Chug-Chugging on the African Queen in Key Largo

The Key West Inn at Key Largo, Fla., as seen from Sharkey's Pub & Galley Restaurant. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — The Key West Inn at Key Largo, Fla., as seen from Sharkey’s Pub & Galley Restaurant.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

On the second leg of our Florida Keys fling, the Brawny Sherpa and I head from Key Biscayne over to Key Largo, where we stay in a one-bedroom duplex at the oddly named Key West Inn at Key Largo where we inevitably wonder whether there is a Key Largo Inn at Key West. Our plans for Key West are high end, so on this part of our journey, they are low.

Our duplex suite at the Key West Inn at Key Largo featured a living room, kitchen, porch, bathrooms upstairs and down, and an upper-level bedroom. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — Our duplex suite at the Key West Inn at Key Largo featured a living room, kitchen, porch, bathrooms upstairs and down, and an upper-level bedroom.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Our canal-side room overlooks Sharkey’s Pub & Galley Restaurant, to which we promptly head—only to learn that an overpass is a healthy walk away. No bother, because on our journey, we discover that the original African Queen—the boat in the Humphrey Bogart film of the same name—is based here and that we can take a quick canal cruise.

Aboard the African Queen Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — Aboard the African Queen
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

After talking to a Hemingway-lookalike (who even calls his wife ‘Mother’) and slamming back a fast one at Sharkey’s, we hop aboard the little steam-powered boat with another couple and tour the canal. The African Queen, originally built in England in 1912, really did transport cargo and missionaries in Africa before becoming a big star courtesy of John Huston, Katharine Hepburn, and Bogey. We expect some movie nostalgia on this trip but had anticipated a different flick.

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Eventually we make our way to the Bayside Grille after a stop for some vegan confection at Key Largo Chocolates. It will be hard for a Key West sunset to beat this one.

The view from the dock at the Bayside Grille, Key Largo, Fla. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini — The view from the dock at the Bayside Grille, Key Largo, Fla.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Note from the Brawny Sherpa: Mechanics, engine lovers, and tinkerers of all kinds will appreciate the workings of the African Queen’s steam engine, which propels the boat during our journey. Also, bring a drink from Sharkey’s for the ride. Bogey drank Gordon’s.

—Lori Tripoli

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