to experience it all. In that way, this post’s title may be a bit misleading. I do promise to share all the Hemingway highlights from our particular trips–in this post and Monday’s. If you’re seeking more information about the writer and man please read my post, “Hemingway’s Key West Years.”
I’d heard about the Papa Look-Alike Contest, and had seen the pictures, but it was disconcerting to stand in a roomful of one hundred or so white-bearded men–wearing khakis or early 20th century Spanish garb and striking Hemingway-like poses.
Let the crowds begin!
We attended the second evening of competition. The air in the packed pub sizzled with anticipation and the scent of Cuban cigars. A movie crew taped the event, making the experience even more surreal for Hemingway Days newbies like us.
Sign at Sloppy Joe’s
We searched for Hemingway descendants and heard rumors Paula Dean of FoodNetwork fame was present, her husband one of the Look-Alike hopefuls. We chatted with entrants like first-year competitor Papa James, who asked for support in exchange for a hug and photo.
One of many 2012 Papa Look-Alikes
By the time the competition began, we were jammed together in the steamy, open-air bar. We enjoyed the first two groups of eight contestants. They introduced themselves and each made a speech or told the judges why he should be the winner. One of the first-year competitors recited a lengthy Hemingway quote. It was great! Before the next of eight groups took the stage, we lightweights left the die-hard fans to their contest. We escaped to Lower Duval for sustenance and a bar with AC. If you were to attend, I’d suggest arriving early enough for a stool at the bar (maybe before 3?), increasing your chances of lasting all four hours.
Gotta love the Papas!Parading of the Bulls
The following day, we joined other tourists on the corner of Greene and Duval for photos with the Papas. Like many Hemingway Days events, donations were accepted on behalf of charities benefitting local children. All Sloppy Joe events raised money for the Papa Look-Alike Society. This group awards annual scholarships to Key West Community College students. We watched as the Papas, some on Key West-like bulls, led a happy throng in a short parade around the block.
I’m thrilled to have scheduled our summer getaway to the Conch Republic during this festival. Not only was it a lot of fun, but an added bonus to be part of so many charitable events. It feels good to help others. Please come on back for the remaining highlights of our Hemingway Days on Monday, including photos from the 5K Hemingway Sunset Run. Until then, have a wonderful weekend doing what you love!
Have you ever attended Hemingway Days or a similar type of festival? If so, what are your favorite memories from the event?
…trying to stay dry as Tropical Storm Debby swirled over the Gulf of Mexico and dumped inches of rain on the Florida peninsula, including our family vacation destination of Orlando.
My children were good sports. In spite of the incessant rain, they enjoyed the roller coasters, shopping, and time with their grandparents and aunt and uncle. The parks weren’t crowded or unbearably hot those first four days–generally a given in the Sunshine State the last week of June.
I was also busy…
Picture Perfect
…enjoying nature’s beauty.
At least, whenever I wasn’t busy….
I love everything Disney!
…begging someone, anyone, to take my photo to prove I was also along on this vacation. (If you’re the family photog, you understand.)
I got my exercise, although I never stepped foot inside a gym, lifted a free weight, or jogged anywhere. I merely…
Where are they off to now??
…chased after my family on one adventure after another.
Thankfully, they were game to eat lunch at Margaritaville, my little Key West fix to tide me over until couple’s getaway later this summer.
Ahhh, summer.
Back to cleaning the house, making meals, and running errands. As a writer, I’ve also committed to ROW80. If you’re interested, my goals are listed below.
Our near disaster of a vacation got me thinking. Despite your best-laid plans, have you ever been on a trip where everything seemed to go wrong?
Prior to having kids, my husband and I watched a movie called Parenthood. This 1989 film produced by Ron Howard was billed as a comedy, yet portrayed the reality of family life as well as any drama I’ve ever seen.
Which brings me to today’s Moment.
One of the four parenting stories features a middle-aged father named Gil, played by Steve Martin. Gil has a difficult relationship with his own father, so he strives to be Super Dad to his three kids. However, when his oldest son’s erratic behavior threatens to change his school placement to special ed classes, Gil is frantic. Add to that his wife’s unplanned fourth pregnancy and work pressures, the guy is out of his mind with worry. Here are my favorite clips from the movie, when Grandma shares her words of wisdom and Gil finally gets their meaning:
In case you can’t access the video or want the short version…
[Gil has been complaining about his complicated life; Grandma wanders into the room] Grandma: You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Gil: Oh? Grandma: Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! Gil: What a great story. Grandma: I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn’t like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.
I like the merry-go-round. It’s pleasant, safe, and predictable. When our daughter was little, we’d take her on the one at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and she would smile and wave each time she passed by. Life was good. Life was simple.
Routine is our merry-go-round. We get up, send the kids off to school, do our work, the kids return home for dinner, we help with homework, watch tv, and go to bed. Then we do it all over again the next day. I enjoy routine; I like doing laundry and keeping to a schedule. Our son, being on the autism spectrum, craves routine–although it often constrains him (and us).
There’s something to be said for breaking out of the ordinary and taking a risk. It keeps us fresh, ready for anything life swings at us. It clears the cobwebs from our brains and exercises our imagination.
Our son’s first roller coaster ride!
Our daughter graduated from the merry-go-round and was a roller coaster pro by the time her brother was born.
