a pirate's life for me...

I spent the weekend at a sailor’s outpost called Pirates Cove that’s reminiscent of something from a far flung Caribbean hideaway. The dress code is bathing suits and bare feet, the drink of choice is a bushwacker with a rum “topper”, cheeseburgers are divine, and the best way to get there is by boat.

Give your captain these coordinates and you cant steer wrong. L 30‘ 19.2 N Lo 87' 32.0 W, right by Intercoastal Waterway Marker #65.

The place is full of local character, which is exactly why I love it, and its been open for business for the last 87 years. Dozens of dogs wander around the place, waiting patiently for cheeseburgers to hit the decks. Some dogs sit on benches like humans and watch the sailboats and speed boats pull up onto the beach and throw anchors overboard. Some retired pirate is usually playing a guitar on the deck in the sun, and tough waitresses walk around shouting out names for people to claim their food. If the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse, batten down the hatches and stay to dance in the rain! A few rain drops won’t spoil your bushwacker. Our black and white mascot Julep is a huge fan of Pirate’s Cove. She stands on the bow of the boat whining as soon as the pirate’s flags of the place come into view on the horizon. She hasn’t won their Dog of the Month yet, but we are still holding out hope…

Of course there’s no need to impress when you’re at Pirate’s Cove, but its always a good idea to bring one of our tunics or pareos to cover up after all these cheeseburgers and buchwackers! We always have something Cerulean in hand…