Discovering new places

We decided to try Sunset Grille one more time, so we headed there Sunday , hoping to get there in time for happy hour. We got there at 5:30 and they said it would be an hour wait for a table. We put our name on the list and headed to the upstairs bar, which was packed. So we decided to check out the outside bar on the lower level, which was also packed. Luckily a couple was leaving and we were able to grab their stools – and managed to get a drink ordered. We tried to order an appetizer but the bartenders were so busy that they never checked back with us to see if we wanted food or another drink – it was like we were invisible. While Rich tried to catch the attention of a bartender to pay our bill, I got some great sunset shots.

The lower level at Sunset Grille. The pool is open to all the customers!

We thought all the boat stuff was going to be finished yesterday, but it was discovered that the fresh water pump for the port engine was leaking and would need to be replaced. Our mechanic was able to order a replacement from a parts place in Key West, so we “had” to go down there today to pick it up. And of course we had to go at lunch time, so we stopped at Goldman’s Deli down there and had matzoh ball soup and a Reuben – very delicious!

The next stop was a cigar factory that Rich had read about. He bought a sampler of cigars that came in a very nice wooden box – I’ll have a very nice box when he’s done with the cigars!

Across the street was a shop advertising rolled ice cream, so we had to check it out. You choose what you want in your ice cream and then they mix and chop it with a liquid ice cream mix and scrape and smooth and work their magic with it on an ice cold round metal surface. It’s very labor intensive! When it’s been smoothed and is the right consistency, they use a metal spatula to scrape it into rolls.

Rolling up my ice cream – bourbon caramel and pecans

the end result – with extra bourbon caramel sauce over it

We ate our ice cream at this table. I love how they used downed trees for something useful, and told you where it came from.

From several feet away this looked like a very small iguana. It turned out to be a leaf.

After ice cream we had to stop at Hemingway distillery, where they make Papa’s Pilar rum. We got to sample the light and dark rums and ended up buying a bottle of each, as well as rash guard shirts. You can never have too many rash guard shirts!

To get to Key West from Marathon, you have to go over the Seven Mile Bridge. We checked it on the odometer and it really is 7 miles!