Boat Races!

One of my favorite things about traveling is encountering the unexpected.  The things that you didn't know existed there but make the experience more authentic and in some way more thrilling. When I drive into work everyday (about 16 miles over islands and bridges) I expected to see the beautiful water and maybe some amazing sunrises and sunsets but what I didn't expected to see was the Navy planes from the base on Boca Chica Key practicing overhead on my way into work every morning.  Every time I see them doing maneuvers on my way into work it makes me smile and I feel like I'm getting to witness something that most people either never see or take for granted that it happens on a daily basis for them.

My first weekend living in the Keys and I was able to encounter another unexpected event... the Key West Boat Races!  I have been to car races before and even got to go to the Formula 1 race last year in Austin but this was my first time seeing a boat race and I had no idea what to expect.  One great thing about working in physical therapy is that I spend all day with people who live in the area and give great tips on things to see, places to eat, and things to do.  So after getting the tip from a patient to go watch the races in Mallory Square, I got there about 40 minutes before the race started and staked out my place in the square to get a good view.  Across the water from my view point, boats lined up to watch the races and I had fun mentally picking out "my" dream boat while I passed the time.

After waiting and wondering for a little while, finally the boats came racing by!  I watched two different races and the boats that won, won by a long shot, but it was exciting to see the speed and the beauty of the boats as they whizzed by and feel the excitement and energy of the crowd around me. It's not an event I would suggest that you HAD to come to Key West to witness for yourself but it was definitely a fun and unexpected way to spend my first weekend of this new adventure.