Don't choke the Chicken in Key West

 After our adventure out to Dry Tortuga National Park, we decided to have dinner in Key West before heading back to Marathon.  A few things we noticed about Key West: 

• Parking is at a premium
• You don't need an alarm clock in Key West
• There's a turf war going on in Key West
• Don't choke the chicken in Key West
• Duvall is party central
• Mahi Tacos at Flying Monkeys Saloon are off the chain

We parked in the city garage off Grinnell street when we arrived at the ferry dock for our trip.  It was a little after 6:00 a.m.  In Key West, you don't need to bring an alarm clock.  They provide one free of charge in the form of a two legged feathered dynamo who is sure to let you know when the sun is coming up.  There were roosters and chickens everywhere, and the roosters were announcing the coming of the new day.  No hitting the snooze button here! 

Foghorn Leghorn Says

“As senior rooster ’round here, it’s my duty, and my pleasure, to instruct junior roosters in the ancient art of roostery”

 

 Parking space is at a premium, so they of course put a premium price on it. $42 for the day.  When we got back from Dry Tortuga. We left the truck parked and walked the 5 or so blocks down to Duvall Street. Our plan was to get dinner off of Duvall street, then head back to Marathon.

These 2 legged little pimps were everywhere, and each one had his own little stable of 4-5 hens.  They own the city and are protected, so no choking the chicken in Key West.  

Key West is playing out its own little version of “West Side Story” on a daily basis.  There's a turf war going on between the pigeons and the chickens.  Like a scene out of  “Westside story”  the Jets (pigeons) and Sharks (Chickens) are in a never ending battle to see who wins that french fry that accidentally falls to the ground from the tables at the local restaurants.   

The hens are generally on the smaller size here, much smaller than we are used to seeing in the Midwest.  So the pigeons try to intimidate the hens by ruffling up their feathers and making themselves seem larger than they are.  Works pretty well till the rooster shows up on the scene.  Ain't nobody picking on his girls.

Besides the entertainment provided by the “Jets” and “Sharks” after they become a total nuisance, the wait staff at the restaurant pulls out the squirt guns and lets both gangs know it's time to leave.  Key West version of the game of Chicken.   Man, that rooster was fast!   

So dinner and drinks did not disappoint. 

Frozen drinks at the Flying Monkey

The boss approves!

Eating a healthy salad for dinner, That's the Asian chicken salad LOL!
 Mahi Tacos for me. 

After a long day and a filling dinner, we waddled our way back to our truck to head back to Marathon.

Duvall street is of course packed with lots of opportunities to see and do things you'd probably regret later. We found a Facebook group while down here called, “Key West Gravity Chronicles – Stuck to Earth”.

It's dedicated to posting pictures of those who partake a little too much and get caught in the vortex, as they call it down here.  Not wanting to end up in one of their post, we passed on the party.  It was a great Day!

                                                                       Duvall Street