Life for my family changed drastically with his autism diagnosis. Five years and hundreds of ABA therapy hours later, we took a family outing to an amusement park. This was a big deal, driving hours away from home and everything familiar. We had prepared our son with photos and talks about what to expect at Sesame Place, and he knew he was going to see Elmo, his favorite character, but it could go either way. New experiences often triggered extreme anxiety for him and tantrums could ensue. Luckily, the morning at the park was a huge success. He enjoyed it all–the water rides, the characters, the shows, the food, and the shops.
Then we saw the kiddie roller coaster. How I wanted my son to share our love of thrill rides! Should we push our luck? Heck, yeah. How would we know if he liked it if we never tried? We waited with bated breath to learn if our second-born would relish or fear what the rest of us in the family adored.
Whee!
By the second dip of the tiny coaster, his eyes lit up and he wore a grin the size of his face.
Since that magical day, we’ve enjoyed the mega coasters at Great Adventure in New Jersey and those at Disney World and Universal as a family. We even brave the Tower of Terror at MGM Disney in Orlando on occasion.
I’ve witnessed a positive change in our son after each of these adventures. He becomes more emotionally connected and animated afterwards, the results lasting weeks or months. Other parents of children on the ASD spectrum have noted similar responses from their kids, including gains in language and learning after trips to places such as Disney.
Like Gil in Parenthood, I’ve learned life has a way of shaking us silly with its unexpected twists and turns. We can learn to hold on, savor the wind as it whips through our hair, and dare to try as we plunge into the next adventure. We can choose to keep with the status quo and get satisfaction out of the little things. Or maybe, just maybe, we can embrace both, being responsible when necessary, unbridled when possible in order to grow–whether as parents or individuals. What do you think?
Do you prefer the merry-go-round or roller coaster?
Explore eks-plore v. 1. to investigate, study, or analyze: look into 2. to travel over (new territory) for adventure or discovery.
RCL Explorer docked at St. Thomas
As much as my husband and I enjoy Key West, we have a soft spot in our hearts for the Eastern Caribbean islands, each of them gems in their own right. In 2003, We were fortunate enough to explore Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas on a seven-day cruise…
Our first stop is San Juan. We opt to kayak the San Spiritu River, a calm river northeast of Puerto Rico’s capital city. Chattering monkeys and squawking parrots greet our small tour group as we paddle along, surrounded by the greenery of El Yunque Rainforest. I spy two manatee in the water and an iguana in the trees. What a wonderful start to our Eastern Caribbean experience!
Whimsical water feature outside a shop
St. Maarten/St. Martin is our next destination. It’s a unique island, ruled on one side by the Dutch and the other by the French.
We shop on the Dutch side, grabbing incredible bargains on cameras, linens, and rainbow topaz jewelry. The Belgian chocolate is delicious. Don’t plan to bring any home with you, though. It’s not a good traveler.
On the French side, there are beautiful beaches (including a nude beach if you’re so inclined). We visit a butterfly farm, where I get my first glimpse at the elusive blue morpho butterfly.
My lamb isn’t too baa-d, is it?
Days at sea gives us an opportunity to explore the ship. We play mini golf, learn how to make towel animals, make friends with our dinner mates, and take in the nightly shows. There’s so much to do, but we spend part of each day simply sipping a cool drink and taking in the stunning Caribbean views from our comfy spot in the Solarium hot tub or pool.
St. Thomas is another port. We venture out on our own today, the taxi ride through the hills to Magen’s Bay Beach a bit like a roller coaster ride without the safety of the rails! We arrive early, so the beach isn’t crowded. I soak in the crystal blue water. It’s heavenly.
Magen’s Bay Beach, St. Thomas
We leave the beach before I turn too pink, travel down the windy road into town, and then take a tram up to Paradise Point, St. Thomas’ lookout point. The blues of the Caribbean mix with the vibrant tropical flowers and trees. Everything is lush and beautiful.
Leaving St. Thomas
For our last day of sun, sand, and water, we join a friendly group on a booze cruise to Pearl Island away from the busy commercialism of Nassau. We enjoy a spicy lunch and rum drinks as we wade in the warm waters. Later, we explore the island’s tiny lighthouse and look at the seashells. The boat trip back to the ship includes music and dancing, and puts us in the mood for a fun last night at sea before returning to reality.
I enjoy our getaways to Key West, never tiring of its natural beauty and its people, but cruising is a wonderful way to learn which destinations may hold promise of an extended holiday to suit your needs. I’d definitely like to visit St. Thomas again, perhaps while vacationing in nearby St. John–secluded and romantic.
Oops, gotta go! I hear the blender whirring and steel drums playing in the kitchen. Time for a margarita moment or two. Until next time…
What is Key West for you?
I kissed my husband good luck and he flew ahead of us few walkers with the other runners. I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, stretching my gait as far as possible and pumping those arms. And I kept that pace. Eventually, I passed a number of other racers, some jogging slower than my walk. That’s okay, though, because we were all in it for fun. The race entry fees went toward a local children’s organization, and there was something special about race-walking from the famous Southernmost Point, down Whitehead Street where Hemingway’s Museum is located, onto the Truman Annex, down the Quay for a spectacular sunset view, looping through sidestreets and back down Whitehead to the finish line at Southernmost Point. Spectators cheered and encouraged everyone. I did it. We all did it. It felt good. I may just enter another 5K in the future, and next time I’ll run.
