Questions for locals and extended stay visitors

This year the Mrs and I are planning to be in Key West for the whole month of February. We already have accomodations and travel arranged. Now, what to do the whole time?

During our past visits of 10-14 days I would find myself getting restless after a few days. I would catch myself inspecting the B%26amp;B property we were staying at and generate in my mind a list of repairs and improvements that were needed. I don%26#39;t know if I can survive a whole month. There%26#39;s only so much time one can spend sitting poolside, or at a bar, or seeing the sights. So, we are planning to attempt to find some part-time casual employment, a few hours a day, a few days a week. I suppose the search for such work is best left for when we are actually there.

As a ';Plan B';, we are also considering volunteer work, and here%26#39;s where you folks might be able to help. We would appreciate any suggestions or contact information for charitable organizations that may be able to utilize our talents. The Mrs is administrative/office, I%26#39;m sort of handyman, jack of all trades, technical.

One limitation is we won%26#39;t have a car. Something within an easy walk of the Bight/Seaport area would be ideal. I read Keysnews regularly and nothing of note has popped up yet. I appreciate any suggestions or advice and hope this post isn%26#39;t too off the travel topic for this site.

Thanks in advance, Joe.

Questions for locals and extended stay visitors

I%26#39;ll leave it to the locals to give tips on work or volunteering, because you will be there so long, you might want to explore the other keys. What I usually do is just rent a car for the day(s) I plan to go up the keys. Just a thought.

Questions for locals and extended stay visitors

You could contact Nancy Forresters Secret Garden and see if they need any help.

http://www.nfsgarden.com/

I was also going to suggest renting a car and exploring the Keys for a day or two.

Do you guys fish or anything like that?

damn that%26#39;s a tough problem, too much down time in KW. how about you come back here and run my GM dealership for a week and i%26#39;ll take your place by the pool? seriosly, volunteering is a great tought and you should meet even more great people!

Socroc... Given today%26#39;s economy, I don%26#39;t think I could run your dealership. That%26#39;s best left to the pros like you.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. We already plan on a few side excursions and used to have Islamorada as our ';home base'; several years ago for exploring the Keys. There is no shortage of ways to spend money for entertainment, fishing/sailing/etc in Key west.

Our goal is to become part of the fabric, for the short time we are there, that makes up the crazy quilt that Key West is. And, hopefully, not just as loose threads.

Okay. Forgive me but I need to clarify some things here. You%26#39;ll be on VACATION, right? You have a full month to do nothing but exist in Paradise, right? The snow back home will be butt deep but you won%26#39;t have to worry about it, right? Ya got shorts, flip-flops and the sun screen, right? You think you%26#39;ll want to work, right?

Question; Are you outta your ever-lov%26#39;in mind?!?!?

Live the month like a local!! Follow Bluewaters advice and go fishing... Take in a show at the Red Barn theater...Jan 27th 鈥?March 7, 2009 The Outer Shel: More Shel Silverstein Directed by Gary McDonald. OR at the Waterfront Theater: Doubt, A Parable Jan. 28 to Feb. 14 OR BitchSlap! Feb. 25 to March 7 OR the Tennessee Williams Theater and it%26#39;s busy in February... Seven differnt things going on there including the Four Tops concert, the Key West Symphany and Debbie Reynolds. Here%26#39;s the link: tennesseewilliamstheatre.com/events_calendar鈥?/a> Take a StarGazer Boat Tour with Joe Universe. Take in an Independant Film at the Tropic Cinema. (Movies, you%26#39;d normally have to go to L.A., New York or other major city to see.) Sit on the sidewalk and make fun of the tourists who obviously never use TA. (kidding)

Eat your way across the island, one place at a time. Do a quiet sunset trip. Visit the Dry Tortugas, Do the Eco-Center, rent a car and go the the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key and while in the neighborhood of Marathon, visit some neat places there like Sparky%26#39;s Landing. Try to find the No Name Pub, the Blue Hole and the Bat Tower. Take the bi-plane ride around the island. Register to vote in Key West (just to see thier reaction). Find the worst Key Lime Pie, Margurita and Conch Fritters on the island just to make a report about them here. There%26#39;s a ton of things to do that would keep you busy. Volunteering is outstanding and I%26#39;d bet, deeply appreciated but are you certain that%26#39;s what you%26#39;d want to do on your hard-earned vacation? If so, more power to you and bless your heart!

I wonder if you could catch a boat from Reef Relief on one of their mooring bouy servicing trips.

I need my garage roof patched, the wood in my boat is rotting, the riding mower%26#39;s busted, the motorhome needs wax....

If you TRULY need something to do, local animal shelters are always looking for volunteers. I am sure I would also start to need something to do, but not for at least 3 months.....okay or maybe six....

The SPCA is a great suggestion but its on the island next to Key West, Stock Island, so you would need transportation.

I know I know. How about putting on a scary ghost costume in the evenings and scaring the bejeezes out of the folks taking the ghost tours?

If I was going to work part time there I%26#39;d love to get a job at the Mel Fisher museum helping to lug and sort through all that gold and silver treasure!

Another thing I%26#39;d do to pass time is spend a few hours here and there in the library just boning up on some of the local history - maybe find some of the famous old characters in the cemetary.