The semi-tame egret who walks our pier daily, picks small crabs from the sea grass and usually stands on a fish-cleaning table in the late afternoon, waiting for handouts as the fish are filleted. The cats wait patiently too.
Mornings are very pleasant. Today, I walked to the waterfront market to buy a breakfast croissant for Kathy and some rolls for me. The fragrant aroma of Cuban coffee is everywhere as the healthily-tanned boat skippers and their equally healthy, and very pretty, "boat bunnies" arrive for work. Preferred transportation is a usually a skateboard or bicycle, but a few use motorscooters.
While supplies are loaded and engines started; the pale, waiting tourists eagerly anticipate their day's snorkeling, fishing or sailing adventure. As the boats depart, the sound of our National Anthem drifts across the harbor while the flag is raised at the U.S. Coast Guard Station, and another Key West day begins.
At lunch-time, the harbor's bars and restaurants fill and the smell of coffee is replaced by the odor of frying seafood, margaritas and mojitos. At 1:00 PM, the afternoon tourist flotilla leaves with more eager adventurers. When they return, it will be "happy hour" with it's half-priced drinks and snacks accompanied by live music.
As daylight wanes, many will drift to vantage points to watch a beautiful sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. After supper, people will stroll along the waterfront while the bars crank up the music volume for their customers. A few hours later everything quiets, the harbor sleeps and we all await a new day.
Ebb Tide II underway
