Key West Arrival!

Last night was munemental.  After embarking by kayak from John Pennekamp on 19 APR 2014, I landed on the southernmost tip of Key West, 25 APR 2014.  My landing was far from ordinary, and "kayak trail magic" was present.  So, far from my previous knowledge, the Southern Point of Key West is Officer housing for our South and Central American military coalition partners.  After locking my kyak to a tree, I sauntered over to Louis, a Navy Pilot from Panama,and his wife's home. Louis informed me they thought I was a Navy Seal practicing a beach landing; not sure if the beard, fluency in Spanish, 6 ft, or the speargun convinced them of this.  Lousis asked for my military I.D.  Fortunately, I had it in my dry box.  Louis's wife informed me that there was a Navy Hotel close by.  How fortuitous!  Louis drove me over to the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites, located on Naval Air Station Key West, FL.  I've checked in at the lap of luxury through this Monday Morning.  I'm nursing a bit of sunburn,  a right shoulder which feels like pins have been inserted into it, and a diaper rash on my arse which puts a section 8 housing diaper rash to shame.
 
Notes:  1. Sitting in a wet kayak for six days is not conducive to fending off rashes.

2. Navy Gateway Inn and Suites (Key West) is the best deal going on Key West..... $60 a night for a fantastic room, recently renovated, equipped with Kurig machine stocked w/ coffee pods, free laundry, friendly staff, etc....  People are paying $300-500 a night for accomodations on or near Duval street, which is within five blocks of the Navy Gateway.

3.  I look forward to playing U.S. diplomat to Louis and his wife this evening; I'm taking them out to dinner.  They are an incredibly kind Panamanian partner Officer family, who exhibited extreme genuine helpfulness and kindness towards me, a U.S. Army Officer.  Apparently, I missed the "U.S. Navy property Stay 100 Feet Away" sign, posted on the shoreline to our allies military housing neighborhood.   The current there around the southern  tip of Key West is serriously strong willed.  Must have some Army SOCOM pull to it;-)  Fuck ya!

Pictures below were taken of me upon arrival to the Gateway hotel: sunburnt, exhausted, dirty.... and happy as hell to have arrived for some R & R.