Everyone wants to go to Key West. It’s tropical, has a crazy personality and is America’s own little slice of the Caribbean. But what’s the best way to get to this sun soaked rock?

You could drive. You could fly. You could take a boat.

The drive is spectacular. There’s nothing quite like cruising down US 1 with the windows down, tiki bar hoping your way all the way to Key West. But unless you live in South Florida, the drive can be long and tiresome.

Flying can be quick, but Key West isn’t exactly a top aviation hub. Getting flights to and from Key West can be expensive and there’s always a layover some place.

Boating to Key West sounds nice but you don’t know anyone with a boat and wouldn’t it take a forever and day to get there? Prepare to raise anchor, because I’m about to tell you the best way to get to Key West…and it is by boat.

If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time you know I’m a big fan of the Key West Express. The Key West Express is the high speed ferry boat that travels between Fort Myers and Key West Florida. They also leave out of Marco Island Florida. The boat pulls out of it’s Ft. Myers port around 8:30am and ties up in Key West around 11am. A relaxing 3 1/2 hours later and you’re walking down Duval looking for a cold rum drink.

They have a big boat and a bigger boat, depending on how many passengers traveling that day. Each boat has air conditioned cabins, sun decks, televisions.

What makes the Key West Express the best way to travel to Key Crazy though? Fort Myers, on the Southwest Florida coast, has a shiny new international airport and flying in and out is a breeze. Jump on a plane bound for Fort Myers, cab it down to Ft. Myers Beach and hop the Key West Express. Believe it or not, this might be a cheaper option for many travelers.

The biggest reason the ferry is the best way to get to Key West is because it turns getting to your destination part of your vacation. Getting there is half the fun! The Key West Express is stocked with a full bar (hello Boat Drinks!), has a variety of food items and the crew does everything to make your voyage a great one.

Then on your return trip there’s a good chance you’re going to be treated to one of the best sunsets you’ve seen. The Key West Express pulls out of Key West at 6pm and arrives back in Ft. Myers around 10:30pm. This puts you out in the open sea when the sun decides to climb down from the blue sky and melts into the Gulf of Mexico. I was on the boat a few weeks back and witnessed one hell of a sunset. Makes leaving Key West just a little easier knowing that mother nature might dazzle you on the open water.

So I’ve sold you taking the ferry down to Key West but you don’t know when to go. How about September 20th. That weekend (Saturday the 22nd) is the 2nd annual Conched in Key West Charity Bar Crawl. Come support Reef Relief and enjoy a rum drink or 3 on the streets of Key West. It will be a legendary time and it’s for a great cause. Click the “Conched” link above for more details.

Here are some more photos of a three hour tour that’s filled good times, good drinks and smooth seas.

The RSR Boat Drink Winner! Kevin S. and his Express De-Stress

Boat Drinks!

Cheers!

RumShopRyan

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The legacy of Ernest Hemingway, who lived and wrote in Key West throughout the 1930s, is to be recognized Tuesday through Sunday, July 17-22, during the 32nd annual Hemingway Days. The popular festival celebrates the literary accomplishments, angling prowess and Key West lifestyle of the Nobel Prize–winning author.

Events are to include a look-alike contest for erstwhile Ernests, an awards ceremony that caps the internationally recognized Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, a one-man play delving into the legendary author’s life and motivations, three days of marlin fishing and a tongue-in-cheek “Running of the Bulls.”

The announcement of the winners of the annual short story competition, directed by critically acclaimed author and Hemingway granddaughter Lorian Hemingway, is set for Friday, July 20. The event typically takes place at Casa Antigua, 314 Simonton St., Ernest Hemingway’s first Key West residence.

Other literary offerings include the “Voices, Places, Inspirations” evening of author readings at Wyland Galleries, 623 Duval St.

