Key West and Marathon

chef2sail · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010

The 2 feet of snow 4 weeks ago and then the rain, the Admiral says she wants to go somewhere warm. So we on the spur of a moment (1 week) plan a hasty vacation to the Keys where she has never been.

Saturday-14 hour ride to Daytona. Sunday arriving at Coaplum Beach and Tennis Resort for 6 days (less than $900). Very nice place right on the Atlantic Ocean..pool...2 bedrooms...full kitchen..and WARM(75 every day so far). Monday drove 1 hour to crazy Key West. Tomorrow going back to Key west for shopping and a sunset snorkeling cruise on a 65 sailing catamaran. Thirsday is a swim with the Dolphins where they pull you around thepool with their dorsal fins...something I have always wanted to try.

I havent been to the Keys since college over 30 years ago ( in a VW camper bus) and it has really built up. There are alot of ends of the earth people living here now I didnt rememeber seeing then also.

Usually we plan our trips so wellin advance it isnt funny with lists and lists ans more lists, like when we go to Block Island ( I have 4 lists already for ourMartha Vineyard trip this July), but this spur of the moment vacation has hit the spot. I didnt realize how much I needed to get away.

Maybe we should stay until March.....lol.

Dave

brak · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

You can rent a boat there too. If you go to Key West there is also Key West Sailing club, which you can join for something like $100 and take out tiny little 16 foot daysailers out as much as you want (no engine on those things though so getting them out of the harbor through the narrow channel is no picnic)

LandLocked66c · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

Stop by the Green Parrot and have an ice cold Yuengling!!! My favorite Key Pastime...

ottos · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

Find the outside bar at El Meson de Pepe (right off Mallory Square). Listen to some salsa after sunset and treat yourself to one of their Mojito's.

Priceless.

chef2sail · #5 (**permalink**) 01-20-2010

le Meson de Pepe was great. The salsa was wild..my wife kept hitting me for looking..lol. The Green Parrot has about 25 dollars of my money already.

We have eaten at some great home style local hangouts in Marathon too
How can you go wrong with a place called Porkys which has walls lined with lincense plates from every state as well as stuffed fish and picctures covering the walls with oversized species of fish that were caught by drunk anglers. The best pulled pork and pulled beef with lobster macaroni and cheese for $12.95. Annettes Lobster and Steaks has the best warm water lobster tails prepared 15 different ways...I had the almond dust crusted ones sauteed with a champagne lime beuree blanc. The desserts were all homemade and the one i got was a 12 inch high carrot cake stuffed with cheesecake. My wife got a 12" high chocolate cake stiffed with chocolate chip peanut butter pie. We have been snacking on these desserts at all meals for two days. Annete is the owner and head baker of this down home place.

And oh yes...I found out the cure for scurvy is a piece of key lime pie for breakfast every day.

Dave

ottos · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2010

We often spend some time in KW around Christmas, but this year were in Conch Key just north of Marathon. If you have cooking facilities, look for the handmade 'lobster' sign on the Conch Key turnout and buy the lobster right off the boat. The Wreck bar had some great fish sandwiches. For sunset, try the Keys Fisheries. Go upstairs to the bar, and feast on $1. stone crab claws.

Fair winds