Wherein Zero Comes Clean -You Heard It Here First
Background: “The Wife” here is turning *5 (not allowed to say it) later this month and has decided how she wants to spend her birthday “points”. If you’ve been married 40+ years that term needs no further definition. Addendum: “The Wife” read this and noted that with the “40+ years” mention everyone will know her age. Is that true??? More “POINTS”!
So we are headed for Key West on New Years Eve.
We were there sorta by accident a few years ago. At the time it was a genuinely fascinating experience. The “Gender Optional” crew was out in force. Duval Street was closed to traffic and THEY were quite literally hanging from the balconies all along the street. Imagine clowns in lace petticoats, etc.
Little did I know that I was witnessing a transformation of the nation and our military (sadly) as well. As Jonn noted with his post, and others – I shoulda seen it coming.
How was I to know that “In the Navy” was a genuine look at the future? After all, back when I served even REAL women didn’t serve on warships.
So… “The Wife” and I will be spending time in Margaritaville on Duval Street on New Years Eve and hoping to catch glimpse of Jimmy Buffet. Then we will venture out among the other celebrants with bit of Tequila in out systems to watch and enjoy the lifestyle choices of others with newly jaundiced eyes.
Note: If my use of the term “The Wife” above and my choice of topic leads to any confusion for you lot, fear not! Jonn is the only living man I love. He still allows me to post here!
So I’ll leave you with your choices and:
Category: Geezer Alert!
Make sure you take in Mallory Square at sundown one evening while you’re down there, Zero. Worth doing once if you haven’t. It’s a trip – in the 60s sense of the word – that doesn’t require chemicals. (smile)
But you probably want to arrive there a couple of hours before sundown.
Excellent Cuban restaurant/bar right there at Mallory Square also.
After seeing the video of “In The Navy” embedded in this post, I thought Zero or Jonn was going to make a comment on stolen valor as displayed by Victor Willis and Alex Briley as neither served a day in the Navy.
😉
Always enjoy watching that video. And makes me smile.
Makes my eyes get all misty just reminiscing about those long late night showers in the….. uh I mean… Go Army! Beat Navy!
Don’t forget to visit Sloppy Joe’s and Captain Tony’s.
There’s a little general store 2 blocks east of Duval on Louisa street that has the BEST conch fritters. If you’re looking for a great bar that’s not as touristy, hit up the Bottlecap. It’s a great local hangout, and had a great piano player the last time we were there. Definitely worth a visit!
You’ll beat me and the wife down there by a couple weeks! After a number of years where vacation wasn’t a real option, given travel for work and Reserve schools and AT and needing to actually, you know, be at work ‘n shit the rest of the time, we finally said screw it, we’re going somewhere warm.
It’s a crazy island, but we love it – lots of restaurants and bars and warmth and we can’t wait…
If you can, stay at the Truman Annex of NAS Key West. Walking distance to everything and the rooms are decent. Wife and I went there in September and had a blast.
Best beach there also. They used to card everybody and kick the Civilians out. Open beers on sand without a hassle. Easy stumble from the clubs. Great place.
I was stationed at the Naval Hospital there from 1976-1979. Worked at the Esquire Lounge part-time and lived in a house on Big Coppitt Key. Best three years of my life.
Zero Ponsdorf, Happy Birthday to your wife! I do hope you have a great time. Without the need to pack eye and brain bleach for the trip.