Commodore's Comments - 2006 Keys Trip

By Dave Denmark

As always, I was almost giddy by the time Thursday night got here. I'd looked at the list at least a dozen times, made the calls, gotten things arranged, installed the new satellite radio, loaded the boat, cleaned the house again, shocked the tub, and even made sure there were at least two back-ups for every single back-up. I now was nowhere near giddy. But then the morning comes, you are cranking up the truck and pulling out to the gate, say goodbye to the dogs, pull through the gate, say more goodbyes to dogs, get on to the hard road and realize you’re low on fuel -what a dumb@$$. That was even on the list. NOT A PROBLEM... You were going to meet your friends at a gas station and then be on your way south. One missed turn, a stop or five, a few more swipes of the credit card at the pumps, some toll booths, another missed turn, and, TWO FREAKING HOURS ON US1 IN THE GREATER CORAL GABLES AREA AT PEAK RUSH HOUR, (I’m so not a Miami fan) and then the traffic breaks and before you now it you’re at the Jewfish creek bridge. And you now every thing is just down the road. Pull into the KOA, register, set up the essentials, and drink your first three beers. And realize that its all been worth it.

The weather was a little cool this year but that’s what made it different from the other years. The wind did get up to snuff for the true snobs and later in the week laid down enough for the not so snobby. Nice leisurely soaks in the hot tub and quiet dips in the pool. Thanks to Wright, Don, and Sharman, we took some beautiful boat rides to Marathon, Islamorada. and Sombrero Reef for some skin diving. Some went fishing and caught fish - some didn’t (don’t worry Robert I wasn’t there, so I won’t tell a soul). But, everyone who wanted some fish ate some fish, thanks to the generosity of the charter fishers. Fresh kings, yellow tail snapper, and a few mangroves were caught that day.

As usual, there was the trip to Key West. Those of us who went down that day certainly had a large time. Some went to the gardens and some of us enjoyed the Atlantic Beach Resort quite possibly for the last time. Then we found our way to Green Parrot for a cost effective draft beverage, next stop the Bull & Whistle for a set up and incriminating photos, and then it’s off to Mallory Square for the sunset and a little magic. Suppah that evening was at the docks and was as always to me most enjoyable. Come on, in Key West with your closest friends? It really doesn’t get much better.

Then it's back to camp and the next morning brings us bluebird skies. The sunsets this year were as gorgeous as ever. Especially when viewed through another designer gin fussed over just so by the martini man himself. Thank you Perry. This year was special because of our new designer apparel (thank you Homestead) that warned all the other KOA guests that we were there with Brian (Mau Mau) Barr. We were all quite dashing in our new bathrobes, although none so dashing as Mau Mau with his signature green flash (the only one of the week).

It was really great to see the folks that don’t always come and those who’ve never been down there with us (Scott, Julie, Matthew, Dan, Julie, Andy). All in all I think at one point there were almost thirty people in our group. Which is as many as I have seen there before.

With this being possibly the last year for us there at Fiesta Key Campground I thought it was one of the best. I came back with racoon eyes, a cold, rested, and very fond memories of some of the best bunch of buddies you could ever ask for. We’ll have to do it again next year maybe in a different location. But certain things will be the very same. See ya next year.