This year, 11 Hars decided to go to Key West for the New Year. By the time the money was due, 6 backed out and only 5 actually went through with the trip. Let’s just say once you experience New Year Eve in Key West, not even Times Square in NYC can compare. The Hars celebrated the New Year in shorts and flip flops along with thousands of other fun people.
Day one:
Hars Jimmy, Jack, Amanda and John flew into Fort Lauderdale and after an hour wait at the Hertz Counter, made the 3.5 hour drive to Key West. Harry Phillip was a little smarter than that and flew directly into Key West. After checking out the rental property, which included 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a private in-ground pool and hot tub, it was time to hit Duval Street. Keep in mind Duval is one block away. The Hars went to Irish Kevin’s as live entertainment was on tap.
Day Two
On Sunday, the Hars hung by the pool and soaked up some rays before heading to Pat Croce’s Rum Barrel to watch the Eagles devour the Cowboys. Here, we met many folks from Philadelphia and the Ruby family from Aston. Shout out to Jayme and Lindsey and their parents (who are in the Rubymac Rock Band) Together, we all celebrated the Eagles win, which put them into the playoffs after a less than stellar season. Afterwards, Jack and John checked out the Bourbon Street Bar. Jimmy found Jack asleep at Bourbon Street on a lounge chair and then they met up with Kelly (a former Barnaby’s employee) and her boyfriend at Jack Flats.
Day Three
On Monday, the gang checked out Ernest Hemingway’s historic home in Key West. Never in one place will you see cats with so many toes. After the tour, it was time for a quick trip to the beach to take an afternoon swim. Har John M. cooked dinner for the gang this night. He thought it would be nice if he made baked ziti, but after President Betzal objected that motion, pasta with fettuccini, shrimp and scallops was served. After dinner, the Hars walked to Mallory Square to see the sunset and then down Duval Street only to find a friend’s flip flop. The walk lead the Hars to meet up with Liz Barrar and family. Liz just arrived in Key West to start her job at the Rum Barrel later in the week. The Hars were her first guests at her new apartment. The Hars and the Barrar’s celebrated with a Corona. Best of Luck Liz! After the celebration, the Hars went to Bogarts and met the handless wonder, Roy. Jack quickly discovered patrons are not allowed behind the bar, unlike Barnaby’s in Aston.
Day Four
On Tuesday it was Harry Phillip’s turn to cook dinner. This was an important one as the Barrar’s invited themselves over for dinner. Shrimp and pasta in a tomato chile cream sauce was on the menu. After the awesome dinner and laughs with Liz’s family, it was time to go to Duval Street. Now, the best part about Duval Street is that open containers are allowed. You may see this same law passed in Aston at the next commissioners meeting. Tes, from the Rum Barrel, recommended Key Lime Martini’s for dessert from a local bar called The White Tarpon. THEY WERE INCREDIBLE. Following our time there, it was time for the Duval Street crawl with the Barrar’s. There was discussion on getting tattoos, body piercings and sexy underwear, but in the end we stuck with margaritas. Of course, we stopped at the “Smallest Bar” in Key West for a cocktail. After we FINALLY were able to shake the Barrar’s off our tail, we hit a few other bars in the area.
Day Five
On Wednesday, the Hars signed up for Danger Charters Sail, Snorkeling and Kayak trip. John met a very nice lady named Kim, but his hook-up chance quickly went way south after their kayak took on water and flipped. See pics below. This was a great trip and probably the best place on earth to view the last sunset of 2008. After the sail, Jimmy cooked up some shrimp, lobster claws and bruschetta for dinner. For the New Years Eve celebration, the Hars started at the Whistle Bar where Jimmy met a few patrons from Barnaby’s. After making some friends at the Whistle Bar, it was getting close to midnight so the group went to Duval Street across from Sloppy Joes. Here, along with thousands of other tourists, we viewed the dropping of the conch. Check out Jack’s facebook for that video. Jimmy, Amanda and John then hit a house party of some new local friends as Jack and Phil got lost in the crowd.
Day Six
We went to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory and then walked Duval Street. This was another somewhat lazy day by the pool. John confirmed with his friends up North that the weather was cold and windy with a high of 30 degrees. John’s blackberry seemed to be surgically attached to him this entire week. For dinner, it was Jack’s turn to cook, so a New Years Day BBQ was on tap. Ribs with key lime chipotle bbq sauce, slaw, deviled eggs, watermelon and coronas were on the menu during the Penn State game. Unfortunately, this game was not has fun as the Eagles game. After a quick nap, the Hars went to The Keys piano bar, Cowboy Bills to watch each other ride the mechanical bull (click here to watch John, don’t blink after the bull is turned on) and then to Sloppy Joes where Astons’ own Eric Mallon was playing lead guitar for Joe Bachman and the Crew.
Day Seven
Friday, our last full day in Key West – Jack and Phil went to lunch at El Siboney, which is one of the busiest, hardest to find, Cuban restaurants in the states. John, Jimmy and Amanda went to the beach and then everyone went to Mallory Square to watch another sunset. Kelly joined us for tacos and nachos back at the house. Now, you can’t go to Key West without checking out at least one drag show, so we did.
Emergency response vehicle, aka Key Lime Pie delivery truck
Day Eight
On Saturday it was time to come back home to the 30 degree weather. Thanks 72-9A (Keiser) for picking us up at the airport and to his wonderful wife Sarah, for cooking us a delicious dinner at HQ.
Thanks Jimmy for planning and organizing this awesome trip.
Next up – Mexico in April. See you there.
