hurricane

That is one of the beauties of PiP. There's literally hundreds of things to do before, during and after the events. A trip to the Dry Tortugas is a day long adventure, plus you can camp there overnight in probably the most true experience. There's no support services out there at night. It's just you, your tent and some fellow campers. Hey, why aren't we all out there? -- Hurricane

If one was to look at the schedule of events for PiP, and not just those encampments at the forts, there is so much to do that it fills entire days. We participate in all the events there and this year we won't even have time to hit the streets of Duval this time around. It's a pretty packed four days of festival. -- Hurricane

Great trip, lass! The two museums are definite must-do's if you haven't been before. The Wrecker's Museum is also a good one. It's part re-enactment but also has tons of artifacts from one of the ships the wreckers salvaged off the keys. A good look into later history and "pirates". It's by the aquarium. The part of the pdf with the schedule is the best for handing out since it actually has the schedule for all the events, not just the one at the fort. Let me know if you need that separately. Julie and Harry pretty much have the festival schedule locked now so it shouldn't change. If any of you want to participate in the National Walk the Plank Championships, email me. I am the point person for it since our crewe sponsors it. This year it's right at the end of Truman Street next to the Mohawk near the fort. That would be just outside the fort gate and to your left. You'll be forced at sword point off the WOLF. -- Hurricane

Just be sure you work off a single book. There are hundreds of variations to some of these so you don't want to be learnin' different versions. All on the same page as they say. :) -- Hurricane

Yeah, it looks really good this year. Unfortunately my own crewe just got booked on back to back voyages to the Bahamas and Key West and that's just too many road trips in the space of three weeks. Enjoy all! -- Hurricane

They sure knew how to party in the late 1600s. Admiral Edward Russell's 17th-Century throwdown Think you can drink like a sailor? Maybe you should take a moment to reflect on what that truly means. The record for history's largest cocktail belongs to British Lord Admiral Edward Russell. In 1694, he threw an officer's party that employed a garden's fountain as the punch bowl. The concoction? A mixture that included 250 gallons of brandy, 125 gallons of Malaga wine, 1,400 pounds of sugar, 2,500 lemons, 20 gallons of lime juice, and 5 pounds of nutmeg. A series of bartenders actually paddled around in a small wooden canoe, filling up guests' cups. Not only that, but they had to work in 15-minute shifts to avoid being overcome by the fumes and falling overboard. The party continued nonstop for a full week, pausing only briefly during rainstorms to erect a silk canopy over the punch to keep it from getting watered down. In fact, the festivities didn't end until the fountain had been drunk completely dry. -- That must have been one for the books for sure. -- Hurricane

The Fax number at the park is: 305-292-6881 -- Hurricane

I didn't see a fax on Harry's email signature. I've emailed him and will report back with it. -- Hurricane

Gasparilla is like Mardi Gras - lots of drunken partying and play pirates. PiP is working on becoming a re-enactor heaven and the crewes bring plenty of powder along to share. The fort is haunted, the entire grounds are empty except for re-enactors at night and well, it's in Key West for goodness sakes. Lots of stuff to do and see while you're not piratin. This is my fifth year and still love it. Just gets better each year. Lockhouse, haven't been too. Others? -- Hurricane

IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!!!!! Harry just contacted me. He wanted to remind everyone staying at the fort that they must fill out the form on the Pirates in Paradise set or use the link below: http://www.forttaylor.org/pipreg2007.pdf If you don't then you won't get access to the "key" to the gate, you can't stay at the park and come and go when the park is closed and you will have to pay park admission each day. So it's important to get this done before you get to PiP and ship it back to Harry per the directions on the form! -- Hurricane

The PiP schedule is all done (for the most part). Here's a link to the pdf for your viewing and planning pleasure. Lots of stuff on the docket this year, from the Walk the Plank Championships to the various sea battles and fort festival activities. http://www.piratesinparadise.com/festivalp...am-07-small.pdf See you all in paradise. We are pleased to be one of the major sponsors there again this year. -- Hurricane

If you're flying to Key West, the window is longer, because there are only so many planes flying there in a day and none of them are large jets. So they fill up faster and the prices start to soar, especially when it's the outbound Monday leg as business people are trying to get to Miami that day. Otherwise, booking Miami is easy and cheap most of the time. Lots of flights and choices. I think Pat was taking the bus from there so it should be no problem. -- Hurricane

