Taryn and Brandon have arrived in KW. I have asked Taryn to blog for you the trip down, life here in KW and the cruise.
From the moment Brandon and I stepped foot in Florida it has been a whirlwind. As many of you know Tropical Storm Fay hit Florida right in the middle of our travel plans. It all started with a flight into Fort Myers....we arrived to an airport full of paniced people stated "the hurricane is coming!". Brandon and I weren't too concerned since I had spoken to my parents several times since the storm hit and both of them agreed it wasn't anything to get upset about. We found out our flight into Key West was cancelled, so we booked a hotel room next to the airport until we could get another flight out. It had started to rain that afternoon, but Brandon and I didn't think anything of it. When we arrived at the hotel, a truck stocked full of bottled water and packaged food arrived and the hotel managed explained to us that the hotel was ready for the storm to hit and that "in case we are all stuck here for a few days, we have plenty of supplies!". Again Brandon and I just rolled our eyes since I had just hung up the phone with my mom who just said it was now clear and sunny in Key West. I called that night to re-schedule our flight for the next morning, the airport was still open.
It rain continuously through the night, and then the heart of the storm hit Tues morning. Our flight was cancelled again, and when I called to re-schedule the only flight available was for Thursday morning. Well that didn't sit well with Brandon and I since we were ready to sit on the beach and start relaxing. So we decided to check out of the hotel in the early afternoon and rent a car to drive to Key West since all other means of transportation were cancelled. The hotel refused to drive us to the airport to pick up our car due to "safety reasons", so I asked them to call us a taxi. They looked at me as if I was crazy, but I told them we were going to be in Key West by nightfall no matter what! The taxi arrived, and on the way to the airport we had to listen to the driver explain to us how the entire island of Key West was underwater and that we were crazy for going down there. During this lecture, I was on the phone with my dad who just got back from taking Dyna for a walk in the DRY, WARM streets of Key West. We picked up our car and drove to Key West in record time, only 5 hours (the tolls were suspended and no one was on the road)!
We finally arrived and to our not-much-surprise, Key West was not underwater! It was great to see my parents and my dog again. Of course it is hot and muggy, but totally worth "battling the storm" to get here. The town is completely dead from the people leaving due to the storm, which is great for us! We are now enjoying shopping on duval st, eating EVERYTHING, and soaking up way too much sun (I am already completely sunburnt). I feel bad for all those people who decided to let a "little" rain keep them from enjoying the Keys.
Tomorrow we leave for the cruise! 7 full days of excursions, eating, and having a great time! All four of us are going! We depart from Miami Saturday afternoon, with our first day on the cruise being a full day at sea. We plan to use all the luxury emenities the cruise offers. My mom and I are hitting the spa, the boys will enjoy the all-you-can eat buffets, and of course the many shows and activities that will accompany everyday life on the boat.
Our first stop on the cruise is private island the cruise ship has where we will be zip lining down a 2,600 foot line that starts on top of a mountain and ends on the white sand beach. We will also enjoy having our own private beach for the afternoon.
On Tuesday we land in Jamaica. There we will be hiking to waterfalls and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Wednesday it's off to Grand Cayman where we will be boarding a private boat for a trip around the island.
Thursday we head to Cozumel. There we are renting a car and heading to the far side of the island to hang out and do our own thing.
Friday is the last day at sea and Saturday the 30th, we dock again. It is going to be a whirlwind of fun and adventure. Brandon and I will be home soon with a nice dark tan!
So the Adventure continues with anyone who dares to venture to the island!
Will be back blogging when we return.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Surviving Tropical Storm Fay
So another chapter in the Great Adventure.... our first tropical storm!
As reported before we didn't board up any windows, just took the items off of the porch that could blow away in the wind. As we walked around town it was the same with the other locals. There were a few businesses that did close up their large store front windows on Duval. That would be the pictures that the news people show.
It wasn't all it was supposed to be. We didn't find the rain and wind anymore than any of the AZ monsoon storms we have been in. The only difference was the length of time that it lasted. Instead of blowing in and then out as a monsoon does this tropical storm lasted longer with rain continuing for hours today. Sometime very hard with lots of wind and at other times just a steady rain with no wind. It is still lightly raining tonight. Our weather machine has recorded 4 inches today.
What was really interesting was the news media and all the prep that goes into it. Since there is no way to really know how strong the storm will be or if it will turn into a hurricane there is a lot of prep that was not needed for this storm.
The most interesting was the evacuation of the tourists. We have NEVER seen the streets so empty. Some friends went out with us last night and it was only the locals hanging out at the bars and having dinner. It was an amazing time. Kinda of like having Disneyland to your self and a great group of friends. We came across a few media crews but they were very picky on who they were talking to and I think the amount of rum we had scared them off!
