KW: Making choices

I am starting to learn that at the Key West event, there are no shortage of choices, and that the Event Access Card is required equipment. Once past the check-point to enter, the Swan tent is adjacent to the big tent, and continues to be a popular spot early in the morning and again when the racers come in. Amazing what free food and drinks will do to attract traffic. The J/Boat booth is popular too, with high tables to enjoy the snackies they provide after the races.

Then... there is the big tent, which has beer stations and the grand Mount Gay Rum bar. After the Monday racing, one corner of the tent provided a Melges round-table for 24 and 32 sailors. Another corner provided similar support for the Corsair fleet. Photographer Tim Wilkes had a tent corner filled with monitors to view images from the day. The merchandise store was busy in another section. For those needing online access, the wireless signal has proven strong and reliable. Heck even the line at the Mount Gay Rum bar was short and moved quickly (though it is good to take advantage of the two drink limit).

The awards are presented daily, and the drinks are poured until 8pm. After that, the teams are directed toward town for another round of choices. I was caught in the media tent until 10pm, so when I exited the site was cleared out, but I still felt a need to test Duvall Street for the first time. Some call it Bourban Street South, and I must say that it was pretty lively for a Monday night. However, I sense that whether the regatta is on or not, that Duvall Street has the ability to regularly click on a Monday night.

The busiest bars this night were Irish Kevins or Sloppy Joes, and it was more of a choice between musical preference. IK's had the lively bantor of Jeff Harris on acoustic guitar and harmonica, with songs covering the range of those activities that occur amongst young and busy drinkers. SJ's had the complete band, who were equally skilled in playing and drinking, and maintained full capacity on the busy dance floor.

The early start time each day likely kept folks from staying out too late so early in the regatta, but as the event progresses, and positions in the fleet are established, I imagine that participation in the Duvall crawl will grow. - Craig Leweck

PS: Tuesday forecast is for mid-teens, and seems even stronger on land. Should make for some great images later in the Scuttlebutt photo gallery,