Thanksgiving in Key West

I had been to Key West on an airplane for a short visit, so I thought I knew what to expect. We've all heard about the "Key West Attitude" and frankly I thought I would grow tired of it quickly. I was wrong.

I think it's back to the whole speed of travel concept. If you try to capture Key West in 48 hours, there's not enough time to "get in the groove." When you slow down and take it as it comes, Key West takes on a different flavor. Yes, there is the outlandish, but even that recedes into more of a Savannah or Charleston flavor as you slow down and take it in.

Or maybe I'm totally influenced by Linda's arrival. After weeks apart, it is so sweet to be back with her that everything looks good. The Galleon Marina is really a great place to "hole up" for Thanksgiving. It's part of a resort so we have access to a pool, Tiki bar and fishing pier. We are in the center of everything without being in a crowd.

The weather has been incredible. The wind has blown 15 to 20 every day. The locals are complaining that the wind has been so strong. We are loving it. (Sailors don't complain about wind!) We had a short rain shower one evening, but other than that it has been picture perfect. The sunsets from Mallory Square have been "off the charts." I have so many great sunset pictures that I have trouble picking which one to post here. So, here's a few. Each night, they seem to get better.









On Tuesday night, we decided to be part of the pageant. We left the Galleon Marina and sailed Agaliha along the seawall of Mallory Square where the throngs were lined up for a view of the sunset. Our modern rig allowed us to blow past the schooners (not to mention that our decks weren't laden with 50 tourists). The cruise ship "Carnival Magic" was pulling away from the dock and I contemplated calling the captain on the radio to tell him we were sailing and had rights.






We sailed back to the marina and cooked a fabulous dinner of snapper and couscous. We shared a charcoal grill on shore with other boaters because the Marina safety rules don't allow you to use your boat grill in the harbor. It's a nice way to meet your neighbors. We ate in the cockpit in the center of paradise.

On Wednesday, we walked to Mallory Square to enjoy sunset like tourists. The bagpipers and jugglers were lots of fun. With no cruise ship in harbor the crowds were down and we soaked it all in.









Maybe you noticed in the pictures that I lost my facial hair. Actually, I shaved it off a little at a time. I left the mustache until Linda told me that I looked like Will Ferrell in "Anchorman."



Well, It's just part of the journey. Can you believe I lived 57 years without every growing my facial hair? When I look at the pictures, I can see why.

Here are some other random Key West photos. It's very different to be in 85-degree heat at Thanksgiving. I could get used to it.












Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

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