Porky's (January 17, 2025)

After driving across the 7 mile bridge, we had dinner at Porky's on the water. We'd hoped to see sunset, but it was too cloudy.

 View from our table. We might not have seen the sunset anyway.

Chickens and cats. Six-toed cats at the Hemingway House, regular cats everywhere else. I guess chickens and cats get along?

Leaving Porky's. A full first day in Key West!

Seven mile bridge (January 17, 2025)

 

Before Henry Flagler built a railroad from the Florida peninsula to Key West between 1905 and 1912, access was only by boat. The project required 23 bridges. The longest was this one. Today, you can walk across the bridge, between Knights Key and Little Duck Key. Too bad it was raining when we were there.

Starting line.

The railroad was finally complete in 1912 and was called the 8th wonder of the world. Parts of the railroad remain. The 113-mile long railway remained in operation until the Labor Day hurricane in 1935. The hurricane ripped through the Florida Keys with winds estimated at 200 mph. It is considered the most intense hurricane to make landfall in the U.S.

Key West Half Marathon registration (January 17, 2025)

 Seriously. The chickens are everywhere!

We arrived right before the line officially opened.

Good thing! Way longer by the time we left.

Relaxing through the rain storm (January 17, 2025)

 What would an afternoon in Key West be without a pounding rain storm? We were snug and dry outside Sloppy Joe's.

Captain Tony's Saloon (January 17, 2025)

 

Live music, beer, bras, signed dollar bills.

Captain Tony. The politician who keeps his promises. Not like the definition of an honest Louisiana politician: "When he's bought, he stays bought." I somehow think Captain Tony wasn't for sale.

Key West chickens! (January 17, 2025)

They're everywhere! I wonder where this Mama and her chicks spend the night. We did see a flattened rooster that didn't get to the other side.
 

Roosting in a hedge outside the El Siboney Restaurant at 5505 5th Avenue, Stock Island. A favorite of locals. Incredibly delicious Puerto Rican mofongo. Trust me. A ball of fried, mashed plantains with garlic, pork, broth.

Mandatory key lime pie (January 17, 2025)

 Key limes and sweetened condensed milk. Heavenly combo!  Christopher Columbus brought key lime trees from Haiti to the Keys. Sweetened condensed milk was not invented until 1856 by Gail Borden and the pie wasn't invented until the 1890s. The name of the first key lime pie baker is lost to history.

Happy staff at the Key Lime Pie Bakery at 412 Greene Street. Looks like chocolate dipped key lime pie on the tray. Next time!

Making like Carmen, rolling cigars. Not on our thighs though (January 17, 2025)

We took a cigar rolling lesson at the Rodriguez Cigar Factory. The family emigrated to the Keys after Castro nationalized the cigar industry in their native Cuba. How did Carmen roll cigars on her thigh? Hard enough on a flat surface! The cigar flavor depends on which leaves you use.
 

Ta da!  Now the cigar must cure in a cool, dark place for 6 months. We don't have humidors so Mr. Rodriguez gave us air tight containers to store them in.

The tobacco leaves are shaped with the slicer near my elbow. Hmm. Cigar should be ready around Father's Day. Perfect!

Key West Day #1 (January 16, 2025)

Cuban nachos at El Meson de Pepe's! Sort of like Texas nachos but on banana chips. So yummy!
 

Thank you, Donna, for the hand-painted Mardi Gras bead tree glasses. We broke them in with our obligatory trip wine.

Flying to Key West for the Half Marathon (Thursday, January 16, 2025)

Nothing like being at ABIA at 4:15 a.m. for a 6:15 a.m. flight. We always have a cup of coffee after going through TSA. And no, we aren't in a sleeping area. The "Asleep" is for "Asleep at the Wheel," Ray Benson's band. Sometimes live bands play at the airport.
 

American Airlines' snack is MIA pretzels. Gave me a big head!

Big Boy in a box (January 13, 2025)

 What is it about cats and boxes? Big Boy scrunched his 17 pounds into the box we use for mail when we travel.

Happy New Year! (January 1, 2025)

 Sigh. We really tried to keep Colette off the island, especially off the clean dishes. Ja vel. Love that our Christmas cactus is still blooming. Thanks, Martin!