Started the day off back to normalcy in Key West. The temperature was already 78 degrees and rising when I woke up at 6:30. Well, I should say Kitty woke me up at 6:30 wanting her breakfast. I made my coffee and went outside to turn on the grill. Kitty and I sat in the yard me drinking my Baby's Breakfast Blend while she eagerly awaited the grill to warm up and me to cook her shrimp. We had breakfast and came inside for me to get ready for the day.
I was scheduled to go on the Island Adventure, a Snorkel/Kayak Eco Tour with Fury Water Adventure. I got in the car to head down to the Key West Bight to meet Barbara. See, when you see my signature line of "Barbara Anderson Realty" she does exist. I totally forgot the Key West Half Marathon was today and I had to dodge runners in the street as I drove downtown. I usually run the Half Marathon but I tore my Rotator Cuff a few months back and haven't been exercising as much so I skipped it this year. We got to the Fury check in to find out the morning trip was canceled due to not enough people and we were scheduled for the afternoon trip. They tried to call me but had the wrong number. Luckily he ride home is only about 5 minutes so i went home and got a start planning my Monday figuring I'd return about lunchtime to do it all over again.
I got back downtown a little after noontime because I thought the boat left at 1:30 with a 1:00 check in. Come to find out it was a 2;00 departure and a 1:45 check in. Since it was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we had over an hour to kill we walked up the dock to Turtle Krawls Tower Bar. The Tower Bar is on the second floor with the highest view of the Historic Seaport. It is a mostly local crowd with great service and good food. If we had to kill an hour we might as well do it sitting outside watching the boats go by.
About 1:30 we walked down the dock to where Fury checked in and got on the boat. There was a very small crowd. Maybe a dozen people on a boat that can accommodate 50 or more. We left the marina looking at the Sailing Schooners and a few Mega Yachts that were docked. The Crew, who were amazing, gave everyone the legally required safety briefing then turned the mood back to fun. The first stop was snorkeling for about an hour. Barbara and I elected to stay on the boat for that. t may have been a nice day out but I don't get in the water between September and May. Water temperature of 74 degrees might be warm to someone from Minnesota but if it is less than 85 those of us who live here won't get in. We stayed on the boat and visited with the Captain and Crew.
Next was Kayaking through the Mangroves of Archer Key which we did partake in and words can't describe how beautiful that was and how much fun it was. We were in and out of little alcoves of Mangroves so tight we had to hold the kayak paddles in and just pull our way through to get to the next opening. Most of the time we were in less than two feet of water. There were crabs, lobster, birds, fish, rocks, plant life and we even saw a baby Barracuda that couldn't have been much more than 6 inches long. I'd be lying if I said we didn't also make fun of the tourists trying to get the Kayak to go straight and into the current when it was just Barbara, Emily (The very cool and fun Crew Member) and I ahead of the rest of them on the way back to the boat. Words can't describe how beautiful and fun the Kayak tour was. Emily and Stevie, the other Crew Member, did an amazing job.
We got back to the boat with the Kayaks to be greeted by Captain Pat, who was also awesome and a lot of fun. He got us in the boat and took care of our Kayaks. Barbara and I were the first two back and we got to watch the entertainment of the tourists who had never Kayaked before try to approach the boat without hitting it or Captain Pat. Luckily we could tell Pat had done this a few thousand times and he got everyone on board without falling in the water. Poor Stevie had to tow one couple about 500 yards while he was riding a Paddle Board. That entertainment was an added bonus. No guarantee you'll see that if you go out on the Island Adventure but I do guarantee if you request to go with Captain Pat, Emily and Stevie they will show you a good time.
Everyone was on board and accounted for and we slowly cruised in watching the sun go down. We got just outside of Sunset Key and idled around Key West Harbor watching the Schooners and Sailing Catamarans as we watched the sun go down. There were just enough clouds around to make the sunset unique but few enough clouds to make it beautiful. No matter how many times I see the Key West Sunset it still amazes me.
We got back to the dock and it was the end of a great day. I can't say enough about what a great time we had and what a fantastic Captain and Crew we had. Having been a Professional Boat Captain myself I am usually critical about the way people run a boat but these people were true professionals making it so everyone had fun and each person felt as if we were the most important person on the boat. Although Pat was the Captain he ran the boat as if they were all equals and everyone had a fantastic time.
At this point I was tired from a day on the water. I came home, cooked dinner and parked myself on the couch in front of the TV and now I'm ready for bed. That was my Day in Key West.
Until Tomorrow,
Gary
Gary McAdams, P.A.
The Key West Life
Barbara Anderson Realty
305-731-0501
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