This Week on the Island 06/08/2008

'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 picture this week (click to enlarge) is 'The Sports Page' a sports bar on Green Street that has now opened. I mentioned it a few months ago when I talked about locations that business move into and never seem to make it (5 in the last 7 years). They have opened right at the beginning of 'slow time'. We will not see many tourist return until Fantasy Fest which is at Halloween. It will be interesting to see if they can make it in this location when no one else can.

The Weather: Summer is here. For the next 6 months the forecast is hot and humid with a chance for rain.

The book this week was 'Florida Keys and Key West by Nancy Toppino. It is a travel guide to the Keys. I also read 'Catcher in the Rye' by Jerome David (J.D.) Salinger. Interesting.

I really like summer in Key West. Most tourist are gone. It is a lot safer on the bicycle and most all restaurants are happy to see a local walk in because they don't have any customers.

Jo and I with Sassi and Boca took a little walk on Higg's Beach Wednesday night at low tide. We had to keep a close watch on the dogs because there are a lot of smelly things to roll in.

Some friends from Chicago are back in town. They enjoy listening to Michael McCloud at Schooner Wharf almost as much as we do.

Friday was another 14 hour day (get up at 4:00 AM) and get on the VA bus to Miami for a 15 minute appointment. We went by 'Alabama Jacks' on Card Sound Road a little before 8:00 AM (nothing was happening). We came back on the '18 Mile Strip' and I got to cross the new $90+ Million 65 foot tall Jewfish bridge. Arrived back in Key West at 6:00 PM.

Saturday we joined in a city wide cleanup. Jo and I took Caroline Street and Lazy Lane.

With the start of hurricane season, many boats are headed north. The bight has lots of empty boat slips.

Pride Fest started this weekend. (It used to be Gay-Pride Week).

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.55967N, Long 81.80169W

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