This Week on the Island 10/07/2012

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.

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 Weather: Rain Monday and Tuesday but beautiful Wednesday and the rest of the week.

The book this week was ‘Oliver Twist’ by Charles Dickens.

We have Goombay (The celebration of our African Heritage) this month. That is followed by Fantasy Fest (Think Mardi Gras in the nude). Then the Parrot Heads (Jimmy Buffett followers) come to town the first of November.

Some folks will be driving to Key West. Be sure and plan on a 4 hour drive to get the 135 miles from Florida City to Key West. When you leave the mainland at Florida City you will pass The Last Chance Saloon, this is where the Border Patrol set up a road block and Key West succeeded from the Union in April 1982 and formed the Conch Republic. Next you will be on the 18 mile stretch, this is 2 lanes of highway leading to Key Largo. Lot to see after Key Largo, but at mile marker 47 you start across the 2 lane 7 mile bridge. Three miles later is the 4 lane Bahia Honda Bridge. This is a great place to pass all those slow people in front of you. The cops are waiting on the other side so slow down and get in the right lane before the end of the Bahia Honda Bridge.

The first place the Parrot Heads want to visit

But this is the first Margaritaville. It was in Lands End next to Turtle Kraals.

Shrimp Boat Sounds, Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio on the Key West Bight.

Last weeks book had some interesting facts.  ‘In January 2005, the lowest single family home for sale in Key West was a 1 bedroom, 623 sq ft, priced at $599,000. ‘At the same time the less expensive condo on the market was a 331 sq ft at $399,000.’ Of course we all know that next the bottom fell out of the housing market. People are now buying again and the prices are on the rise again.

This Key West sunset was last Sunday night looking across the bight toward Conch Republic Seafood.

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I had a physical this week. The news was excellent. I am 5’11 ½ tall (I’m getting shorter as I age) and weigh 177.5 pounds. My blood pressure was 110/70 and my pulse rate was 60. My total cholesterol was 150, with my HDL (happy cholesterol) at 47, which is higher than usual and a good thing. All in all I seem to be very healthy. I guess all that dog walking is doing me some good.

Key West, You have got to love it

'Living the life that others dream'

Doug Bennett

Lat 24.5591N, Long 81.8016W

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Sassi dancing to Schooner Wharf Bar Dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbxD3D-rPqo