The McSparklesons Sail the Magic... AGAIN! $500 Potato Chips! 3/13

[jenseib]

It's been awhile since I've been to Key West, but it didn't seem like freakville to me. Maybe things have gotten wierder since I was last there. Or maybe I am so freaky that the freaks run from me.

[karajeboo]

Originally Posted by kid-at-heart

Key lime pie???? That looks more like a fudge brownie. Wellllll, Allie looks like she is about to fall asleep in the video. Like me when I am prepping for classes. Here is the video I posted today for my students to view, not nearly so interested as your video but - hey - I was drinking my new favorite Merlot while working (one of the advantages of online courses) and I thought this video was funny and educational.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo7jcI8fAuI

I hope Allie's birthday improved for her. I think it would be really cool to be able to say you celebrated your birthday on a cruise ship.

It was chocolate covered frozen key lime pie!!! But it was bittersweet chocolate, for one, and also just not great pie. But much better pie will be featured later!!!!

Originally Posted by jenseib

It's been awhile since I've been to Key West, but it didn't seem like freakville to me. Maybe things have gotten wierder since I was last there. Or maybe I am so freaky that the freaks run from me.

It wasn't that bad really. But a lot of tattoos and piercings, and dogs with dyed hair, just really blew her mind!

[Beth D]

Freakville sounds like a great place to people watch!

Happy BDay Allie! Love the pic of the phone queen!

I think OU has just about as many bars as OSU & Key West, ever do the Court Street Shuffle anyone? (Stop and have a drink at every bar on the street, in one day! It's only about 4 blocks long, but I think there's 15+ in that short area!)

[tony64]

Hi Kara

We have a week in the keys in November and we are planning one day in Key West, is there anything we shouldn't miss?

[podsnel]

No! You can come visit ME!

[DWGal210]

New reader and here!! Girl, you are a hoot! Lovin this TR!!

Great start so far!

- Katie

[karajeboo]

Originally Posted by Beth D

Freakville sounds like a great place to people watch!

Happy BDay Allie! Love the pic of the phone queen!

I think OU has just about as many bars as OSU & Key West, ever do the Court Street Shuffle anyone? (Stop and have a drink at every bar on the street, in one day! It's only about 4 blocks long, but I think there's 15+ in that short area!)

I think Ally may have compared Key West to Walmart in that regard.....

Originally Posted by tony64

Hi Kara

We have a week in the keys in November and we are planning one day in Key West, is there anything we shouldn't miss?

Well, aside from the hung over train operator, the "clothing optional" bar we passed, and the chickens in the road - don't even ask, because I KNOW why they crossed and it will be covered later..... um, I think you need to hit Kermit's for key lime pie, the southernmost point, that is really more northern than the real southernmost point (but don't argue that with the locals, they get snippy), and a trip down Duval St, I think you'll have it covered!

Originally Posted by podsnel

No! You can come visit ME!

Originally Posted by DWGal210

New reader and here!! Girl, you are a hoot! Lovin this TR!!

Great start so far!

- Katie

Thanx Katie!!!! I'm working on uploading my pics from my phone. For some reason photobucket does not like iPhoto, and therefore makes it tough to get my pics.... But I'm getting there!

[karajeboo]

While on the train tour, we could hop off at 4 different spots. The first stop was about 2 minutes and maybe 200 yards from where we got on.... don't ask.... so needless to say, we didn't hop off there.

After our guide drank about 3 bottles of Gatorade before we even left the station - that would be station #2. Which leaves and goes to Station #1. But you can't board at Station #1. That would be silly, why would you even try? No, you buy your ticket across the street from Station #2, they point out Station #1 but tell you not to go there. Go to Station #2. Ride 200 yards to Station #2 and if you need to use the restroom or get a snack, well then let me suggest Depends and a bag of chips, cause Honey, you in for a looooooong ride after this!

What was that about our guide? Yes, every time he lifted his sunglasses to read the log, he squinted, popped a couple aspirin and downed a Gatorade. When the gal from the sales desk (across from Station #2, NOT Station #1!) came out to check off paid customers, she attempted to talk to him. At which time he downed a couple aspirin and another Gatorade.

Something tells me ole train driver was on Duval St the night before!!!!!

When we finally got going, and the excitement got to be too much for Ally, we pushed her out and told train driver to hurry up before she caught us again!!!!

Not really...... Although that would have been funny, huh?

When we did hop off at Station #3, kind of close, but sort of far, from the not so Southernmost Point, we were hush puppying it quite a ways, when we saw....



Now do you understand? The question has been answered!!!! WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?????

Anyone? Anyone?

To get to his home with a rock yard!!!! DUH!!!!!

Or it could have been to get out of the way of the hungover train drivers....

Anywho.....

Oh, one more tip for anyone riding with hungover train drivers and getting on at Station #2 before stopping for a potty break and a bag of chips 2 minutes and 200 yards later..... do NOT wait until Station #3 to use the "facilities." Because Station #3 is not a station, therefore there ARE NO FREAKIN FACILITIES!!!!! And every establishment has signs, "no public restrooms" - so now that I think about it, maybe the chicken crossed the road to get to his own blasted toilet!!!!!

And yet one more observation. It is VERY bumpy between Station #3 with no facilities and Station #4 which does!!!!!!!

And the sights between Station #3 and #4? I'm not sure cause all I could think about was #2......