Those with a physical rather than literary resemblance to Hemingway can compete in Sloppy Joe’s “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. Past winners choose the new “Papa” from approximately 125 stocky, bearded hopefuls at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, 201 Duval St., a watering hole frequented by the author. Preliminary rounds are scheduled Thursday and Friday, July 19 and 20, with the final round Saturday, July 21— the 113th anniversary of Ernest’s birth.

The “Papas” also enliven other festival events including Saturday’s infamous “Running of the Bulls” outside Sloppy Joe’s, featuring manmade bull replicas, and a Hemingway birthday celebration complete with cake.

Those who share Ernest’s passion for angling can enter the 2012 Key West Marlin Tournament. With three days of fishing and substantial cash prizes for top catches, the tournament begins Wednesday, July 18.

Hemingway is to take center stage when actor and playwright Brian Gordon Sinclair presents “In Deadly Ernest,” the final one-man play from his renowned six-part “Hemingway On Stage” series.

Other festival attractions include Sloppy Joe’s Arm Wrestling Championship, a 5k sunset run and a lively street fair on Key West’s Duval Street. Visitors also can tour an exhibition of rare Hemingway memorabilia at the Key West Museum of Art & History, 281 Front St., and the author’s former home at 907 Whitehead St.

Event information: www.hemingwaydays.net
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest · twitter.com/thefloridakeys ·youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV

(Lead photo by Adventuroskate.com)

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After one sip, you’ll be puttin’ those feet up on the dashboard.

This will be the second day in a row that I talk about something Kenny Chesney related, and rightly so. This weekend kicks off Chesney’s Brothers of the Sun summer tour and I for one am ready. This Saturday at Raymond James Stadium there will be tailgating madness, island music blaring on the radio and 60 thousand crazy fans screaming song that they know by heart. One big Castaway party. Yup, summertime is here and this week’s Boat Drink recipe will kick off the season with a blast of refreshing flavor. What do we call this drink? Summertime of course.

Honorary RSR mixologist Jeremy McDaniel created the Summertime cocktail and aptly named it after Chesney’s smash hit that goes by the same title. I will tell you that I haven’t had the chance to taste this cocktail yet, but anything with light and dark rum along with refreshing lemonade…sign me up.

The Summertime cocktail might be a little complex for your average tailgating party, but sitting poolside or at your favorite beach bar, this drink will certainly push back those summertime temps. Put a little Summertime in your glass and let’s kick off the summer the right way!

Summertime

Ingredients:

• 1oz Light Rum
• 1oz Dark Rum
• 1/2oz Triple Sec
• 2oz Lemonade
• 1oz OJ
• 1oz Cranberry Juice
• Splash Simple Syrup
• Splash Club Soda

Mixing Instructions: Shake all over ice except club soda. Strain into glass with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with lemon wedge. Raise glass and toast.

As always, let me know if you mix up this Boat Drink and what you thought.

Myself and a larger group are going to be tailgating at the Chesney show in Tampa Saturday. Come find us and say hi!

Cheers to the summer. Cheers to concert season. May your ears find music that takes you away to a salty piece of land.

RumShopRyan

(Photo by ScottDunn.com)

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Music superstar Kenny Chesney announced he’s expanding his partnership with Costa with five new limited edition sunglasses, with a portion of the proceeds continuing to benefit Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). The partnership, which debuted in 2011 on Chesney’s “Goin’ Coastal” concert tour, has raised more than $50,000 for CCA to date.

The five new Kenny Chesney Costa styles include Hammerhead, Caballito, Switchfoot, Hammock and Maya, and will retail from $129 to $199. Each style will feature Kenny Chesney’s signature and his palm tree logo inside the frame, and will come in a variety of unique color combinations, including tortoise/light green, black/white and clear/light blue.

The sunglasses will be available for purchase at authorized Costa retail outlets and online at www.costadelmar.com/kenny in late May.

