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THE CONCH REPUBLIC

Know the Lingo: Duval Crawl= bar hopping, Conch= mollusk or local resident
Drink Specials: Margaritas, Rum Specialties, Beer and more Beer
Local Foods: Conch Fritters, Lobster, Stone Crab, Pink Shrimp, Cuban flare
Local Products: Cigars, Key Lime everything!

Only 90 miles from Cuba, Key West Florida is the southernmost U.S. town and has the highest average temperature in the U.S. at 77 ° F. Spanish explorers called Key West Cayo Hueso or “Bone Island”, as they witnessed the unearthed remains of shallow Indian burial sites. Key West is also known as pirate country and was once the richest town in the country for the salvaged ship wrecks. Key West has been know as the Conch Republic since it “seceded” from the union on April 23, 1982. Conchs proudly state “We Seceded Where Others Failed”. With a laid back come as you are attitude, Key West allows for a stylish dress code of t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. Beautiful weather, a funky atmosphere, and eccentric residents from all walks of life is why Captain Ryan loves the Conch Republic.

THINGS TO DO IN KEY WEST
By Captain Ryan

1. The DUVAL CRAWL.
2. Watch a Key West sunset at Mallory Square.
3. Incredible dining with the freshest local seafood.
4. Smathers Beach, Higgins Beach, or Fort Zachary Taylor.
5. Tour Old Town by way of bicycle.
6. Tour the historic Hemingway House.
7. Shop at the unique boutiques and art galleries.
8. Sport fishing, Sailing, diving and snorkeling.
9. Get body painted at Fantasy Fest.
10. Live music and happy hour specials!
11. THE BREAKFAST CLUB OF KEY WEST
12.Tour the Mel Fisher museum.

EVENTS
Fantasy Fest
During Fantasy Fest, party goers flock to Key West, FL for ten days of wild Mardi Gras style fun in the sun. The ten day festival is filled with parades, street fairs, costume parties, toga parties, body painting, and bead exchanging alaMardi Gras style. Despite the estimated 70,000 party goers, there is a safe and friendly island vibe. Held at the end of October near Halloween, this annual event is the erotic carnival of the Florida Keys.

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Parrotheads in Paradise
The annual Meeting of the Minds is held the weekend following Fantasy Fest. Meeting of the Minds is the meeting place for thousands of faithful Jimmy Buffett fans to sing, dance, drink, and listen to their favorite artists live on stage.

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LEGENDS OF THE CONCH REPUBLIC
Jimmy Buffett
You know the song “strumming my six string on my front porch swing”. Key West, FL is the inspiration to what is now know as “Margaritaville“.
www.margaritaville.com

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AN EXCERPT FROM A PIRATE LOOKS AT FIFTY

“The Puritans had never made it this far south, thank God. Key West has always been a place with such a diversity of lifestyle that being gay didn’t matter.

Then there were the shrimpers. Talk about a group of individuals with a reputation for bad behavior. They made rock bands look like church choirs. They, too gathered at the end of the road because their bad behavior was tolerated.

Into this already boiling melting pot, you add the ghost of Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and the living presence of a host of other writers, musicians, and artists. In case that isn’t picante enough, throw in a little hot-blooded Cuban spice: Cuban coffee, Cuban cigars, Cuban restaurants, and Cuban Sandwiches. There are still bollito betting parlors on every street corner and cockfights on Stock Island. The Western Union telegraph line still runs under the ocean from Cable beach to downtown Havana. Throw all this together on a three-by-five island, and you have a pretty interesting place to call home.”

 Jimmy Buffett
A Pirate Looks At Fifty

Mel Fisher
The legendary treasure hunter that recovered over 400 million dollars in silver, gold, and precious jewels for the Atocha. Mel Fisher believed in romance and adventure. Fisher is immortalized by his now famous words “today is the day”.
www.melfisher.com

Ernest Hemingway
Ernest “Papa” Hemingway came to Key West, Florida in 1928. It was in Key West that he found inspiration and wrote Death In the Afternoon, Winner Take Nothing, The Green Hills of Africa, To Have or Not, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, For Whom The Bell Tolls, and The Short, Happy Life of Franis Macomber. Papa was legendary not only as an author, but also as a hunter and fisherman. During his childhood Hemingway fished and hunted in Northern Michigan. As an adult Hemingway was a sport fisherman and a safari hunter in Africa.
Papa Hemingway was also known for his drinking. He regularly spent his afternoons at the orginal Sloppy Joe’s at 428 Green Street. Hemingway became good friends and fishing buddies with Sloppy Joe’s owner Joe Russell. Russell and Hemingway would often sail to Cuba on fishing excursions. In Havana, Cuba Ernest became quite fond of their frozen daiquiris and mojitos. At the The La Floridita bar in Havana, they would server their daiquiris with grapefruit juice, and Maraschino liqueur. Hemingway liked a stiff drink, so he always requested a double shot of rum. The bartenders at La Floridita would soon begin calling Hemingway “Papa Dobles”, meaning Papa doubles. This is how Papa Dobles or The Hemingway Daiquiri was born. In 1939 Ernest Hemingway left Key West, FL and moved to Havana.

Shel Silverstein
Shel is a famous writer who resided in the southernmost city. Although Shel wrote songs, he was most famous for his children’s books Where The Sidewalk Ends, A Light In the Attic, and the Captain’s favorite, The Giving Tree.
www.shelsilverstein.com

Captain Tony
Anthony Tarracino arrived in Key West by way of a milk truck in 1948. He barely escaped New Jersey with his life after he scammed a bookie gambling. That’s just where the story begins as the legendary Captain Tony Tarracino has a resume that includes charter boat captain, professional gambler, gunrunner, and saloon owner. Tony has also dabbled in politics. He is the former major of Key West and used Jimmy Buffett as his campaign manager. Captain Tony has been married three times, and has thirteen children, one of whom is Keith Famie a chef from West Bloomfield, MI. You may know Keith by his appearance on CBS’s “Survivor the Australian Outback“.

