CategoryRoad Trip

Chicago Cubs Game

Chicago Cubs Game 2016 Wrigley Field 01

When I booked my flight to Chicago the first thing I checked was to see if the Cubs were playing at home while I was there. They were and so I called one of my best friends who still lives there and we planned a whole day of it. When I used to live in Chicago and I was a very broke college student I would look online and find tickets for $2 and $4 and Chicago Cubs Game 2016 Wrigley Field 02go to the games after I got off work. I can say I have spent a lot of time at that park when the Cubs … for a lack of better words sucked. But I still went and cheered them on. Something about that park and that team has always made me feel at home. As you can see from the photo above the storm clouds were rolling in and 3 rain delays later we won the game and it was a day that I will never forget! This could be the year … I know we say that every year but there was an awesome feeling in the air! I am also a fan that rain or shine I will be sitting there with my beer in hand and happy to watch as long as they are playing! But as you can see the weather didn’t know what the heck it was trying to do and the sun was out enough to make my glasses transition into sunglasses. I’m happy I was able to see the Cubs win this year and who knows … I might be back in August when Scott and I have to make our cross country journey!

Alabama Jack’s – Key Largo

Alabama Jack's - Key Largo - Bloodline - Netflix - FL Keys - Islamorada - Florida Keys - TORsAdventures 01Scott and I have been a fan of the show Bloodline since it came out last year. Mainly because it was filmed here in the Keys and we get to test our knowledge of US1 since we have made countless trips up and down the Keys over the years. It’s also a very interesting story about a family that has some of the same problems you do and then just a few more! We were on our way home from Miami and I was reading about some of the places that the show was filmed and we decided to stop and have lunch at one of the locations. Alabama Jack’s is where a scene from season 1 was filmed with Danny eating their famous fish tacos. If you ask anyone in the upper keys they will tell you “Oh Yeah! I have been there 100 times and its great!” Well I Alabama Jack's - Key Largo - Bloodline - Netflix - FL Keys - Islamorada - Florida Keys - TORsAdventures 03had never heard of it before reading about it and I am happy we stopped. The food was great and the view was even better! We sat over looking the water and had a good view up and down the canal. Our waitress told us they have a local crocodile that they see a few times a week. Its also a local hangout for the manatees that my husband thinks don’t exist and refers to them as the unicorns of the sea. We LOVE chicken wings and seem to order them everywhere we go just to give them a try. These were really good but just so you know when you order hot …. they mean HOT! It was really spicy. I also ordered the fish tacos and they were delightful!

Key West Bucket List

Pathway to the Ocean - Smathers Beach - Key West
Smathers Beach

I was asked by a friend of mine to recommend some places that he should not miss while visiting Key West. I figured I should share some of my local knowledge with the rest of you too. Below is a list of places that you should absolutely hit and maybe a few that you should avoid! After living in Key West for 3 years I have seen places come and go but the GREAT ones will always be here.

Food:

The Boathouse Bar & Grill – They have an awesome Happy Hour! Its from 4pm to 6:30pm and its half price appetizers and also half price draft beer, house wines and mixed drinks. I wouldn’t be on a first name bases with all the bartenders if it wasn’t good. The Lamb Chops are my absolute favorite … and I don’t even like Lamb!

Garbos Grill – They were featured on the show Diners, Drive In’s and Dives but I have loved them long before that. They only have a few things on the menu but I always get the Yum Yum shrimp.

Thai Island – Awesome lunch specials as well as really fresh fish. Personally I eat the JL7 Sushi Lunch at least once a week. You can’t beat it for $12.95!

El Siboney Restaurant – This place is loved by me and my husband. We get theĀ  Siboney steak. Its a huge cut of skirt steak and you also get rice, beans and plantains. Bonus … they greet you with warm buttered Cuban bread.

Charlie Mac’s – They have some GREAT BBQ items and I like there Happy Hour as well!

The Chart Room – It’s actually a bar located inside the Pier House resort … you would never know it existed unless someone told you about it.

We tend to find the amazing food with a lower price point since we live here and actually work for a living!

Where to Stay

Poolside at The Marker
Poolside at The Marker

Pier House & Ocean Key Resort are located at the end of Duval St. Its a nice distance from the chaos of Duval St. but just a short walk – stumble depending on how much you drink!

The Inn at Key West is also very nice I LOVE their pool area but they are a short cab ride away and or drive if you have a car. Parking downtown can be a pain but it can be done.

The Marker – I have spent a lot of time at their pool and they are one of the newest hotels in Key West. I also love their cafe at the pool the Margarita Pizza if my favorite.

Activities:

Visit Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Key West Butterfly Conservatory – When I first moved to the island I worked here and it was a great place, nice and peaceful away from the chaos of Duval St.

Visiting Bahia Honda State Park – (This is only if you have a car. Its actually a little ways north up the keys.)

Avoid:

Irish Kevin’s – Unless you are looking to be packed in somewhere, pay way to much for your drinks and never get to go to the bathroom at the risk of loosing your seat.