Fall 2012 Florida Keys Adventure - My Travel Journal, Part IV

Part IV: KEY WEST

Day 7 - Key West:

Chickens, Chickens, Chickens, and 

the Solar-Powered Dog

On our first full day in Key West, mom and I went on an early morning walkie before the sun came up.  There were roosters crowing everywhere, and we saw a gazillion chickens and roosters, but I was very good and didn't try to eat them.  I didn't even bark at them, despite repeated provocation.

Rooster trying to sneak up on me

I SEE you Rooster!

Mom, dad and I walked by Aunt Ginnie's old place on our way back from breakfast.  It's now part of a bar called Smokin' Tuna.

Smokin' Tuna, former residence of Aunt Ginnie

I am NOT impressed

It was a warm day, so I wore my silver cooling jacket when we were walking around town.  I got lots of comments on my jacket, but my favorite was when a man asked "is that a solar-powered dog?"  Mom replied, "no, he's a superhero."  Glad she cleared that up.

In the evening, we went to Sunset at Mallory Square, then had dinner at the Island Dogs Bar.  Of course I felt quite at home.

Mallory Square

Mallory Square

Laser eyes at the Island Dogs Bar

We went window shopping on the way back to the hotel.

I just don't think this outfit is really me

Day 8 - Key West:

SUP, Geiger Key, and 

Playing with the Locals

at Dog Beach

Mom and dad got bagels and we had breakfast sitting on a bench at the Westin marina, overlooking the water.  We had breakfast there almost every day.

Our favorite Key West breakfast spot

After breakfast, we got in the car and went to a place called Lazy Dog at Hurricane Hole Marina, and I learned to stand-up paddleboard!  At first it was a little bit scary, but I will go pretty much anywhere and do pretty much anything as long as my mom is there with me, so I simply sat on the board.  We paddled around the marina for a while, and I got more comfortable, so I lay down with my tail hanging in the water.  Then mom and I paddled around the mangroves and out the little canal into the channel, through shark-infested waters! (yes, 2 baby nurse sharks count as shark infested)  In addition to the sharks, we saw tarpon and lots of other fishies.  Mom said it was awesome being able to paddle with me.  I was SUCH a good boy -- I didn't try to jump off at all.

After paddleboarding, we met Uncle Randy & Aunt Cara at a really cool place called Geiger Key Fish Camp Restaurant.  Geiger Key is off the beaten path, and we had never been there or even heard about it, but we can count on Uncle Randy to take us to cool places.  The humans had a yummy lunch, and our very nice waitress was from Danville, VA (small world).  She brought me a big bowl of water with ice in it!

Post SUP rest time at Geiger Key
Fish Camp Restaurant

After lunch, we went to Dog Beach, where I met and played with local dogs Greta (a golden), Vita (a very cool-looking brindle boxer mix) & a little Boston Terrier whose name I didn't catch.  I played with Greta's ball while she played with my bumper.  Mom went out snorkeling and I tried to follow her, then dad and I hung out at Louie's Backyard Afterdeck while mom snorkeled.

Hanging out at the Afterdeck

At Sunset we looked for our friend Will the fireeater, but learned that Will & Kime moved away.  Will and Kime were very kind to me last year, and we had really hoped to see them again.  Sunset isn't the same without them.

Where's my friend Will?

Of course I got the usual attention and petting from people.  A lady asked to have her photo taken with me.  Another lady asked if I was a "polar bear lab" (she was serious).  After Sunset, we went to Schooner Wharf for dinner.  There were LOTS of dogs there!

I did a lot of this in Key West

All that petting was exhausting