Five percent of the sales from this year’s limited edition sunglasses will benefit CCA’s ongoing marine conservation efforts. In addition to CCA’s long history of advocating for the conservation of coastal marine resources, the grassroots organization has helped fund habitat restoration initiatives throughout the Gulf of Mexico and south Atlantic, including a $500,000 project for Independence Island in Louisiana. The group also secured more than $400,000 in Texas reefing projects, reef creation in Alabama’s Bon Secour Bay, and oyster restoration efforts in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland.

“The partnership with Costa Sunglasses and the Coastal Conservation Association is a natural extension of who I am and what I believe in,” said Chesney. “We live the coastal lifestyle – it’s part of who we are. It’s up to us to help protect and preserve the oceans and beaches for future generations.”

“Support from a superstar like Kenny Chesney and a visionary corporation like Costa does so much to focus attention on important ocean conservation issues,” said Pat Murray, president of CCA. “The funds raised through the Limited Edition Kenny Chesney Costa Sunglasses will go to help programs such as marine habitat creation and youth outreach, ensuring a brighter future for our shared marine resources.”

Costa also announced its title sponsorship of Chesney’s online radio station, No Shoes Radio (www.noshoesradio.com). The free station offers listeners a glimpse into Chesney’s personal music playlist, with songs from artists ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to George Jones to Police. No Shoes Radio will broadcast live from various Costa retail outlets throughout Chesney’s “Brothers of the Sun” summer concert tour with musical artist Tim McGraw.

“We’re excited to continue our relationship with Kenny in 2012.  I think his fans will love the new styles and new colors we’ve created for this year’s line,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa Sunglasses. “Not only will fans love how they look, they’ll also love how they feel, because by buying Kenny Costas they are helping to protect the coast lines we all love so much.”
Chesney kicks off his Brothers of the Sun tour 2012 presented by Corona Light in Tampa, Fla. on Sat., June 2. For more information, visit www.kennychesney.com.

About Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney—who has sold over 30 million albums to date and is a four-time Country Music Association and four-in-a-row-Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year recipient—had another landmark year in 2011 and 2012 looks to be even better for the superstar, who stands as the only artist in any genre to sell 1 million concert tickets for eight consecutive summers. Kenny will release Welcome To The Fishbowl, his 13th studio album on June 19 and is the follow up to the critically acclaimed Hemingway’s Whiskey, which become Chesney’s sixth album to debut at Number One on the Billboard 200 chart, and yielded the # 1 singles, “The Boys of Fall,”"Somewhere With You,”“Live A Little” and most recently “Reality” which became his 23rd # 1 single.

The Top 5 hit “You & Tequila” with Grace Potter was nominated for a Grammy and won a CMA Award and is nominated for 2 CMT Awards.  The ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour with Tim McGraw kicks off June 2 in Tampa, Fla. and will play more than 20 stadiums across the country.

About Costa™

As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability.  Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa creates the highest quality, best performing sunglasses on the planet for outdoor enthusiasts.

For Costa, conservation is all about sustainable fishing.  Many fisheries that should be vibrant and healthy are all but devoid of native fish because they have fallen victim to poor fishing practices, unregulated development, lack of watershed protection or all of the above. Costa works with partners around the world to help increase awareness and influence policy so that both the fish and fishermen of tomorrow will have healthy waters to enjoy.  Costa encourages others to help in any way they can.

For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s web site at www.costadelmar.com. Join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/costasunglasses, on Twitter @CostaSunglasses, or on The Watery Rave blog.

This addition of “Castaways In The Wild” has photos from all over sent in by island spirited Castaways. From the Northeastern United States to the BVI, from St. Thomas Carnival to the Kentucky Derby, these Castaways know how to live well and live right. They take their love of the Caribbean lifestyle every where they go.

Seeing photos like this makes all the work put into this blog worth it. I get no bigger thrill than seeing you guys live “The Life” and letting a little piece of the RumShop world tag along with you. Really is quite special.

Above photo is from our good friends at Barefoot Bars. Thanks for sending it in guys! Now here are the rest of this addition of Castaways In The Wild. Cheers!

