This year we knew what to expect

This year we knew what to expect and we were fully prepared with costumes, ideas and paint. We drove down from Miami and stayed at The Marriott Courtyard Waterfront in Key West. Each day Captain Tony's was our starting and ending point for the day.

After a late start we arrived on Duvall Street around 9:00 pm. We missed "Plaid Night," but the outfit still worked for Wednesday and "Red Night." Cheri looked great in her little school girl's outfit.

Cheri's outfit was a big hit an she received a lot of attention. Not only from the guys ...

Cheri didn't like her Toga, so she decided to do a different version of a Playboy Bunny instead. She asked Pashur to paint a pink bunny on each boob to match her nice G String. Lucky guy, he had to hand paint them.

Cars stopped, she was interviewed, bikers wanted her to sit on their bikes and she even met a "superstar." (That's Jimmy Buffet on the left in the far right picture.)

Since it was Toga night, one of us had to keep the theme on.

Last year, one of Cheri's costumes was Lady Godiva. This guy guy printed up a T-shirt of her and came "Looking for Lady Godiva" ... lucky guy, he found her! Lady Godiva also made the front page of the 2004 Fantasy Fest flyer.

She even got to sell beer. Best sales they had all night!

Medusa and Perseus were the costumes for today. Cheri spent many hours creating the wig, and Pashur and his assistant spent two-and-a-half hours creating the costume. Naturally their work drew a large crowd and every step was documented by numerous photographers.

Friday was a great day, but not as crazy as Saturday. We came up with our "costumes" a photography session Cheri had this year, where she was plastered with mud and then "hand" painted. It was fun putting it all on each other and then "touching up" as the day went on ... and there were plenty of helpers.

Although we had decided we would walk in the parade this year, as the day went on we realized we would never get to the starting point in time. So when a group of ex-fighter pilots asked us to join them of course agreed. Especially since they had reserved front row seats at one of the res

taurants on the parade route.

We had to have a sleep in to re-energize ourselves for our

last night in Key West to celebrate Tony's birthday. We were told The Green Parrott was the place to go so Cheri decided to wear a green mesh dress and a couple of dollar signs. What else does a birthday boy need? With a new friend's her costume turned into a collection plate. As she walked around the bar people could put a dollar or more anywhere in her dress. With so many beads already this turned in to a great idea!!!!!!

Cheri ended up with more covering than expected, and a fist-full of dollars.

So that was another Fantasy Fest. We had agreed to be in bed by midnight as we had to be on the road early. Our flight was leaving Miami at noon and we had no idea what traffic would be like....well midnight came and went and we were still in The Green Parrott but we made the flight and slept all the way home.

Wednesday -- Red Night

Thursday -- Toga Night

Friday -- Street Fair Night

Saturday -- Parade Day

Sunday -- Tony's Birthday