Music and events that happen in Key West as observed by Chris Rehm. "What Happens in Key West Stays in Key West" Wrong! Everyone wants to know what's happening in Key West!
Sometimes the simplest things are the most rewarding.
A few days ago I heard from a friend whom I have always thought of as one of the absolute top Trop Rock fans in the country, if not the world. As a fan, we're talking about an icon. He's very active in his club and attends many Trop Rock events throughout the country all year.
I've always looked to him as a barometer for what the crowd's perspective is on events, artists, and so forth. I didn't have to ask him, I'd just read his Facebook posts and that filled me in. He unknowingly gave a pretty good pulse reading for me in that regard! Plus, we always manage to hook up at MOTM between one and three times, depending on my schedule. HA! HA! HA!
So, a few days ago I got a Facebook message from him. Imagine my surprise when I read this:
“Hey Chris I just wanted to say that of all the Trop Rock singers, you are still my favorite of all times!”
Frankly, I was completely floored. I really was speechless and choked up at the same time. I was at a loss for words for a couple of minutes. How do I respond to that? I was completely both floored and flattered.
Gulp.
I'll leave his name out of it, but this is just my way to say “THANK YOU!!!”
Thank you for reading my blog! Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journies and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!
Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!
There was a time where I lived in an inhospitable climate. I had originally moved to Florida when I was 20. I lived here for several years, then I moved to Boston. Boston was great... for six months of the year... I lived there for a bunch of years, always longing to be back in a climate where I could BBQ year round and wear a t-shirt all the time. Finally, I moved back to Miami/Dade. I had that opportunity/capability and I made it happen. Not everyone does. Family, career, obligations all can get in the way. I was very, very fortunate.
Since I had the ability to be on the internet I would post pictures of the general area I lived in. I had friends on first, MySpace, then Facebook, all around the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe.
Back when I was in Boston, in the middle of January, If I'd see a picture of a tropical scene, it gave me that breath of fresh air I needed to go out and dig my car out of the snow. It showed me there was light at the end of the “Long Gray Tunnel” of winter. MySpace and later, Facebook, gave me that opportunity to give that breath of fresh air to my friends.
Doing it also garnered responses which brought comments such as “Oh! You're just throwing it in our faces!” or “Oh, thanks! Nice guy!”
That was Never anything close to my intent. Anyone who knows me would know that I'm the last person to be posting tropical pictures in a flippant manner, snubbing my nose at anyone.
That's not me at all. Never has been, nor ever will be. This is not for someone who is looking for the negative. This is for someone looking for the positive.
So, if you can look at these pictures and get that breath of fresh air, actually smell the air, with the fragrance of jasmine permeating the night, or getting the tropical salt air in your olfactory seances, this is for you!
With the understanding that this is only here to give you that sense of taking the weight of winter off your shoulders, a fresh breath, and the inspiration to continue on, as this is giving you that sight of the light at the end of the tunnel, please continue... and ENJOY!!!!
Pepe's on Caroline Street in Key West is a true classic. It's the oldest eating establishment in Key West, dating back to 1909. Pepe's, in a bygone era, used to be in the location of where today "Rick's" is located. It's currently located at 806 Caroline St. They are known for their outstanding breakfasts, however, their dinners are beyond reproach. Don't miss their happy hour either!
There's nothing in the world that can compare to subtlety. Reading between the lines is not only a creative insight but also a perception of the imagination. The subtlety found walking the streets of Old Town, Key West is beyond rewarding. The nooks and crannies permeate the island's oldest section.
Donkey Milk Lane. The lanes of Key West are generally alleyways that extend wide enough for one car. They also are access to homes hidden away from the regular streets. For the most part, they are dead ends. What exists down these mysterious allies? What homes are down there? Mysteries waiting to be unfurled. Take a walk down one and discover!
This beautiful home captures so much of what Key West is all about. Additionally, it's not the home itself, but what is outside of it, bicycles! We see five bicycles out front and a man riding his across the street. Key West could very well be the highest bike transportation per capita percentage in the U.S. Riding a bike in Key West only makes sense on so many levels. The town is largely flat, to start with, so it's easy. Use common sense when riding, however! If in a group of two or more, ride single file! Driving a car in Key West is insane for the most part. Walk or ride a bike.
There are over 130 eyebrow houses in Key West. The roof was extended to shade the air to the upper windows, so that cooler air would circulate the homes.
The palms almost cascading in front of a home in Old Town is nothing short of breathtaking and inspiring!