Shot by RSR at Bowditch Park on the wnd of Ft. Myers Beach.

Jeff H. is enjoying Carnival on St. Thomas with his Castaway Koozie.

Another Castaway at St. Thomas Carnival - shot by Jeff H.

Billy D. is celebrating Cinco De Mayo island style. Cheers Billy!

Billy D. representing well at the Kentucky Derby.

Barbie W. knows how to island hop in the Keys the right way.

Amy W. is exploring the Baths of Virgin Gorda in a great shirt and a great visor!

Amy W. enjoying a Caribbean night on St. Thomas with a Castaway Koozie.

Thanks again for all the great photos guys! If you’d like to submit a photo with your Castaway gear, feel free to email me or post them on the RumShopRyan Facebook page. If you don’t have any Castaway gear yet, you need to join this exclusive club. The available items are located at the top right area on the home page (below the header). Keep sending in those great photos guys! Here are some more great photos of Castaways in the Wild.

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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You spoke and I listened. The RSR Rum Life stickers are here and ready for you Castaways.

Little over a month ago I posted examples of 5 different versions of the Rum Life stickers and let you guys vote one which ones should be made. You guys picked perfectly. I’ve already put one on my car and have been representing here in Southwest Florida.

What is the Rum Life?

Sure it’s a twist off of the popular “Salt Life” that seems to be everywhere, but Rum Life is a little different. It’s a different attitude. People who represent the “Rum Life” are more fun, more passionate. We love everything that goes along with the island lifestyle–the music, the beaches, the irie vibes, the local rums. We carry the island spirit with us, we seek out the stress free, get away from it all frame of mind and live it to the best of our abilities. Sure we love our rum drinks strong and plentiful, but it’s so much more. It’s a state of mind, it’s a way of life, it’s being a Castaway. The Rum Life is hard to put into words, but if you understand what I’m talking about, no words are necessary.

Here are the sticker designs.

Do you live the Rum Life?

Rum Life with double palm RSR logo. Size is 16 inches wide, 6 inches tall.

Rum Life single palm. 13 inches long, 7 inches tall.

Price will be $6.75 with a flat $1.25 for shipping. Please email me if shipping international.

Sticker Type

Double Palm RSR Logo Rum Life Sticker$6.75 USD Single Palm Rum Life Sticker$6.75 USD

I hope you guys like these as much as I do. As always, please send in photos of yourself rocking the new stickers. Can’t wait to see what you do with them.

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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You’ve walked Duval until you’re feet hurt, partied at Irish Kevin’s until you forgot your name and sunk your face into Blue Heaven’s famous Key Lime Pie, now it’s time to catch your ride back to the real world. Leaving Key West is always a hard thing to do. Seems like that crazy island knows how to set its hooks deep into people. But when your transportation back to the real world is the Key West Express, leaving can be something you look forward to.

The Key West Express ferry departs Key West at 6pm and heads North through the Gulf of Mexico to Fort Myers. During this trip you’ll get to relax in the air conditioned cabin or let the sea breeze blow across your skin on the top decks. It’s a relaxing way to travel.

By far the best part of this trip to Fort Myers is the show mother nature puts on. Gaze port side and you’ll see the sun slowly climb down from its perch and slip into the Gulf waters. The sky glows, the water sparkles and passengers filter to the top deck for the best viewing. Couples have strangers take their photo, people fight for railing space and all of this happens at an ocean skimming 26 knots or so. It’s quite an experience, one that makes leaving Key West just a little easier.

Here are a few photos I snapped a couple weeks ago on my way back from the Key West Songwriters Festival.

Scary thing is these photos can’t even hold a candle to the real deal.

If you want a chance to see this show for yourself, hop on the boat with me this September for the Conched in Key West Charity Bar Crawl. We’ll take the boat down on Friday the 21st and the bar crawl happens on the 22nd. Email me if you have questions or would like ticket information.