About the time we got back to Station #2, which we all know followed Station #4, Jeff got a call from his college fraternity brother saying he was off work and could meet us in front of the cruise ship terminals, which was right near Station #2.... a mere 200 yards from Station #1.

So a few minutes later out pops Jeff's buddy and escorts us all to the Conch Republic Seafood Company.

Luckily we could walk without the assistance of hungover train drivers.....

But it was happy hour. So we decided to get happy. All except for Ally, who was NOT happy that it was happy hour.

But she LOOKS happy?



This was BEFORE Freak of the Day sat down next to her, lit up a clove ciggy, and introduced himself.



Freak: Hey honey, do you mind if I smoke?
Ally: I guess not.
Freak: Is this your first time in Key West?
Ally: Uh huh....
Freak: What do you think?
Ally: It's okay.
Freak: How old are you?
Ally: 11
Freak: Come back in 10 years and you'll love it......

Now in Freak's defense, he was really a nice guy who was trying to make small talk with an 11 year old. Not too many 11 year olds sitting at the bar in Key West.....

But it was the coolest place, and off the beaten path. If you're there, head to this place and bypass Sloppy Joe's, Margaritaville, etc. Conch Republic Seafood Company sits right on the marina, looked to have good Caribbean pub grub, and was an open air bar (which is why the smoking didn't bother me, and I'm a reformed smoker!) with a live band and cold drinks - and the best Happy Hour around!!!!

When we left the restaurant, Jeff's friend Mark pointed us to a small white building to the left.... Jimmy Buffet's recording studio!!!! Now THAT was not on any tour!



And right on the opposite corner....

Nirvana. In a plastic triangle.



Everyone asks, "Where is the best key lime pie in Key West?"

Right here, my friends, right here.



Well, at least I think it was good. Jeff had one bite. I had one bite and another trailing nibble, while Ally snarfed it down.

But let me just say.... it was goooooooood!

After that, I took Ally back to the ship and grabbed Tammi, who was at dinner with Tori, and asked her if she wanted to head back into KW and grab a cocktail.....

So off we went and met up with the boys again. This time we hung out in the plaza right next to the port, so we could watch a REAL Key West sunset.



You'll notice the blue skies? Yeah, not so much to the WEST, which is where the stinking sun actually sets!!!!! So no sunset tonight. But that didn't stop the freaks from hanging in Freakville and watching the Freakville performers in the square!

Actually, it was really nice. It was a very festive, if a bit raucous crowd. I think because the ONLY ship in port was a Disney ship, it wasn't bad. I'm imagining some of the party barges showing up and I'll bet it's a free for all!!!!

All aboard was 9:30 and at about 8:00 Tammi and I decided to head back - we were a bit nervous. I gave Jeff the look and told him to have fun with his little friend but he'd better not miss the ship.



Some pics of our beautiful ship on our way back, a full one and a half hours before all aboard.....







Up next: The ship is moving but I haven't seen Jeff yet?

[CRdisMom]

Mmmmm pie! On my list to do in August. As is the conch place. I guess I'll fit right in since I'm a freak baby! Lol. I can see Ally's eyes when that guy was talking to her. Lol

[lafa]

OH NO!!!

This sounds familiar! Last year on our second Cabo stop, I stayed on the ship with my kids, while my brother and husband explored the bars...Cabo Wabo and Senor Frogs.

Well, the ship started moving and I had no idea where they were!! I called Guest Services and asked if they could tell me if they were ON the ship. The wonderful CM told me YES!

ONE HOUR later my husband opens the cabin door (trips over the threshold) and falls into bed. Yeah, my brother made it to dinner but my husband didn't! And my husband can usually handle his tequila. To this day, he swears someone put something in his drink!!

Hope your hubby made it back!

(love your TRs btw!!!)

[Jillpie]

Cliffhanger, c'mon you cannot make us wait tonite, Dis rules say you have to come back this minute, with an answer.

[tony64]

Kermit's for Key Lime Pie is now on the list.

I hope Jeff made it? If he did I bet he still got "the look" for not letting you know he'd made it back in time.

[MAGICFOR2]

Poor bored Ally! I know you made it up to her by buying her a D&B wallet or something right? The pie looks yummy. I have never eaten a Key Lime Pie that wasn't bitter. I finally gave up.

Now I have slipped over the edge and the rocks are falling all around me....my...hands...are....slipping.... COME BACK!!!!

[JKSWonder]

We took the trolley tour (a green and orange trolley?) on Key West. It was o.k., just something we could do with the kids. It did pass by and point out Jimmy Buffet's studio, so I guess we were on a different ride from you.

I can't remember what or where we ate, though I must have fed them something. I know we had chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick at one point.

I think I might like to visit here again, sans kids. We didn't visit any of the bars because they were with us, but I did make them go to the wine store that was a few blocks from the Port. I picked up a Key Lime Wine and a pineapple flavored wine. It was a tiny place, but the people there were nice and offered me a wine tasting of a few things which made them even nicer!

[kgoldenh]

Kermit's rocks!!! We stopped at every place we could think of so that Addie could try her pie. Kermit's was her fave over all. Loved that place.

Oh Kara - you are so right about the train. It was like our trip all over again. We ended up at one stop and had to wait almost 45 minutes for a vehicle that was not packed. We ended up walking a lot - which was good considering how much key lime pie we had had.

OK I am ready to read the next installment.

Kate