I love going out of town and leaving daily life behind. Frankly, who doesn’t. I love exploring a new place and trying all of the food. Yeah… most people feel that way. I certainly felt like I was overdue for a vacation, like my engine has been running on fumes and it was time for an injection of the ocean.
Fortunately, my boyfriend’s parents invited us to meet them in Key West for vacation/ interrogation/ proof that my boyfriend bagged a catch like me. I can’t imagine a better way to get to know a significant others guardians than doing it seaside.
BF and I flew down to Miami then took a scenic convertible ride to Key West. Having the top down and feeling the sun and breeze on my face helped me forget about all about what’s going on back home and helped release the pain in my head.
As soon as we took the seven mile bridge onto the island of Key West, I felt like everything that had been bothering me was practically gone. I was nervous about meeting his dad and step-mom, mostly that I would say something really dumb and then they hate me.
We arrive and exchange pleasantries and head over to start the best part of vacations: eating. Starting on the right foot, we get to Schooner Warf Bar in the Old Town part of Key West. This is a total vets joint. It started as a tiny dockside bar and they just kept adding on umbrella-ed tables and makeshift seating areas, kinda like a weird friendship bracelet of leathery tattooed skin and strong rum drinks. The ambiance was completed by an old lady smoking and hand rolling cigars.
I’m got that giddy vacation feeling as a order a mojito served in a plastic cup while watching a Keith Richards lookalike sing, sitting next to my boyfriend near some boats. I’m set.
We order a few appetizers for the four of us: peel-n-eat shrimp, a dozen raw oysters, conch fritters, crab cakes, and to my surprise, BUFFALO SHRIMP.
Yes, fresh Key West Pink Shrimp breaded and tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce. I had low expectations 
but it was everything I could have ever wanted: my favorite critter of the sea and my favorite sauce. I honestly could have eaten a bucket of them.
It’s crazy to me that just having Buffalo Shrimp helped me set the tone for vacation and helped me not have word vomit on the parental units.
It was such a relaxing trip which made for a sad departure.
I keep thinking about those delicious baby wings of the sea as my headache has come back in full swing.
I like taking snapshots of special moments in my head and reflect on them when I need a boost. I feel grateful that I can use those buffalo shrimp and staring off into the ocean with my man by my side to get through my migraines. It’s wonderful knowing there’s a place in Key West where I can get buffalo shrimp.
Annie Lockwood 