The Key West Express has a saying, getting there is half the fun, and I would have to agree. I’d like to add though, that leaving isn’t to shabby either.

Feel free to pin these on Pinterest!

Cheers,
RumShopRyan

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After one sip, you’ll feel as if you’ve been kissed by the sun.

When Castaway Jeremy M. first sent me this Boat Drinks recipe I knew it would make a good post. Then after I mixed up the ingredients in my favorite glass and conducted a little research, I knew we had a winner.

The Island Tan is a mixture of some of the usual suspects; pineapple, orange juice, rum. Then a couple that are a little surprising. The Island Tan as you might guess, has Cruzan Rum Cream in it. Not usually mixed with fruit juices (at least in my home bar), the Cruzan Rum Cream adds a nice twist. I had my first experience with Cruzan Rum Cream this past January in St. Thomas at Bolongo Bay Resort. The fine people at Cruzan hooked us up with a rum tasting for the Castaway Winter Beach Bash and their Rum Cream was on the menu. Tasted amazing straight up. Now tasting it in a cocktail is pretty damn good as well.

The Island Tan

Cocktail Ingredients:

• 3 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 1/2 oz OJ
• 1/2 oz Cruzan Rum Cream
• 3/4oz cream of coconut
• 2oz Cruzan 9 spiced rum (or Siesta Key Spice if you can find it)
• Dash of Angostura Bitters

Mixing Instructions: Shake all or blend all with cup of ice until smooth. Raise glass and toast.

Next time you’re in a Boat Drink kind of mood, give the Island Tan a try and let me know what you think. I think with a drink like this you’re either going to love it or hate it. Let us know the verdict.

Cheers!
RumShopRyan

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June 2nd the Brothers Of The Sun Tour featuring Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Jake Owen roll into Tampa Florida. Chesney shows are legendary for their all day tailgating parties and this one will be no different.

Myself and Shawn from Coastlines & Tan Lines are organizing a little tailgating group. All Castaways are invited! Come join the party, rum drinks will be flowing and Chesney will be playing.

We’ve set up a Facebook event page here. Join the page and leave a comment to let us know your coming. I’ll try to have Castaway koozies for everyone that shows up.

Hope to see a lot of you guys there!

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

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Last week reggae star Mishka released a mini album called, “Anything Anytime Anywhere – EP.” If you’re new to the foot tapping beats of Mishka, I’ve written about him before here and here. If you’re wanting a crash course on Mishka’s music–picture yourself sitting in a beach chair on a perfect swath of sand in the Caribbean, sweat dripping from your rum drink and a gentle breeze blowing across your face. As you push your toes deeper into the sand, you think to yourself that it’s impossible to be anymore relaxed than you are at this very second. Now take that feeling and put it to music, that’s Mishka. It’s the audio interpretation of…everything be irie mon.

I just downloaded the album and it’s more of the classic Mishka style that you’re use to. The trademark smooth flow continues to shine and the lyrics continue to inspire.

Here’s what Mishka lover and fellow Castaway PinkyDempsey said about the new album:

“Brother Mishka is amazing! He is so compassionate about his music and has such an impressive outlook on life’s journey, that such a positive vibe is reflected in his music. If you want peace in your soul, put on some Mishka. By far, my favorite person and artist ever. Bless up!”

Here is a short teaser video team Mishka put out to make our ears dance.

The mini album has six tracks that will have your mind flood with images of gin clear water and lazy island days. The tracks are…

1. Hey Hey My My
2. Cool Down
3. The Prophet
4. Neva Give Up
5. My Son
6. Anything Anytime Anywhere

The title track of Anything Anytime Anywhere is my favorite. I just listened to it 4 times in a row. Decompression complete.

Check out Mishka’s tour dates here. I highly recommend seeing him live if you get the chance.

If you want to get your hands on the new music, you can download Mishka’s Anything Anytime Anywhere album here.

Cheers,

RumShopRyan

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