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You step off the plane, down the steps and onto the tarmac and experience the sweet sensation of mega-humidity. You’re still technically in the States, but any resemblance to the mainland ends the minute you find yourself in a van where the taxi driver rides along with his companion and co-pilot which just happens to be a talking parrot named Mango. Welcome to the Conch Republic, the end of the road, the southernmost point of the continental United States and home to a bunch of folk who were smart enough to realize that what goes on in the rest of the country just isn’t that important to them as they have more on their mind than just a house with a white picket fence in the burbs, two kids, the PTA and bowling night. Welcome to Key West……


Key West is a unique combination of eclectic locals and foot loose and fancy free visitors. Our goal was to relax with some old friends and get caught up on each others lives. In Key West the relaxing part comes very easy. We spent many happy hours at happy hours talking, drinking and laughing with Art and Deb.

You see…last May MJ had enough foresight to realize that by early November fall would be moving into the Pittsburgh area and we would need the warmth and sunshine of Florida. Such wisdom! Just when the weather in the Steel City would be deteriorating, we were able to escape to a place where summer really never ends. Sure it gets a little cooler in January in Key West…..if you think a high temp of 70 is cooler…..

Much to our surprise and ultimate delight, when we arrived in Key West in the first week of November we learned that this was the week that 3500 Parrot Heads travel to Key West each year to party and listen to many Trop Rock bands. We have it on good authority that Jimmy Buffet has never actually appeared at this event but they keep coming year after year. They’re getting a little long in the tooth and can’t stay up late at night like they once could, but nonetheless, they still know how to have fun and remember when…As the week went on we realized it was an excuse for many baby boomers to leave their kids behind and party the way they used to. Of all the “Trop Rockers” we’ve become a John Reno fan and do a fairly interesting rendition of his hit “Jell-O Shots.” Check out this song on YouTube……great lyrics. We suspect it sounds better after a few adult beverages……

Although we like the music of Jimmy Buffet, we don’t consider ourselves Parrot Heads as these folks were well organized into local chapters spread out through the U.S. We decided that we are ‘groupies” of the Parrot Heads. You know….we just kind of followed them around and watched all the action……

We normally stay at the Southern Most Point Guesthouse but it was booked full. This time we stayed at the Key Lime Inn which seemed to be one of the main hubs of all the activities. Many Parrot Heads were staying there and on Saturday, more than several of the Buffet-style crooners performed at our little hotel much to our delight including the afore-mentioned John Reno. Later that night we saw him again down by the harbor as he was scurrying to his next gig.

For those of you who have been to Key West before you will be pleased to know that nothing or very little has changed. Everyone still goes to Mallory Square for sunset to watch all the entertainment. Crowds still flock to Sloppy Joe’s, Margaritaville and the Hog’s Breath. MJ’s favorite restaurant continues to be the Half Raw Shell Bar.

Well, long story short, we accomplished our goal; serious relaxation, good company, cold beer and good local seafood. The pictures tell the rest of the story……..

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