Salty's Benefit concert

It has rained, and rained, and rained in the last 36 hours...and though the parking lot is flooded, there wasn't enough water in the Gulf for these folks.

When we left for the gym this morning, we were greeted by a fellow boater
from Banana Bay, "Waterfront Property".  They had run aground right near the
channel entrance to the marina.  Dave went out to offer his assistance to
pull them off with his boat, but they decided to wait it out until the tide
turned.  It did, and they are safely tucked back in to their slip.  We've
all been there.  In the Keys, there are those that have run aground,
and those that have lied about it!

Donnie and I started our day with a hard workout- nearly made myself sick. bleh. We then hurried on over to Mamaw and Paps as more family arrived from up north; Mamaw's oldest sister, Cora, and her baby sister Aunt Linda and her husband Uncle Louie.  We haven't seen them in quite some time, so it was good to share some laughs. We jumped right in to a game of chickenfoot, and naturally, Mamaw won.  No Adolph, though, as Fran is the present caretaker of the bird.  He's probably getting a foot massage, or a new hat as we speak.

No, it's not Adolph, but anytime you see a rooster high up in a tree,
it's just funny.  He was a proud rooster, too. Crowing his fool head off.
I. Hate. Roosters. (and Kenny's rooster ringtone)

After the family visit, we came back to Banana Bay and enjoyed a smoothie and a hot tub- you guessed it; in the pouring rain. I gotta say, it felt good, though.  And my hair is so soft from the rain shower :)

Tonight was the Salty's Benefit from 5-10pm at the Kirk of
the Keys Presbyterian Church.  The community really
banded together and went all out for all of those
effected by the fire.  The music this evening
was incredible!

The place was packed, and there was hardly a place to sit for the spaghetti
dinner.  There were so many businesses that donated items for the auctions
that occurred between bands changing out.  We scored on three $25
gift cards for Brutus', Sunset Grill, and a bait and tackle place.

I got my hair trimmed by Trisha; she made $500 that
she donated to the cause.  The 50/50 raffle took in
another $1100.  With all of the items auctioned off,
they had to have made at least $15,000-
and did I say the music was incredible?!

Listen for yourself....this is Ray West, who we've heard
before from Big Pine Key.  He is stinkin' ah-mazing on the
flute.  He was triple tonguing it, beat boxin' in it, all
kinds of crazy sounds- with his guitar pick tucked in
his cheek!  Check him out on You Tube- you won't
be disappointed.  I swear, he could kick Jethro Tull's a$$.

Next up was Misery Loves Company, who are a group of kids from
Marathon High School.  They are crazy talented, too- and they play
rock out songs from the 70's; stuff their parents listened to!
Getting a gig at Salty's was their first break a few years ago.

After the kids played, it was Gary Bush and his band, "Just Practicin'".
Gary held the open mic night on Thursdays at Salty's, and Donnie
would often join him on the second set.  We would go every
other Thursday to hear these guys- also crazy talented.  Doug Allen
just cooks the bass!  I sure am going to miss my key limey chicken
sandwich on a pretzel roll from Salty's.  Damn good sammich.

We can't listen to Just Practicing, without getting
up to dance a song or two :)

We weren't the only ones dancing by the alter!
The preacher was the MC/Host/Auctioneer, and their
praise band, "Solid Ground" performed later in the
night- so dancing was allowed ;) No alcohol involved.

Eric Stone and his band played, too.  He's a bit of a legend in the sailing
community.  We heard him play years ago at the Strictly Sail Show
in Chicago.  Do any of you MSYC members remember hearing him?
He's got a ton of CD's of his original island-vibe music.

No evening is complete without the Blues Brothers performing. 
They had everybody up on their feet dancing.  It was a blast!
You can't read it, but Elwood was holding a paper plate that
read "Collection Plate", that they passed amongst the pews.
People just kept giving money, all. night. long.
The community really banded together.  We stayed
until the very end- it was an incredible night of music,
fellowship, food, dancing, and fun :)

Salty's, you may be gone, but you'll never be forgotten...

G'nite, y'all!