On Saturday, we left the resort about 7:30 am and drove straight to Fort Walton Beach. After a major effort to find the correct address, the guys helped me unload the truck and set up my tables for a jewelry show. They continued on to Pensacola to spend the day at the National Naval Aviation Museum. (www.NavalAviationMuseum.org)
I was located in the courtyard of a little shopping center which includes “Fokkers Sports Pub”, a Thai restaurant, Pet Boutique, a Cigar shop, and Stella’s Boutique. It’s in a good location but hard to find as it’s located behind a nightclub and “Tattoo Zoo” which front the 98. Piper, the owner, has invited a group of “artists” to participate in an open market each Saturday. It’s a new event and I’m confident that as word gets around and her press release is out, the activity will pick up. As for this particular hot, humid but otherwise enjoyable day, participation and attendance were low.
An old (my age) biker named Bo, was set up next to me. He was offering kids the opportunity to search for either fossils or gemstones. For $5 per bag, I was impressed with how much treasure each child actually acquired. He has a very animated personality, a passion for vintage motorcycles, a big heart and I enjoyed working next to him.
There was a Jamaican family grilling jerked chicken and playing reggae music. Other vendors were selling tie-dyed clothes, homemade spaghetti sauce, etched wine glasses, and art prints.
Did I mention it was REALLY hot? I think that even my ankles were sweating. Piper offered margaritas to all the vendors but I thought it would be wise for me to stick with iced tea and water.
The smell of the grilled chicken was in the air, the music was playing and the fan (which Bo was kind enough to point in my direction) kept blowing his cigarette ashes in my eyes. You know I didn’t give up the fan but did give him hell all day about his chain smoking. He sincerely confessed that it had taken a lot for him to give up drinking, drugs, and EVEN smoking pot; he had to have his cigarettes. God love him and his “one little vice”.
The guys had a great time at the aviation museum and didn’t return until dinner time. They went in to Fokker’s and ordered a pizza while I started packing up my wares. After Stephan finished eating, he came back out to trade places so that I could enjoy my pizza in the air conditioning. When I entered the pub, I first noticed the musician on stage playing the harmonica and guitar. Then I noticed that Wagner was the only person in the Pub. There he sat with his pizza, sipping his drink, and enjoying the private performance. I laughed with him about it, then later introduced him to the concept of tipping the band as we made our way out.
As Stephan and I loaded everything into the truck, Wagner sat on the bench outside “Tattoo Zoo” and chatted with his buddy, Mitch. We were all tired and ready for bed by the time we arrived home.