Beau The Cephus and The Dry Tortugas Trip

Beau The Cephus Explains His Trip To The Dry Tortugas

 

 

Beau The Cephus has had an exciting time visiting Garden Key and Fort Jefferson. I, Langston am here and now present to translate his thoughts, desires, feelings and experiences.

After Sunset Celebration on Friday evening and effete Beau stumbled up and down Duval. He stopped by Captain Tony’s and Sloppy Joe’s for the music and to watch all of the activities. Beau said “I have never seen so many people jumping up and down, spinning, swaying and rubbing up to each other with music.” “They were eating and drinking as though there was no tomorrow to come ever. They were having such a great time.” He stopped in front of all of the live internet street cams and put his best side forward. He did have to slow down as a human wheelbarrow race came his way. So many people on their hands going down the asphalt. Sometimes they would end up on their heads. He did not think it a good idea to eat and drink for a while then be upside down going head first down the street.

Night had passed, the time was moving on into the early morning and the people were departing Duval. The delivery trucks were on the street depositing supplies with restaurants, bars, hotels and T Shirt  shops. There were several ice trucks with bags and blocks of ice. Beau cannot tolerate Ice. Beau is a warmth seeker. He went up Caroline  St. to Turtle Kraals for a little breakfast with his fellow freeloading kitties. There is always larapin eats at the Turtle Kraals.

Beau ate his fill of the vittles then curled up in the corner on the roof waiting for the warmth of the sun to arrive. He was aroused by the sounds of the ever-present seagulls landing and walking on the metal roof. They all seemed to be able to eat every morsel they found. They would swoop in take any food that Beau had near him. He jumped down onto the dock and walked over to the Dry Tortugas ferry. Beau traipsed up the ramp on the boat. He proceeded into the cabin. People were arriving on board. They were all talking at once and were very anxious to ride the ship.

Fort Jefferson, Garden Key
National Park Service Photo

 

 

One lady from Omaha was upset talking real low and setting still staring down at the sole of the boat. The boat has not yet left and she was one sea sick puppy. Beau knew what would come next if she didn’t take her sea legs medication. He changed sides of the cabin just to be sure that he would not be in range of her illness if it came to that.

A man came over to her with a paper cup in his hands. The guy suggested that she have a few sips to calm her upset stomach and to help make the sea level. Beau said “I would smirk if cats could smirk. But alas very few cats can make faces of amusement”. This woman took a few sips and bent forward toward the floor. In a few minutes she took a few more. She continued taking sips until they pulled the gangplank on board. Then there was a large swallow and a small belch. The “Yankee Cat” ship slowly pulled away from the dock. This woman was setting up straight looking out of the windows as she drew an another long sip from the cup into her mouth and down into her gullet. She gave forth a larger belch. As the ship pulled out of the bight she moved outside and walked around the deck still working on getting that marvelous ocean calming liquid. Beau figured that for her the sea was now as flat as a sheet of looking-glass.

Beau came out from his hiding place to check out all of the recesses and crannies of the boat.

He saw a young woman with the start of a sunburn. Beau has had many sunburns in his day. He loves to lay with his feet up in the air and let the sun feast upon his belly. She was fast becoming pink.

She had blond hair and was enjoying her day. Beau jumped up on the bench behind her and began to style her beautiful hair with his finely tuned tongue. The girl stroked Beau and he worked harder. A young man stuck his head into the cabin and motioned to the girl while saying “Charly come see the fish around the boat.” The girl gave The Cephus one last stroke down his back to the end of his long tail and said “Bye Bye Katzen” and headed out the door onto the deck.

Laying on the upper deck behind the wheel house in the sun was a roar for Beau. He walked to the edge of the upper deck and watched the water slide past the boats hull. He saw large green sea turtles swimming slowly the crystal clear gulf water. They looked like large brown plates with a small head. Beau fantasized about riding on the back of a large one to the island.

The captain told everyone to look to the north for a small group of islands he called the Marquesa. How grand it would be to stay on one of those islands. Beau does like his comforts. Water, and a clear piece of beach being just two things he really needs. He could eat the crabs on the beach all day long. He did need fresh water to wash them down. With none in sight he decided he should stay aboard. So on goes the trip.

He saw a few old boats that had sunk, just laying on the bottom, resting in the white sand. . One was just rocking side to side in the gentle gulf current.

Charlene from Micanopy

 

He imagined himself and his friend Charlene from Micanopy on the bow of a large sailing ship. Beau thinks having two different colored eyes like Charlene is very cute. Cutting through the warm water with the wind blowing through their hair. Ah, that my human friends would certainly be a true “Cats Meow”. The boat would be called “The Catanic” . He liked the name, but not the ending.