I had the unique pleasure of meeting Captain Tony a few years back in Key West. While chatting with Captain Tony, I noticed a picture at the table where he was seated. The photo was of Jimmy Buffett and the Captain himself. Inquisitively, I asked him about the picture. Tony stated the picture was taken last year in Detroit at the Jimmy Buffett concert. I replied, “Small world, we were at that show and saw you on stage“. I then asked him “Do you go to many of the Buffett concerts“? He immediately declared, “Yes, it’s a great way to meet hookers”. At first I was taken off guard by his comment and I was unsure how to respond. In astonishment, I quickly replied “Well, at least you’re getting out and meeting new people”.

“All you need in this life is a tremendous sex drive and a great ego…
brain's don't mean a shit!“

Captain Tony Tarracino

WHERE TO STAY
Eden House
1015 Fleming Street
The Eden House is a family friendly guesthouse complex located in a quiet neighborhood in Old Town. Upon arrival expect a warm welcome and a cool refreshment. The outdoor facilities at the Eden House are lush, green, and well maintained. Relax pool side, on the sunning deck, or in a comfy hammock with soothing music in the background. The Eden House has a complimentary daily Happy Hour at 4:00 PM where guests socialize and rest up for a night on the town. Accommodations range from $90 for a small private hotel room, up to $300 for a private suite in the Conch House. Those who are considering staying at the Eden House, don’t expect luxurious accommodations…expect funky, laid back, mind soothing Key West, Florida style at its best! www.edenhouse.com

5 Great Reasons To Stay At The Eden House by CAPTAINRYAN.COM
1. You are treated like family when you stay at the Eden House.
2. You meet great people that will soon become your friends.
3. The pool, hot tub, music, and hammocks are mind soothing.
4. Clean rooms and reasonable prices.
5. Free liquor at Happy Hour!

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RETAIL & SHOPPING
Last Flight Out
503 Greene Street
Last Flight Out is much more than just a retail store with t-shirts, and aviation souvenirs. It is a state of mind and a philosophy on life. Store owner Clay Greager is the author of three very inspiring books. Last flight out is located on 503 Greene Street across from Sloppy Joes. Check out their website to learn about The Story of Last Flight Out and Air Sunshine. www.lastflightoutkeywest.com

AN EXCERPT FROM LAST FLIGHT OUT: A State of Mind

“Sometimes I thinks we relate to life as though we were running through a fresh snowfall. We are excited and thrilled at being the first person ever to make footprints in the new snow. We are so self-centered in our goals we’d probably be shocked to see that most of us are running in circles. And sooner or later we will be doing nothing but retracting our old footprints. The other choice is to live in paradise, run instead on sandy beaches and let the tides wash away our footprints so we can always have a fresh start. It works even if paradise is only in our minds."

Last Flight Out: A State of Mind
By Clay Greager

Peppers of Key West
602 Green Street
As the saying goes “Some like it hot” and that is definitely true at Peppers of Key West. On Green Street located two blocks north of Duval, you will find the “hottest spot in Key West”. Look for the red store front as it marks the “hot” spot. The pepper mobile has been sold and only its fond memory remains. We met co-owner Michael, who has a reserved but warm demeanor. Peppers includes an array of spices, hot sauces, novelty items, cooking supplies, and the infamous tasting table. Belly up to the hot sauce bar but don’t forget a chilled beverage. I recommend a surplus of cold beverages. This party is BYOB(Bring Your Own Bottle) so plan ahead and bring a six pack of suds. Procrastinators can run two doors down to Big John’s pizza place for a pitcher of beer to go. When it comes to sampling, start low and go slow. Rick was our gracious taste bud tour guide for the afternoon. Rick was a rather entertaining character as he shared his Hurricane Wilma stories. These included his disgust for his automobile insurance as the patrons within the store chanted in unison, “State Farm Sucks”.

The 357 Mad Dog Hot Sauce is dangerously hot and not for amateurs. Here’s a tip on sampling the warmer blends. Only sample a smidgen of the sauce on a toothpick. Dab it lightly on your tongue, being careful not to touch your skin, eyes, an lips. Follow these survival steps closely and prepare for your mouth to burn, eyes to water, and smoke to billow from the ears. Notables are the Peppers of Key West original sauces, the award winning Right Wing Sauce(Use Liberally), Left Wing Sauce(Not to be Used Conservatively), and the new Extreme Right Wing Sauce(A Jerk Sauce). Additionally, I endorse the Palmetto Pepper Potions and Fighting Cock BBQ Sauce.

Kino Sandal Factory
107 Fitzpatrick Street
Located in the Kino Plaza on the corner of Greene and Fitzpatrick Street, sits the Kino Sandal Factory. Founded by Cuban immigrants Roberto and Margarita Lopez, the Kino factory makes originally designed sandals handcrafted with natural leather uppers and rubber soles. At the factory, Spanish is spoken freely and the distinct smell of leather permeates the air. A simple row of folding tables acts as a impromptu display area in the front of the store. Lacking modern conveniences, the factory runs on a “shoestring“ budget and traditional Cuban flair.
Each pair of Kino sandals is assembled and glued on site at the factory in Key West. Once assembled the sandals are stored on shelves in tattered cardboard boxes. The sandal’s design is quite simple but the thin soul and soft leather are unpredictably comfortable. The Kino Sandal Factory is ideal for an inexpensive “Made In Key West” souvenir. Sandals are available in men’s and women’s sizes and prices range from $9.00 to $12.00 dollars.