Crisis Management

I wake up to find that David needs to FedEx his expired ID to the company before they will send him a current one. He needs to have that for his next trip so this morning, that is job one. The only FedEx office is at the airport so that's where we're headed ASAP.

The airport is about 3 miles from the boat but we have our bikes so figure that's no big deal. The big deal is that we encounter 15 to 20 mph headwinds that we are biking against. The good news is that the trip back will be a lot easier, with the wind at our backs.

Our route takes us along the sound side of Key West, right along the beach, which is awesome. After mailing the ID, we start to head back but wonder if there's anything out here that we'd like to see. It's doubtful we'll make it back out this far. Right by the airport is an old fort that was built during the Civil War so we decide to see what that's about.

The Fort East Martello Museum has an eclectic collection of exhibits that illustrate the Keys' interesting history including sponging, Cuban influence, presidential visits and cigar making. In a glass case, there is a supposedly haunted doll. It is the ugliest doll I've ever seen and quite frankly, gave me the creeps. Not because of it's purported supernatural quality, but because this was actually a kid's doll that someone deemed appropriate for a child.

As the story goes, the little boy who's doll it was, blamed all his bad behavior on the doll, whom he named Robert. Now Robert manifests all the mischief & trouble created by the child. Allegedly, if one takes Robert's picture without his permission, he will cause you to have bad luck, in addition to ruining the picture and perhaps even all the pictures taken by the photographer. I didn't try it because, as I said, the doll creeps me out.

The museum attendant was very knowledgeable and friendly. For the $7 admission ($6 if you are a AAA member), the visit was an unexpected delight and well worth the price. We also got a restaurant recommendation from the attendant, as we realized how hungry we were after the museum visit. Off to Salute.

The restaurant is right on Hibbs Beach with a volley ball net directly in back. The place was packed, with a wait time of 15 minutes for a table. We sit at the bar and order a drink to pass the time. Meet a local realtor who give us some more restaurant/bar tips.

The hostess calls our name but by the time David gets to the podium to say we're there, she disappears, off busing tables. When she comes back, we're told it will be a couple more minutes. OK. So we wait a couple more minutes. The hostess calls us yet again and points us to a table outside, in the direct sun. When we get to it, there is someone already sitting there so we wait some more. When David points out the several tables that seem to be unoccupied, the hostess replies that she needs to put someone else there. We are finally given a table out back, with a lovely view, but in the mid-day sun. It's not so bad because there is a palm tree that helps diffuse the heat along with a lovely breeze. David & I are hoping the rest of the staff is not quite as surly.

Fortunately, that is the case. Our wait person could not be more friendly or accommodating and the food was fabulous! I would have no trouble recommending this place.

As we eat, we discuss what to do next. The answer is either a Jet Ski Tour or snorkeling. The jet ski place has a tour going out at 4:00 so we sign up to do that. We're having way too much fun so decide to stay another day and book a snorkeling trip for tomorrow.

Check in time for the jet ski trip is 3:30. The office is at the end of Duval Street, about a five minute bike ride but we have to stop and get a glasses lariat (the thingy that holds glasses to your head so they won't blow off). I check us in at the desk and ask if David & I can ride on the same jet ski. The guy says of course. Most couples do that and it's no problem. Says they have a higher powered ski for us. I tell him that if we're going to be a drag on the group then I will get my own ski but he insists it won't be a problem. As we're waiting for launch time, I overhear a conversation with another customer. He states that he had requested the higher powered ski and was told he would get it.

Our guide assembles the group together and instructs us to don our life jackets. We then are to line up and listen to a brief spiel on safety and jet ski operation. When it's time to assign us our ski, the aforementioned guy says he is supposed to get the high powered ski. The guide is a tad irritated and tells the guy that that ski is for couples and whoever told him that he could have it was giving away something that wasn't his, but in the end, the guide gives in. As everyone else is boarding their skis, David & I are taken by boat to another dock area where there are supposedly newer skis with better power.

The group makes an initial run to determine who can keep up. We are given the position of third from the end. At this assembly, we are also told that to make for a smoother ride, the single riders may want to stand up on the ski and use ones knees as a shock absorber. Having not jet skied in many years I don't see David & I trying to stand up together, going 35mph while maintaining control over this ski so, we get maximum bounce.

The tour is basically blasting around the island of Key West in and hour and a half, with stops at three points of interest: the submarine pits, a sand bar and the southern most point. There was one run that was pretty smooth but the south side of the island was the roughest and really beat us up. At the end of the trip the guide asks if we had a good time. I couldn't lie and told him it was too rough. David felt the same. If I ever do this again, I will ride on my own ski. Otherwise, forget it.

After our jet ski adventure, we head to Alonzo's for the tail end of happy hour. We decide to eat dinner at the restaurant above, the A&B Lobster House. David goes upstairs to make reservations and gets us a table on the balcony, overlooking the marina. Back to the boat to get cleaned up for dinner.

Our reservations are for 8:00 and we are seated right away upon our arrival. People without reservations are told it's an hour wait. Our table is located as promised, with a lovely breeze adding to the ambiance. We've been told that this place had the best lobster so that's what we order. It is wonderful but too much food for me so I take the rest back to the boat, for a future lunch. Not a place we would eat often as it is quite expensive but the food and view were wonderful and made for a memorable experience.

After our great meal, we walk around the marina dock then head back to Berlin's Cigar & Cocktail Bar, located in an adjacent room to the A&B Lobster House. The place has a very cozy, comfy feel and is furnished with dark brown leather couches and chairs. We settle in on one of the couches, enjoying a night cap and each others' company. All in all, a pretty great day.