September 8-9 Old Guy Goes Wild in Key West

One of my ladies from my Wild Night in Key West

The rest of the Story

Day two, we were up and on the road by 6:30 as we want to get to Key West early enough to do some sightseeing while there.  On the way we stopped at the Boy Scout Sea Base in Islamorada to meet Steve Willis the Program Director in person and thank him for allowing us to stay overnight when I ride back North.  Steve showed us around the base and the room we’d be staying in tomorrow night.  It’s
nice to know my 20 years of serving the BSA in various leadership capacities is
appreciated.  We arrived in Key West around four and had no problem finding Judy and Tom’s home as Judy had provided excellent directions.

Judy and Tom were enthusiastic to see us inviting us into their home as if we were old friends.  Judy a slender gal with snow white hair, twinkle in her eyes and full of
energy (she reminded me of Suzy in Oregon) showed us the room we’d be staying
in.  While Tom a tall barrel chested man with a jolly good nature said he’d offer us a beer but he and another friend had just finished off all the cold ones.  He’d get more in the refrigerator for later.  He also invited us to dinner and said it would be ready about 7:00 and hoped we would join them which we gladly agreed too.  I don’t think I’ll ever get over being amazed at how folks have invited me into their home with open arms, it’s awesome.

After telling Tom and Judy my plan was to leave about seven in the morning they responded, “No one can come to Key West in late afternoon and leave first thing the next morning.  You have to stay at least one more day, two would be better”.  I chuckled and looked at Mark and asked him if he’d be willing to stay an extra day.
He agreed immediately as that is what he’d wanted to do.  Sorry Mark I thought you wanted to get up to your daughter’s home due haste.  Guess I should have communicated better with Mark as I too wanted to spend a day in Key West.  Tom said it’s settled then, you two will be our welcome to stay as long as you like.  Judy then began telling us of all the sights to see in and around Key West. Whew!  We’d need a week to see them all.  I told her we’d catch as many sights as possible especially the Conch Train ride as she said it was an hour and half long and gave a good but brief tour of Key West.  Then Mark and I were off to the two places that were on my list from visiting with classmate Dick in Denver which is Pepe’s Café and Aaron’s “You have to go to the Hog’s Breadth Saloon, it’s the wildest place in Key West”.  At the advice of Judy and Tom we rode our bikes instead of taking the car and trying to find a parking place for it.  Tom said Key West is only 2 miles wide by 4 miles long and the preferred method of getting around by locals is on a bicycle.

We arrived at Pepe’s Café in time for Happy Hour.  Mark ordered a 12 ounce draft beer for a buck and I went for the $5.00 Margarita as waitress Cindy told me they are made with fresh squeezed Key Lime juice.  What she failed to mention was they had a little juice and lots of tequila, a couple of these babies and I’d be blitzed, maybe already was.  Cindy was really friendly and helpful telling us about the island and even told us how to get to our next stop the Hog’s Breadth Saloon.  She assured further assured us Aaron was right it’s a wild place and we’d have a great time.  With that Mark and I pedaled the couple blocks to the Hog’s Breadth Saloon.
Damm!  I missed locking my right foot cleat in before pedaling away and twisted my ankle pretty good when my foot slammed into the side of a curb.  Whew!  Good thing I had that Margarita as it sure would have hurt a lot more than it did.  Since this journal entry is being done on September 30th I can tell you my ankle still bothers me when I push hard on the pedals.  Good work Old have another drink.

Arriving at Hog’s Breadth the place was packed and it was only 5:30.  We walked around the place a couple times before two stools at the little side bar came available.  We sat down ordered a couple drafts and were shocked at the price and size of these beers at $3.00 for an 8 ounce glass.  If I planned on drinking more
then a couple beers I would have hoofed it back to Pepe’s instead of staying here.  That said they did have a pretty good duet playing 60s and 70s melodies and I liked seeing all the people around me as I’m a people watcher.  This brings me to the Old Guy Going Wild.

Watching the duet perform I couldn’t help notice there were six gals at the table between us and the stage staring at me and whispering to each other.  Their looks and actions gave me the feeling they were a Pride of lionesses looking at a fresh piece of meat licking their lips waiting to pounce.  Now I have a pretty good idea of what gals must be thinking when a group of guys stare at them.  Not being bashful or feeling any restraint after having a stout Margarita and a couple beers I got up and walked over to the girls and asked them, “Ok girls are you talking about me”.  Sure enough they were but it was mostly about my bicycle shoe with the bright yellow duct tape holding it together or so they said.  I shared with them why the shoe was in such poor condition which led to discussing my adventure as well as their adventure here at Key West.  I also added to the conversation this is Ms.
Vickie and my 39^th wedding anniversary but she is in Missouri and I’m here alone, well with Mark and friends but no Ms. Vickie.  Next thing I know a couple of the gals are giving me hugs; one even gave me a couple pecks on my cheek.  All of this led to them needing pictures of all of us together.  One of the gals even sat on my lap for a picture but she got a rise out of that I did.  Nasty me!   We joked and teased each other as they were in Key West for a good time.  One of the gals asked if I had five friends like me that could join our party.  I couldn’t resist and replied I was a “One of a Kind” and could have taken care of their needs back in the time.
That line I stole from Tobey’s Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was” I like the song so much I have it as my ringtone on my cell.  See what a little tequila and beer can do to loosen one’s tongue and inhibitions.  Before leaving the girls they invited me to join them at the Adam and Eve Club later.  I asked what kind of place it was and one of them responded it was a clothes optional bar and they didn’t plan on wearing any clothes.  I told them I wouldn’t be able to join them as I’d at least need a fig leaf and didn’t know where I could fine one small enough.  They said skip the fig leaf.  With that I bid the gals goodbye and told them I’d see them later.  Hey, I didn’t really plan on seeing them later as we were going to have dinner with Tom, Judy and Judy’s sister.  Judy had told us Tom is a pretty good cook and this Old Guy will take the food and good company this evening.  But it was fun to flirt with the gals but that was about as far as I was willing to go.  It did make for a fun afternoon and the Hog’s Breadth Saloon lived up to its reputation.  Besides it gave me something different to share with you.  “Old Guy Goes Wild in Key West” catchy title don’t you think?

Follow