The bad thing is Taryn and Brandon trying to get down here. They made it to Ft Myers this afternoon but that was when the storm was passing over KW so they couldn't go any further. Now that it has passed us it is on to that part of FL. We have tried to get them flights out Tues but there are none until Thurs and same with the ferry that comes across to KW from there. So based on that they have rented a car and will leave tomorrow morning to drive down. It's only about 6 hours so they will finally make it!
One down and who knows how many more to go..... Invest 94 is the latest storm to roll off the coast of Africa that we are watching......... always watching till Nov!
As reported before we didn't board up any windows, just took the items off of the porch that could blow away in the wind. As we walked around town it was the same with the other locals. There were a few businesses that did close up their large store front windows on Duval. That would be the pictures that the news people show.
It wasn't all it was supposed to be. We didn't find the rain and wind anymore than any of the AZ monsoon storms we have been in. The only difference was the length of time that it lasted. Instead of blowing in and then out as a monsoon does this tropical storm lasted longer with rain continuing for hours today. Sometime very hard with lots of wind and at other times just a steady rain with no wind. It is still lightly raining tonight. Our weather machine has recorded 4 inches today.
What was really interesting was the news media and all the prep that goes into it. Since there is no way to really know how strong the storm will be or if it will turn into a hurricane there is a lot of prep that was not needed for this storm.
The most interesting was the evacuation of the tourists. We have NEVER seen the streets so empty. Some friends went out with us last night and it was only the locals hanging out at the bars and having dinner. It was an amazing time. Kinda of like having Disneyland to your self and a great group of friends. We came across a few media crews but they were very picky on who they were talking to and I think the amount of rum we had scared them off!
The bad thing is Taryn and Brandon trying to get down here. They made it to Ft Myers this afternoon but that was when the storm was passing over KW so they couldn't go any further. Now that it has passed us it is on to that part of FL. We have tried to get them flights out Tues but there are none until Thurs and same with the ferry that comes across to KW from there. So based on that they have rented a car and will leave tomorrow morning to drive down. It's only about 6 hours so they will finally make it!
One down and who knows how many more to go..... Invest 94 is the latest storm to roll off the coast of Africa that we are watching......... always watching till Nov!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Watching Tropical Storm Fay
Hurricane season begins June 1 each year and this year was no different. The local paper sent out their hurricane preparedness paper and we read it cover to cover. We want to be ready. We have also talked with all of our friends about previous hurricanes and what they have done or not done. Very interesting conversations about the island and past impacts from the storm. The one that did the most damage was Wilma and that was not a direct hit but the island took a high storm surge hit.
Anyway the beginning of the season has been quiet for our island as it usually is until Aug & Sept. We are also learning a lot about the weather and why it is hard to predict where the storm will hit.
As of Fri afternoon we have TS Fay headed our way. We have been watching and checking the hurricane status a couple of times a day to see what may happen. Right now Fay is only predicted to be a Category 1 and looks like the eye of the storm will go west of us sometime Mon night/Tues morning. We will get rain and wind for sure. Here is the site I use if you want to follow along on where the storm is.
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/
So Fri night for happy hour we started at Schooners, as we usually do, and of course the discussion went to the TS Fay and what may happen. No we are not boarding up the windows or planning to leave or anything unusual right now. Life on the island is pretty much as it always is on a Sat morning. We do have our hurricane kit ready with food, water, cash, batteries, candles and a hand cranked radio. We have enough supplies to last at least 3 days so at this point we are planning on staying along with everyone else we know. None of our friends have left the island for any of the previous storms (longest here is 10 years) since none of them have been a direct hit or larger than Category 1 when it got to us.
And to add to the story Taryn and Brandon are flying in for a vacation with us on Monday. Right now there plan is scheduled to land in KW at 4 pm. Depending on the storm that may be delayed. They have to change planes in Ft Myers so I am reserving them a hotel there for Mon night just in case.
So tonight we are going to play horse shoes, drink rum & cokes, hang out with friends and continue on as we usually do since it is to early to tell where Fay may go or what may happen....... just waiting and watching as this amazing Adventure continues.
Anyway the beginning of the season has been quiet for our island as it usually is until Aug & Sept. We are also learning a lot about the weather and why it is hard to predict where the storm will hit.
As of Fri afternoon we have TS Fay headed our way. We have been watching and checking the hurricane status a couple of times a day to see what may happen. Right now Fay is only predicted to be a Category 1 and looks like the eye of the storm will go west of us sometime Mon night/Tues morning. We will get rain and wind for sure. Here is the site I use if you want to follow along on where the storm is.