To walk through a tropical abundance of plants, to a door of a home once owned and built by a New England sea captain, can only be stimulating to the imagination of, not only what you'll see upon entering, but also what you would have seen in the 1800's. Many homes in Old Town were built as winter homes by New England sea captains.
Yes, this can only be Key West
Ping Pong at the fabulous Blue Heaven Restaurant
My backyard, Key West
The true measure of a great bar in Key West is one that attracts both locals and visitors, for both to engage in wonderful conversation over a libation. The Cork and Stogie at 1218 Duval St, is a perfect example of this.
To be continued on the next blog.
Thank you for reading my blog! Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journies and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!
Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!
“Dockside Bar” was written on 7/1/2007. I was not living in the Keys at the time, but Cutler Bay, about a half hour north of Key Largo. I would often head to the Keys on the weekend, just for a breath of fresh are, so to speak. It was remarkable as all the weight of the world was suddenly off my shoulders!
On these short trips, I would go to bars such as Alabama Jack's, The Caribbean Club, Smugglers Cove, The Dockside Bar, Sharkey's, Snappers,... which all are on the water, which was an essential objective for what I was looking for.
The idea of just sitting at a local bar, enjoying a cold beer on a lazy afternoon in the Keys, looking out at the water glistening in the sun and watching the goings on, is my idea of heaven. Seriously, what could be better?
The storylines that the song covers is a combination of true stories of things I observed. The first verse is self-explanatory “Bartender, give me another, if you please”.
The second line about the three men working on the dock actually did happen and one did say “ I have a plan, 'cause we're going for broke or we'll die right here”
Squalls do blow in and out, from time to time. Almost always when they blow in, stay for about an hour, after which it returns to a beautiful day.
At another place I was at, a boat pulled up to the dock, surprising friends who were there, they all jumped in and about an hour or so later, returned with a 35 lb. wahoo that the bar cooked up for them.
So the song covers a few bases.
1) It's about The Keys
2) It's about dockside bars
3) It's about going out on the water and fishing
4) It's about day-to-day life for many
5) It's about celebrating life
6) And finally, it transports the listener away from their work, their day-to-day life, their troubles, and whatever anxieties they may have, sitting them on a bar stool in the Florida Keys, watching the water glisten and the goings on that happen in such a marvelous places.... even if it is only for three minutes and fifty-six seconds.
But, more often than not, three minutes and fifty-six seconds is all it really takes to re-charge one's outlook on the day!
SITTING HERE AT THIS DOCKSIDE BAR IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
BARTENDER BRING ME ANOTHER IF YOU PLEASE
2
CEILING FAN SPINNING SLOW CREATES A NICE COOL BREEZE
OPEN AIR'S THE ONLY WAY TO GO DOWN HERE
3
THREE MEN WORKING ON THE DOCK YOU KNOW, ONE SAYS HE'S GOT A PLAN
SAYS HE'LL GO FOR BROKE OR HE'LL DIE RIGHT HERE
NOW A SQUALL'S BLOWING IN, IT'LL ONLY LAST AN HOUR
AND BE BACK SUNNY BEFORE LONG
WE'LL ALL BE HERE JUST COMMISERATING
ABOUT THE FISH THAT GOT AWAY FROM LOU
YOU KNOW IT WAS A WAHOO
4
BILLY JOE PULLS UP ON A BOAT LOADED WITH FISHING GEAR
WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING AS WE HEAD ON OUT OF HERE
5
SO WE'RE HEADING ON 'BOUT THREE MILE OUT, WE GOT TENSION ON THE REEL
IT'S THE MOTHER LOAD AND THIS IS THE REAL DEAL
BRING IT BACK AND THEY'LL COOK OUR CATCH
AND PAY US FOR THE EXTRA TOO
WE'LL ALL BE HERE JUST SUCKING ON A BEER
AND CHEWING ON LOU'S WAHOO
YOU KNOW HE'S GETTIN' IT TATTOOED
6
SITTING HERE AT THIS DOCKSIDE BAR IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
BARTENDER BRING ME ANOTHER IF YOU PLEASE
'CAUSE WE'RE GOING FOR BROKE OR WE'LL DIE RIGHT HERE
WE'RE GAFFED LIKE A FISH WE AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE
'CAUSE WE'RE GOING FOR BROKE AND WE'LL DIE RIGHT HERE
RIGHT HERE
YEAH, WE'RE GOING FOR BROKE OR WE'LL DIE RIGHT HERE.
