This Week on the Island 10/07/2007

'This week on the Island' is written by Doug Bennett and is an update to friends about happenings in Key West last week. Everything is true except for those parts that are lies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The pictures this week are the first Margaritaville at Lands End and Margaritaville on Duval Street. Another place the Parrot Heads will be spending a lot of time during MOTM (Meeting of the Minds, the annual gathering of Parrot Heads in Key West in November).

The Weather: Lots of wind the first of the week, then clear and warm, then rain. Saturday was beautiful.

This weeks book was 'Flush' by Carl Hiaasen. It is a bit like 'Hoot'. Some kids in south Florida trying to stop pollution. I found it in the 'young adult' section of the Key West library. It was very enjoyable reading.

We had 1,950 baby turtles hatch on the Key West beaches this year.

Mallory Square is on the list of places to be remodeled by the city. The part near the water where the performers put on their acts is suppose to be torn down and rebuilt.

Met some folks from Anderson, SC the first of the week and some folks from Lake Charles, LA the last of the week. The folks from SC knew some people from my old karate days.

It is kind of slow on the island so why don't you spend the day with me.

When I get up each morning about 6:30 AM, Wyleigh, Sassi and I go for a SHORT walk. Out the door, down Elizabeth Street and over to Conch Republic Seafood. Then we go up Lazy Lane past Buffett's recording studio, past Schooner Wharf Bar, past the Wyland Wall, and toward Turtle Kraal's. Then we go out to Caroline Street and past Flagler's Railroad Museum, past Harpoon Harry's, past Pepe's Restaurant and then back home. I read the paper and check the internet as I drink coffee. Then we go for a LONG walk. Down Caroline Street 2 blocks to Duval, right on Duval and past the Bull and on toward Sloppy Joe's. Then we take a left on Green Street and past Captain Tony's and on toward Mel Fishers and the cruise ship's. We walk to the port past the Hilton and over to Mallory Square and then to the Aquarium area so the dogs can play in the fountain. We leave there and go by Hog's Breath and on up Front Street past Two Friends Restaurant, Island Dog, the Pirate Museum and up to A&B Lobster House. Then we circle the Bight, go past Conch Republic and head back home. It is now about 9:00 AM. Time to eat a bowl of Albertson's honey oats and almonds. Then I sit on the front porch in my rocking chair and read.

After lunch we take another dog walk up Lazy Lane. Now we go for a bike ride. First we oil the chain and check the air pressure in the tires. Now I get on my $55 Kmart one speed bike and head up Caroline Street past Duval to Whitehead. We take a left and go past the post office, the end of US#1, and the Green Parrot. Further along on Whitehead we pass Hemmingway's House, and on to the Southernmost Point. We turn and go up South to Vernon and take a right and go to Dog Beach next to Louie's Back Yard. We take a left on Waddell and go to Reynolds where we take a right and go by the Casa Marina. We take a left on Atlantic and on to Higgs Beach and White Street Pier. After riding out on the pier and back We take a right back up Atlantic for a mile or so to Smathers Beach. After another mile we are at the airport. We continue on up A1A and past where House Boat Row used to be, past the VA clinic and into the intersection coming onto the island. Now we are headed South on US1 (Roosevelt Drive). We pass Publix and Sears, then Albertsons and Kmart, then the Winn-Dixie shopping center and on into 'Old Town'. We take a right at Palm Ave and cross the Garrison Bight and on to Eaton Street. A right on Grinnell and a left on Caroline Street and coast on home. We have ridden a little over 12 miles.

Time to sit on the porch again and read some more. Later we take another long walk with the dogs to Mallory Square to watch the sunset. After sunset we go back up Front Street and around the Bight and back home. We feed the dogs, get something to eat and settle in for the night. You may want to go out on Duval and check out the night life, but I think I will watch some TV.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Meet me at the end of the road' - Conky Tonkin'- Jimmy Buffett

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5597N, Long 81.8016W

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