Leaving Key West

That's it! Went to the Turtle Kraals and nothing! Nothing kind of describes the Kraals too. Not only were we disappointed there was no sign of our pirate friend, but there was no wooden baker, and the Turtle Kraals was really a bust.
There is some history with the museum, but mostly its a lousy story about catching, cooking and canning turtles until they became endangered and the work was banned. There are behind the scenes, real stories, but its pretty unlikely you'll hear these unless you can talk to an old salt. He can tell you about fishing and the turtle industry from a perspective yet untold by the museum. That way you get it straight from someone who has been out to sea to learn by experience and not by someone who's been to college to learn by reading.
So, that's it. We will not be chasing off to another place looking for our friend. If more tips come in we will follow any lead, but for now we are heading off the Keys. Maybe one stop in Marathon. The Kid wants to eat at the Keys Fisheries.
As we purposely shunned the Turtle Kraals restaurant, we saw loose lips from Captain Tony's. The Kid wanted to grill him about the wooden baker story, but when he caught sight of us he ducked inside the place and since I figure he was just some nut case and I refuse to go into Kraals, we let it go.
"But it is 1 Land's End." The Kid tried to persuade me. "And what about the figure outside of Captain Tony's?"
I did agree to a cold one at Captain Tony's before we left. We only go to Sloppy Joe's to remind ourselves we never want to be tourists. When you are after an adventure, want to escape, or are gaining experience in life, don't be a tourist.
At Captain Tony's this Captain ordered a draft, it was too early for rum.
"This is for you." The bartender said as he handed me an envelop he had been using for notes.
"When did you get this?"
"Yesterday. Forgot about it when you were here."
"Who is it from?"
"Dunno. Was Stuck in the door when I got here."
Captain Tony's is all about escape and it never fails to live up to that reputation. Just when you begin to worry that the routine of day in and day out is about to claim you as one of its victims, the legend, the lore, and the mystery of this place hands you escape.
Inside the envelop was a simple message: "Sarasota. MNP Marina. Jack Clark"
I pushed aside my draft and tapped the glass to get the bartender's attention, "Rum."


The Captain and The Kid