Going Lobstering It was midsummer in Florida. My aunt Susan asked me if I wanted to go to Key West and go lobstering with her and my cousins for the weekend. Susan then added all expenses paid. Several things ran through my mind all at once. I have never been to Key West. I have never been lobstering. What else do I have to do in the middle of the summer? I just could not pass this up, so off I went. We arrive in Key West that Thursday evening via my aunt’s huge white, red and yellow, cigarette boat. Most people think it reminds them of McDonalds, but not me. The boat was sleek and fast. On the open water the boat goes 75 knots which is about 50 MPH, fast for a boat. We stayed on Flamingo Key, which is actually two keys up from Key West. We docked the boat in the marina near our hotel. Our hotel sat right on the beach. That night we went to Sloppy Joe’s on Duval Street. I had their famous Sloppy Joe Sandwich. It was awesome! Duval Street is one of the craziest places I have ever been. There are “flaming” gay people, beach bums, tourist and chickens, yes live chickens everywhere.
On the first day lobstering, the water was so clear you could see the images of the reefs and fish below. The sky was a brilliant blue and not a single cloud in the sky. Learning how to catch lobster was interesting. You basically get drug around by a boat via tow rope while snorkeling. It sounds easy but it’s not. You have to remember not to let go of the rope unless you are going for a lobster. You have to remember not to tilt your head to far down into the water or your snorkel will fill with water. Also keep a hold of your bag and spear. Lastly, watch for SHARKS! Sharks, no one said anything about there being sharks.
After being pulled around for most of the morning, I saw my first lobster. I dove down under the water. Wow it was like being in a giant fish tank. The lobster was in a small nook in the reef all I could see was his little black eyes sticking out. I poked around in the nook with my spear and out he shot. I put in my bag. With one lobster down with many, many more to go I kept at it. I only got four but not bad for my first time. After being face down in the cool water all day looking for lobster you forget about the sun. Well, you forget until to go get ready for dinner and take a hot shower. I was the one who was the lobster now. I was so sunburned.
In the morning of day two of lobstering I decided to go exploring. You know the thing I needed to remember about sharks, well. I was snorkeling right off the dock and saw a four foot brown nurse shark. I know it can’t really hurt me but seeing a shark up close and personal is still scary. We went back out on the boat right after lunch. This time while I was being pulled by the tow rope, I look over and see a Crush from “Finding Nemo” looking sea turtle. He was so majestic as he swam right next to me. As for lobsters, I didn’t get any on day two but I still had a great time. Oh, I remembered to wear a lot of sunscreen. That night we had a lobster boil. A boil is lobster, corn on the cob, red potatoes and really good crusty bread. I had never had lobster before. I‘m not really sure I will have it again, didn’t really like it much. It’s like eating a chewy, fishy smelling piece of meat, not good.
On our last day in Key West, the group of us caught the limit of lobsters allowed for one season. We were all sunburned and tired. I had seen and done things I had never done before and may never do again. It didn’t cost me anything. What else was I going to do in the middle of the summer? I had a great time that’s what.