By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist

scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com

Believe it or not, there’s more to the Sport Fishing Capital of the World than sport fishing.  Think original, hand-crafted art and beer.  And there’s no better time to visit Islamorada and sample those two staples than this week.

The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, located at milemarker 81.5, U.S. Highway 1, will hold its monthly free, fun “Third Thursday” Art Walk April 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sure, there’s plenty of marine art on display, but that’s not nearly the half of it.

You’ll find beautiful hand-painted furniture made of recycled wood; unique pottery crafted by at least a dozen artists at Morada Way Clay; a variety of silver-plate accessories such as napkin and candle holders, jewelry and necklaces made by the father-daughter team at Tropical Creations; and psychedelically- decorated stand-up paddleboards from Otherside Boardsports.  And, oh yeah, some gorgeous fish art from the Redbone and Michelle Nicole Lowe art galleries– plus plenty of others.

Strolling around looking at art often causes thirstiness, so you’ll probably want to step into the Florida Keys Brewing Company– the Keys’ only micro-brewery.  Husband-and-wife owners Craig and Cheryl McBay opened this suds mecca about a year and half ago, now making and selling more than 40 different brews to enthusiastic acclaim.

Among the offerings sold only in the Keys:  Iguana Bait– a German-style Kolsch with hints of honey and hibiscus; Rum Smuggler– a popular stout brewed in rum barrels; and the best seller, Smelly Butt– an India pale ale crafted with whole ripe pineapples.

If you can’t make this month’s Art Walk, feel free to visit the brewery and individual galleries on your own.

For some five-star gourmet food and a look at some historical Keys photography, stop by the Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort located at milemarker 82.  Have lunch at Guy’s Beachside Bar and Grill, then take a short walk over to the Keys History & Discovery Center, located right on the property.  Open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.–(general admission, $12)–the center is displaying the work of photojournalist Arthur Rothstein through May 29.  Rothstein’s 40 photos depict life in Key West and the Upper Keys during the Great Depression following the 1935 Labor Day hurricane that left the island chain in shambles.

Taking in the exhibit will make you grateful for today’s modern infrastructure in the Keys, as you continue your travels and exploration.

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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/.  For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling camping, sailing and powerboat racing.  She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women’s world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit. 

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