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/
So Fri night for happy hour we started at Schooners, as we usually do, and of course the discussion went to the TS Fay and what may happen. No we are not boarding up the windows or planning to leave or anything unusual right now. Life on the island is pretty much as it always is on a Sat morning. We do have our hurricane kit ready with food, water, cash, batteries, candles and a hand cranked radio. We have enough supplies to last at least 3 days so at this point we are planning on staying along with everyone else we know. None of our friends have left the island for any of the previous storms (longest here is 10 years) since none of them have been a direct hit or larger than Category 1 when it got to us.
And to add to the story Taryn and Brandon are flying in for a vacation with us on Monday. Right now there plan is scheduled to land in KW at 4 pm. Depending on the storm that may be delayed. They have to change planes in Ft Myers so I am reserving them a hotel there for Mon night just in case.
So tonight we are going to play horse shoes, drink rum & cokes, hang out with friends and continue on as we usually do since it is to early to tell where Fay may go or what may happen....... just waiting and watching as this amazing Adventure continues.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Dive Master Tom
Tom's work Adventure continues..........As you know Tom has been hanging out, diving as an investor and underfoot most of the time. The past week brought a new chapter in this saga.
A friend of ours, Chris, is an independent boat captain for the Lucky Dog. I have talked about him in previous blogs. Anyway Tom has been diving with Chris for years and a lot since we have relocated. We have also become friends with him and his wife, Michelle with Saturday BBQ's at their house with a group of others to play horseshoes. Yes life on the island includes horseshoes!
Anyway Chris has decided to leave the boat life and take a great job opportunity with Mel Fisher as a investor relations guy. He still wants to keep his boat business going so he has asked Tom to help out.
Tom is a WORKING Dive Master on the Lucky Dog!!!!!!
What does that mean you ask.......
Chris has a number of boat tours he offers which include taking MF investors out to dive off of the treasure salvage boats and out scuba diving out along the KW reef.
When the Lucky Dog takes investors out a dive master has to go along to guide the investors that are diving since the boat divers don't have the time. They are there to do the salvage work. Tom is now the dive master guiding these dives. YEA! (Chris is also hiring a captain to drive the boat since Tom isn't able to).
Right now that means he is out anywhere from 2 to 6 days a week (depending on weather and investors scheduled to dive) diving 4 -6 treasure dives a day. It's not a full time treasure salvage diver but it is as close as he can come at this time. He is very excited to have this opportunity.
As mentioned above there are other tours that Chris offers which include scuba diving. Tom will also be the dive master on those trips. This means he will be learning the KW waters and reef. I may even get to go along and dive.
By the way the picture at the top of the blog is one that I took of Tom when we were diving off of the Dare during one of our KW trips. It's the best treasure dive picture I have of Tom until I get a chance to get back out on one of the treasure boats and get a new one.
We are forever grateful to Chris for the opportunity in this amazing Adventure.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Battle of the Bars
Another Adventure first this last Sunday - Battle of the Bars - a battle of the local bars in a competition that has a team of 7 running through an obstacle course while doing bar stuff. It is 2 teams competing against each other until only 1 team remains. It is an ALL day event that is all about the locals coming together for a great time!What is the bar obstacle course you ask....
- First one of the team members makes margaritas, walk through cones and serve them to the team to drink them.
- Then another team member gathers up the trash in the bar and runs down to the other end of the bar area to sort out the trash, recycle and regular trash (all in the interest of being green).
- Once the trash is sorted that team member rolls a beer keg to the middle of the area.
- A different team member then taps the keg.
- Once the keg is tapped a different team member fills 7 glasses of beer with no more than a 1 inch head of beer foam.
- Then a different team member takes the filled glasses, walks a balance beam and serves to the team.
- Once all of the teams have drank the beer they are done.
As with most of the events in KW all of the proceeds go to charity. It seems that there is not a weekend that goes by where we are not at some fund raising event. I think it must be do to no state taxes in FL. The non-profit here have a hard time getting funds and need public donations. For this event the promotions went to Boys & Girls club of KW and the Literacy Foundation.
A bar can win in more than one way.
- The bar that wins the obstacle course - won by the Eaw ar Rowdies I think
- The bar that wins the most money
- The bar that has the best costume.
The results should be out in Thurs local paper.
If you would like to share in the fun I have included a link to a YouTube show of pictures. There are also a number of other videos out on YouTube of the various teams competing. Just do a search of 2008 Key West Bar Wars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8gXXJsg7IY&feature=related
I do have to warn you that the pictures and videos are not edited so it may not be for anyone who is easily offended. Remember that they don't call this place Key Weird for nothing, just another day in paradise with the locals!
It was a great day of sun, fun, food and beer as we sat at the top bar of Schooners and watched it all go on.
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