How much money do you want to spend? Do you just want best as in "best" or "best as in a Key West experience. If the latter, then Blue Heaven, BOs Fish Wagon, Turtle Kraals (you can be on the Turtles on Friday nights for money and prizes, too), Camille's and Two Friends. If you want terrific Cuban coffee and bread in the morn, head down to the Southernmost. Down the street next to the store is a great stand with Cuban bread and coffee for about $6. Very old Key West If you want a nice dining experience, my two favorites would be Mangos and Kellys. The latter is owned by actress Kelly McGillis (Top Gun, Witness) and you can often find her there in the evenings seating guests. On Fridays and Saturdays, you'll find Captain Tony of Captain Tony's over by the t-shirt stand. He tells hilarious stories - last time it was about just coming back from a concert by his bud Jimmy Buffett at Universal Orlando and Jimmy bought him a couple hookers. Key Lime Shooters at Hog's Breath always a good thing. Pizza by the slice on Duval, always handy when drinking heavily and a cheap, filling meal. That's it off the top of my head. -- Hurricane

I went to #1 in full gear, sword and slush drink. No one dared bother a crazy looking pirate there. Paid homage to Marie while there! Great place to roam around. I did get hit up on the outside by a guy who tried to tell me it was dangerous to be in that area. He offered to walk us back to the quarter. The only one I was afraid of was him. Once he got us there he wanted $10 from each of us for the service. I just laughed (a good drunken laugh, having been into my second slush drink of the day) and told him our lives weren't worth $10 total combined. He just left then... saved $50 in the process I did. Ahoy Capt William. Thanks to your great presentation we now have two cannon in the fold and working on our third. What took us so long? - Hurricane

Oh, and the PiP website was updated today. I should have a printable program tomorrow or Monday, latest. Depends on Goombay Festival and when Julie can get it to me. Geez, they have fun there ... -- Hurricane

Our crewe update is as follows. We are having our first dry run of Port Royal tomorrow. Hurricane Diosa Oryginal Cinn Touche Sheila Mizzen Studley Bootleg Red Handed Jill (ours) Youngblood (cabin boy) Rusty Krispy Willie Wobble (the cookie - probable) I think that makes 13 in the Port Royal Tavern. - Hurricane

An update... things are coming together swimmingly. I have the newest schedule that I will post here in the next day or so for the events that cover the entire weekend, not just the fort. Also, the brave souls at Pyrate Soul have stepped forward to sponsor a shuttle bus between their museum and the fort so the touristas can come and go as they please. That's a first and a welcomed one. The Walk the Plank Championships will be held near the Truman Dock, right next to the Mohawk - so it's within walking distance of the fort this year. More soon. --= Hurricane

I always carry my doglock, dagger and sword into the bars around here, just during regular bar hits. Never a problem. Used to do it in Seattle too - I only had to check them once in 25 years, and oddly enough, it was in Key West at a bar there. Of all places! -- Hurricane

The first Baby Boomer has cashed her Social Security in.... Feel old beginning... http://www.abcnews.go.com/WN/LifeStages/st...=3732745&page=1 Now... Hurricane (Class of Birth Year 1958)

That is truly gorgeous. Of course, a tailor that could do such intricate embroidery could also do button holes that look machine done. Just goes without saying I think. -- Hurricane

Wal Mart Supercenters here in Florida have full barrels for $45. Might want to check your local supercenter if you have them. They're not always in stock but they're cheap enough. -- Hurricane

The last one I was in in Seattle I was underground in the basement of our home working. Amazing when you look at the concrete floor and see it ripple like waves in a pond. Will never forget it. Then I decided I didn't like quakes anymore - when I arrived in Florida, it took me a whole year to get over expecting the ground to shake here. My inner ears seem to be real sensitive to them. Long before anyone else felt one I would rise from my chair and yell EARTHQUAKE! At least with my new home here I'm good to 130 on a hurricane and get plenty of warning. There's never been one over 110 here where I live. If you're ever looking for a real strong home, I recommend Palm Harbor. We got the modular version so it's stick built and on a foundation. No wheels. And it's one sturdy little beast. They do a great job, not only with the construction but coming out to fix anything that's wrong (even the tiniest thing) for a year afterwards. -- Hurricane

Not surprised they missed with that small of a load in it. The ball would just peter out after a bit without more poop behind it. But wow, what a firearm!!! -- Hurricane

This is our newest addition to the family. And here it is being fired over the weekend. http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=...ideoid=19672620 -- Hurricane

Congrats on your new housienda. We too landed on property this year and love our new headquarters. We had similar on and off again adventures. But it was worth it. We just came in from the backyard after racking off our doglocks and cannon. Love having our own space. Ah, a little salty piece of land to call home. Don't let Rumba rain on you about the mobile. I don't think Texas is a haven for earthquakes - that's a West Coast thing. And a tornado or hurricane can wipe out any home, no matter its origins. I saw mobiles that survived just fine here in FL standing next to a brick and mortar that was flattened by the same hurricane. Oh, looks like your land is safe from floods and landslides too. :) Bosun - I would have recommended checking into a manufactured instead. Ours is rated to 130 mph sustained... and we could have upgraded to a 150. I don't know of many stick builts that can make that claim. Good things are worth waiting for sir! Diosa and I are very happy for you! -- Hurricane