Travel: Road trip to Key West

When life gets too hectic and we feel the need to recharge our batteries, what destination comes to mind?  You got it: Cayo Hueso (Bone Island), or what people today refer to as Key West.

We have flown from Tampa to Key West, but flights, while of short duration, are horribly expensive.  To get the full flavor of the experience, I recommend a road trip even though the stretch from Tampa down I-75 is super boring until you get to Alligator Alley where the drive becomes a little less boring.  About half way across the Everglades is a Seminole operated gas station.  We usually stop there to, well...refresh ourselves.

On the western edge of Miami you can pick up the Florida Turnpike which will lead you down to U.S. 1.  Have a SunPass or take plenty of change for the tolls and tune to a Cubano radio station for lively Latin rhythms.  The turnpike joins U.S. 1 near Florida City and just beyond keep your eyes open for the Card Sound Road.  Most of the tourist traffic stays on U.S. 1 and Card Sound provides a pleasant respite, not to mention a great mid-way stop for food, cold beer, and the first opportunity to get into the island state of mind. 

Jimmy Buffet used to stop at Alabama Jack's on his way to the keys.  That's the AJ bar, but them people in the picture ain't Buffet, in case you were confused.

After a beer and some conch fritters you hit the road again, go across the Card Sound toll bridge (cash only) and then into Key Largo and on to Key West.  Heed the speed limits and enjoy the view.

We often stay at El Patio Motel (that's Spanish for The Patio Motel in case you are not bilingual).  El Patio is on the Atlantic side of Old Town and has a real "old Florida" vibe.  It's also inexpensive. 

Our favorite bar is the Schooner Wharf Bar and next on our list is Captain Tony's.  

In this photo we see my bride buying a book autographed by the author,  Capt. Carl Peachey (on the right) with Michael McCloud (on the left).  McCloud and Peachey play together at times at the Schooner bar.  Peachey has a couple of gigs at Captain Tony's.  These two men are musical giants in Key West.  Peachey is probably the best electric guitarist I have ever heard.  Clapton could take lessons. 

    

Michael plays and sings most days between noon and four.  You can visit the Schooner without ever leaving your computer and hear Michael.  Click here.  If Michael isn't singing, then he is on break.  Grab a beer and come back in a few.

Here are two more island locals:

Our favorite Key West restaurant is Blue Heaven.  I first heard about this place in a Buffet song of the same name.  The song was pretty good, the album sucked, but the restaurant is consistently great.  Another recommendation is Alonzo's Oyster Bar.  I love this place.

Get away from Old Town while you are in Key West and head back over to Stock Island.  This is what Key West was like before it became so touristy.  We enjoyed the Hogfish Bar, but there are other venues for food and music. 

The best advice I can give you for your Key West visit:  Stay the hell off of Duval.  Duval is just for the fancy dressed cruisers and Bourbon Street barfers, not for travelers in the know.

Oh hell, if you must...

But, if you are going to do the Duval crawl, stop in at The Bull and Whistle Bar  (they are in the same building) and then after a few brewskis wander up to the roof and the Garden of Eden.  This place has a fantastic roof top garden bar.  

When that sad moment arrives when you must leave paradise we try to depart no later than eight in the morning.  If the traffic gods are smiling on us then we should hit the Hungry Tarpon on the lower keys side of Islamarada before ten for a spectacular Keys breakfast.  My favorite is Grits and Grunts.

After breakfast, pile back into your vehicle, pop the Michael McCloud CDs (you did buy his CDs, didn't you?) into the music machine and chill out on that long drive back to Tampa.

    


If you click on the Amazon boxes you will be able to preview and purchase all 26 songs from Michael's Live As I Can Be albums volume one and two in MP3 format (Note: Vol 2 in MP3 is just $8.99).  Load them on your iPod or burn them to CD and you will have a compilation of some of Michael's best work recorded live.  I have both volumes and I love them.