Terry wanted to stop at this spot in the upper Keys to get a drink at a 3 story high Tiki Bar. I ordered a Margarita and Terry had some frozen pink drink. Once I had finished my drink I got antsy and wanted to sketch. I walked to the docks where all the charter fishing boats go out.
Terry and I had taken a snorkeling charter from this marina some years ago. I spent most of that snorkeling trip on my back on the upper deck of the boat, with numb extremities, hoping I would live to feel firm land beneath my feet again. We had gone out with a group of scuba divers. After all the divers had left I was encouraged to jump in the water since then I wouldn’t be rocking back and forth. The struggle to get my flippers and mask on made my sea sickness worse and just before I jumped off the boat, the last of what was in my stomach came flying out onto the churning ocean. I fell forward into the filthy water. The flippers I had rented were to big and one slipped off my foot and drifted down to the distant ocean floor. Once in the water I found myself surrounded by jellyfish which proceeded to sting me every time I touched one. Needless to say I don’t really have fond memories of this particular dock although I was eternally grateful when I finally made it back to land. Before I finished this sketch a huge truck parked in front of me blocking my view. I filled in details that could still be seen. So much of the trick about sketching on location is learning to accept setbacks and avoiding frustration. It started to rain so I declared the sketch finished and I ran for the cover of an awning.
Mallory Square
We only went as far as Key West one evening to watch the sunset. Well actually I had my back to the sunset to watch the tourists. I was leaning against a chain link fence and as the sunset a crowd of tourists pressed up against me to get a better view. Many resorted to thrusting their cameras in the air trying to get a perfect shot. Two bag pipers were wailing the whole time. A mystic sat at a table offering tarot card readings. There were performers in every corner of the square. Some juggled fire while others acted like statues. This stands in stark contrast to Orlando where street performers are banned.
Dolphin Encounter Duck Key
Terry and I took a week off and went to the Keys. It was about a five hour drive from Orlando. We stayed at a place called Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key. The room rates were surprisingly low. On the second day we went over to see the dolphin encounter which happens on property every morning. It costs $60 for the encounter on the docks but the porch overlooks the lagoon and seating is free. The dolphins did the usual tricks like wave hello, splash and jump. A hotel worker who was walking by trying to sell convention space to several prospects said “The owner considers the dolphins his best employees. They start nice and early and don’t complain.”
After the show,Terry and I went snorkeling in a small man made lagoon I like to call the Mud Puddle. There were jellyfish on the bottom and a few fish. The day before I had been stung in the face by a jelly, so I was cautious about swimming in saltwater again. Here the jellyfish stayed on the bottom belly up. Jellyfish are evil!