Key West Boat Parade

Yesterday was our first trip to Key West of many to come. A bunch from our marina decided to go to Key West for the boat parade and then some. We loaded up the van with seven, and others took the dollar bus down.
Our first stop had to be Schooners Wharf to replenish our liquids, and have some of our all time favorite wings.
We headed out from Schooners to see the boat parade, then on for a night of fun at Irish Keven's, and man was it fun!
After Irish Kevin's, it was time for a midnight snack at another one of our favorites, Amigo's.
Phred was our DD, and did a great job getting all the slightly inebriated cruisers back to Marathon. Thanks Phred!
Man it's great to be back in the Keys!

September Song (did I mention it's great to be back) out
Bob


There weren't many boats in the Parade, but the ones in it were spectacular. It's hard to tell from the picture, but this is a huge twin masted schooner. It was a beautiful night with temps in the 70's and clear. Notice the moon in the upper right hand corner.

The palm trees on this one were about 150 foot tall.

This cute little guy gets carried around in a baby carrier. 

The lady on the right is Debb from Marathon. She tends bar at Schooners.

Mrs. Claus is looking good.

Tom thinks so too! What a fun lady.

Must have been a hair night.

Speaking of hair nights. Some of us couldn't stay awake on the way home.

Santa.....You're supposed to be at the North Pole getting ready for your trip. It's cold up there. Can you blame him .

Everyone in Key West is in the Christmas party mood for the next nine days. Well, OK, they're in a party mood 365 days a year.

The two ladies on the stage at Irish Kevin's are the mothers of the bride and groom that were there, getting shots poured into their mouths. Only in Key West!

More of Santa's elves.

The bet was that she couldn't down a Guinness with a shot in less than ten seconds.

Almost! 10.36 seconds. Darn! I had to keep my blog rated PG, so I cropped the picture, but I think you get the idea of what she had to do if she lost. I guess you could call it the booby prize.

The gang at Irish Kevin's.

I guess Stephanie and I are going to have to break down and buy Christmas costumes.
(Ed. note - No, we don't)

Twyla, one of our crazy cruising friends from Marathon.

Her husband Mike.

Santa's little helper AKA our waitress at Schooners.

I guessed her to be about 85. She had her three wheel bike all decorated up in lights and a hippo on the back.

Glad to be back!

We arrived in Marathon on the 28th of November, and it has been non stop. Catching up on boat maintenance, back to Stuart for Di's Birthday, dock parties, the boat parade, Keys Fisheries for stone crab claws and sunset (times three), Salty's to see our Musician friend and her band, and, well, it's great to be back.

September Song (taking a night off, I think) out
Bob


When we arrived at our slip on the 28th, we recognized the boat next to us. It's Life's2Short, Todd and Brenda's boat, that we cruised with. They sold her a couple of years ago and returned to work. 

The first night, we headed to one of our favorites, The Keys Fisheries for stone crab claws and toast the sunset with cruising friends already here in Marathon.

Love these little guys!