We Have Lift-off

In an impromptu outpouring of Community (with a capital C) affection, friends of Captain Outrageous marched in procession through the streets of Old Town Key West yesterday to conduct the iconic Captain's spirit from his art gallery on Caroline Street to the VFW on Emma Street in Bahama Village for a tribute to the man who was a friend to anyone who would be a friend to him -- on his terms, not theirs.

A crowd estimated at 200 people traveled over the back streets of Old Town for over an hour, led by a band made up of musicians who knew him. The band preceded a black hearse carrying a plush pink casket that contained, not his earthly remains, but the painted vest, his painted cowboy boots, and other memorabilia of his rich life. Following the band were his girlfriend Sherry and his most recent ex-wife (he had seven), Jennifer, and a host of friends.

The procession halted at Harpoon Harry's where the Captain ate breakfast most mornings and, later, at the Green Parrot. There a 21-dove salute was given, with the flock circling overhead three times before heading back to their roost on Big Pine Key. With the fading sun catching the dove's flight, the marchers broke into unbidden applause before continuing on to the streets of Bahama Village to arrive at their destination.

We'll let the pictures tell the story for now, although there is much more to be said and, in time, some of it will, perhaps here, perhaps in other places by other people.