Beau was just laying in the sun on the edge of the deck watching the waters for turtles. He would occasionally look up at the sky for a chance to see some Brown Noddies or Masked Boobys fly by on their ways to another island. He loves birds. There is a preference for a Sooty Tern on a spit. Some times just a little wren will do. That is a 2 small claws lunch, which is like 2 stars. Left or right he does not care which claw. He can eat with either.

While watching he noticed low flying gulls that would fly by and give, the old “I am going to pick you to the bone, kitty”. Being ever prudent and fearful The Cephus moved back into the cabin. He needed his nap to prepare for his arduous job of checking on the Fort. He curled up on a bench and began rubbing his eyes as they were closing.

I Langston, must await for his instructions when he once again begins to speak.

Beau’s Trip Up and Down US 1.

Beau The Cephus wants his ventures from Bone Key to No Name Key offered for your consideration. I Langston, here offer Beau’s thoughts on this, his risky adventures.

Beau Gives His Thoughts

Beau travels up from the corner of Telegraph Lane and Green Street on Bone Key, 31 miles, to the No Name Pub for lunch after a party night of walking on the Wild side of Duval street. He would often hang out at the Kino Sandal Factory and just lay on the stones under the Palm trees waiting for early morning. He prefers to ride in the back of a large car. The large rear windows allow him to lay in the sun and warm his fragile soul as the car progresses from the south to the north. A car with a slight rumble from the exhaust and a rear tire that is a little out of balance is desirable. The rumble reminds Beau of his days in the womb of his dear Queen Mother Orie. She had an unusual diet of  Iron Rim Wooden rickshaw wheel with a light sheen of rust, fresh pressed Grey Lizard shoulder, and Slammed Latex Painted Door Jam, Green Tree Frog (aged over 35 hours). She would eat at all times of  the day. This would cause an excess of sounds from her internals. The movement of the car, as it would go up and down with the unbalanced tires, would act an a soothing massage for Beau. That massage was very much like the environment that Beau and his brother Momo would experience as Queen Orie went through her days of pregnancy.

Visits to Big Pine and No Name Key were always done with great delight. There was alway a chance to see and watch the Key Deer. Some smaller than a dog. Beau always viewed him self as a lion on the Savannah chasing down an antelope for a day’s meal. What a great thought. However running is not one of Beaus strengths. Things would be better if the deer just came up to Beau and laid down on it’s side for him. Beau enjoyed the deer so much he could never harm even the littlest one.

Beau liked the Pub’s Private Garden. A dining place where a human, cat, dog or deer could feast on 1/2 Lb. grouper lightly fried in crunchy bread crumbs. Beau always fancied that he could eat the whole thing. However, Langston would eat most of it and a Smoked BBQ pork sandwich as well. Beau knew that if he dropped food on the garden walkway that at night the deer would come by and nibble portions up and away.

Beau Before Arriving On Bahia Honda

Beau was then off to Bahai Honda to a rest on the beach before readying himself to return to the cool side of Duval. He would often walk out on the remains of the old bridge and watch the fish below swim from the Atlantic to the Gulf side. He would once again see him self as an eagle swooping down for a large snapper. Beau is not to sure of his ability too swim so he just sets there on the end of the bridge just looking down at the swirling water watching the fish go on their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

When Beau arrived back on Bone Key he headed down to Green Street going to the Cat House to check out any new evening collars or booties for his saunter back down Duval Street. After dressing and putting on a few swaths of saliva on his hair he would go to Captain Tony’s for a few throw backs. He would stop in front of Sloppy Joes at the water meter cover and just preen and glow for the internet cam over and to the right of the door. Beau is always looking for safe ways to show his great talents where he can not be criticized or caused to have negative feelings about himself. He likes good feedback but does not want even a hint of bad comments. A glance or roll of the eyes can ruin his week. Staying safe is one of his many mottos.

The corner of the busy streets of Eaton and Duval is home to a Church that Beau often visits. He has spent many an evening on the steps of St Paul’s Episcopal Church, cat and people watching. Some evenings he is joined by entertainers before the Sun Set Celebrations. They will warm up for small crowds of people and be given some payment for their efforts. He will then spend time on the grounds of the Curry House in the early afternoon sucking up all available head and back strokes with kind words from passersby.

Beau Before Leaving For Saint Paul's

Beau finds the streets in Old Town Key West safe to walk. There is never a speeding car. However during Spring break a sound like a hive of angry bees means students speeding on mopeds. Most students come from up North and have never ridden a moped before. There are many accidents when they are around. Beau will stay on the sidewalk when he hears their mad buzz. They do well until they try to stop in a hurry.

The time has come for Beau to head on down to Mallory Pier for Celebration. Tonight may be the night when Beau can claw up his courage high enough to attempt the feline show on the high wire. He is going down Front Street on his way. He just waved his paw in the air and started running. We hope this is a good time for him tonight.