|
Bears in the Keys V was held August 6-9 at the Atlantic Shores Resort in Key West, Florida.
|
Entrance to the Atlantic Shores Resort
Originally started by a south Florida club, responsibility for BITK was assumed by two bears
from Mobile, Alabama -- Frank and Tonnie -- and it clearly is a labor of love. Limited to
125 participants, this southernmost run in the US packs more fun, food, fur and frolic per day and dollar
than any bear event I have experienced.
|
The pool and bar area at Atlantic Shores
I sensed I was in for something special when a Bears in the Keys V banner greeted me at the Key
West airport. After a short, scenic cab ride to the hotel and quick check-in, I headed for
registration.
|
The goodie bag
The all-inclusive run fee covers 3 nights in the hotel, a banquet on Saturday night, various parties, three
breakfasts, and a goodie bag that must be seen to be believed... BITK logo tshirt (tank top optional), coffee mug,
bear tag, water bottle, small towel, key chain, ball cap,
door hanger, pen, squirt gun, and mints,
in additional to the usual run pin, lube, condoms and BEAR magazine... all in a nifty tote bag..
BITK doesn't have a traditional 'contest', instead giving each registrant cards for 'Southernmost
Cub', 'Southernmost Grizzly', and 'Southernmost Daddy', to be given to whoever they think
most deserves (or earns) it.
|
A room at Atlantic Shores
The Atlantic Shores Resort, with comfortable art deco motif rooms recently redecorated, has a clothing optional
pool and pier with bar and snack bar, which is open to the public during the day,
but that didn't provide much of a deterence to many bears.
|
WOOF!
I headed to the pool area and it
wasn't long before I had the swimsuit off and was in the pool meeting other bears.
|
Frank reads a raffle winner at the welcome party
The official Friday festivities began with a welcome party at the 'Shores, with beer and heavy munchies, followed
by a shuttle ride to the Number One Saloon at the back of the 801 Bar for more beer, and pizza.
|
The really "out" shuttle
The "get really acquainted" after-hours
party started at midnight back at the hotel clothing optional pool... this time all to ourselves...
with more beer and food.
|
Subs and brownies at the after-hours party
A pool full of naked bears led to some serious frolicing
(see the Lynn Ludwig pictures on his page and the Bears in the Keys page for more).
|
The Diner Shores Restaurant
Saturday started with the included breakfast at Diner Shores (get it?), a popular breakfast spot
in Key West, and part of the hotel.
[TOP]
|
|
Many bears then went off on an optional moped tour of the
island, while others chose to lounge around the pool and enjoy the sights.
|
The sights at the pool
A constant off-shore breeze blows across the pool, making it extremely comfortable for unclothed
ursines, no matter the temperature.
In the afternoon,
everyone converged on the pool, before getting ready for the cocktail party and banquet at the
Mariott Reach Resort next door. The cocktail party featured some incredible munchies (oh, those
|
Tonnie and Frank at the banquet, celebrating their third anniversary
conch fritters...), and the banquet had a choice of fish, chicken or prime rib, and more forks and
knives than a bear has paws. The shuttle then took the bears to the "Loaded for Bear" party at La Te Da, for more
beer and food, followed by another after-hours pool party, with more food, beer and naked frolicing.
|
Rusty, the bartender at Diner Shores
Another great breakfast Sunday morning, followed by 'free time.' Several took boat or snorkel
excursions, others went shopping on Duval street, others camped out at the pool. A brief storm
blew through (the only non-perfect weather the entire weekend), which seemed to get rid of most of the
|
The beach ball fight
tourists at the pool,
leading to a wonderful afternoon of uninhibited bear play.
|
Cuddling on the steps
|
Lounge chair space was at a premium...
|
...so they were shared
|
A hug and a kiss
|
Barbeque chicken and ribs and fixin's
In the evening, bears were
treated to a Bear-b-cue, followed by announcement of the contest winners,
|
"Southernmost Grizzly"
and the Atlantic Shores' popular Tea Dance. Activities came to an
end with the after-hours pool party, with the bears too sunburned and exhausted to do much of anything except
say their good-byes.
|
Sunset from the Atlantic Shores pier
Then, after a couple of hours of sleep and a 6:00 a.m. flight, I was back to reality at work by 11:00 a.m. What
a contrast!
Thanks to Frank and Tonnie and the staff at the Atlantic Shores for one of the world's great
bear parties. I already signed up for Bears in the Keys 6!
dwc
|
