My enthusiasm for staying in Key West for over a month was not solely due to the availability of rigging supplies to repair Ceol Mor. The last time we sailed here in 2016 I met an incredible woman captain during our month long stay in the boatyard on Stock Island. A friendship kindled between coats of bottom paint had endured and we remained friends. I was very much looking forward to seeing her once again and catching up. Then of course, there is Key West itself. I absolutely love Key West. I completely understand how this little city captures people and turns them into Conchs.
First a little back story. I spent 8 of my first 10 years being raised in Florida. My family has been in Florida for generations. There is a bit of Key West that reminds me of the Florida I remember.
Key West has somehow managed to be absolutely overrun with tourists and yet remain itself. There is an enormous community of really talented people- artists, musicians, chefs, sailors and they add a vibrancy to Key West that is unmistakable. Key West has fully embraced the ‘One Human Family’ tenet and everyone kinda leaves each other to do their own thing. Key West is a place I could absolutely live in full time happily.
Except no one can actually afford to live in Key West. The cost of living here was tearing through our budget at an alarming rate. “How much for an avocado?!?!”. Some islands definitely have gentler living costs than others. After Mexico, the cost of food and fuel in Key West was as much of a shock as Bahamian prices compared to Florida.
We were fortunate to have a decent place to anchor in Fleming Key Cut as there were never any mooring balls available at the City mooring field. The City of Key West made it very easy to do the right thing as a liveaboard. Sign up for free weekly pump out service, buy a dinghy dock pass for a reasonable fee and a facilities pass is available for showers and laundry facilities. Done.
Anchoring out in Fleming Key did mean an often wet and bumpy dinghy ride into town. You have several boats on moorings which can prove challenging when adjusting the scope of your anchor chain to accommodate an at times, serious current. Seems those moored boats just sit right smack dab in your swing radius. You also have boats not all swinging the same way due to currents versus wind and other little trickerys to negotiate. Then there are the ubiquitous fishing boats that like to come screaming right up through the anchorage causing a nasty wake and shake to the boats at anchor. Still, an affordable and convenient way to stay and enjoy the next 4 to 5 weeks in Key West?
Yes please.
And thank you.
