Friends at the Steel Horse Saloon

Joyce and Heather, one of our friends at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon

Heather took care of us several times at the Steel Horse Saloon but we will never forget how she took care of us during the Super Bowl when we were there from 4pm to midnight.

Heather is a sassy lass that has her act together. She is in the Navy and works part time at the Steel Horse Saloon.

From the looks of Heather's hat she knows how to pick winners.

Joyce and Natalis Valdes, one of our friends at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon

Natalis is a Tampa transplant, her friends refer to Natalis as "Little Spit Fire". Natalis befriended us when we first got to Key West this year. In this picture Natalis was stationed at the front door registering guests for the FOUR free35" flat-screen TV's being given away during the super bowl game at the Steel Horse Saloon. Joyce volunteered to keep her company but Natalis said she would endure the drudgery from her spot and try to keep a smile on her face.

Joyce and Diana, one of our friends at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon

Diana is originally from Russia but is an Island girl now.

Diana was one of the first waitresses to wait on us at the Steel Horse Saloon and was always quick to stop by our table for some friendly chitchat.

Diana referred to us as her "little snow birds". Diana quickly learned that our drinks of choice are diet coke and water. Mercy, there is no end to the ribbing we get at the honky tonks for drinking "diet-coke".

Another comment or question we get is "how long have you two been married! We are quick to let them know, 42 years and still friends and having a ball!

We are blessed to have to made so many young friends at the Steel Horse Saloon.

Joyce and Samantha aka Sam one of our friends at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon

We were friends with both Sam and her room mate Lindsey who works at Pete's Piano Bar.

We would often spend the early part of our evening at Pete's Piano Bar with Lindsey because the dueling piano's got started at 8pm. Then we would migrate to the Steel Horse Saloon around 9:30 when the band started over there.

Sam worked a lot of days and would be working when we stopped in the Steel Horse for our BBQ.

In case I have not mentioned it the Steel Horse Saloon has great BBQ. We became addicted to the BBQ appetizer which consisted of three very nice BBQ sandwiches that I will describe this way..... take THREE Wendy's value burger buns and fill them to overflowing with delicious BBQ and you have the Steel Horse Saloon's BBQ appetizer.

Folks, if you are in Key West...... make sure you stop by the Steel Horse Saloon for one of your meals. The food is great. By the way.....their onion rings are great as well.

This sassy lass is Lindsey who works at Pete's Piano Bar

We included Lindsey's picture here because she is best friends with Sam....... the picture above this one.

They often visit each other at each of their respective places of work so we see Lindsey at the Steel Horse Saloon as well as Pete's Piano Bar where we enjoy the dueling pianos.

By the way, Lindsey is another of those girls that give us big time grief over our "diet cokes". She likes to ask if we are getting a "coke" buzz on yet. Ah yea, we know it is coming. VBG

Jason Wallace with Joyce at the Steel Horse Saloon in Key West

Justin greeted Joyce and I at the door every night when we visited the Steel Horse Saloon. It was Jason and Big Mike that stood guard at the door late at night to keep under age individuals from sneaking in the door. Well --------- they checked ID's but I suppose they were there to handle anyone that decided to get out of line.

Jason is from Key West but he has lived all over Georgia before returning to Key West.

Joyce and I have a friend for life.

Mike the bouncer and Mike the good-guy at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon Key West, Florida

Big Mike is the official door man at the Steel Horse Saloon. Night time patrons have to show Mike their picture ID's.

During the day the Steel Horse Saloon turns into a BBQ Restaurant with an open bar. Families stop in to dine in the open atmosphere.

When the Country Bands start playing ..... around 9:30 to 10:00 each night is when Mike mans the door and insists on an ID. Now mind you the kitchen stays open until closing time and that would be some time after 2:00 in the morning.

The BBQ in the Steel Horse is as good as you will get anywhere and much better than anywhere else in Key West.

Heidi the bar tender "Manager" at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon in Key West, Florida

We remember Heidi from her days as a bar tender at Cowboy Bill's on Duval Street. Heidi is a Pennsylvania girl.......well she was a Pennsylvania girl. She is an Island girl now. VBG

Heidi the bar tender & Mike in the world famous Steel Horse Saloon Key West, Florida

Mike has always got to mess up a good picture. He just can't help himself.

Chuck aka "Big Daddy" Meier with Mike in the world famous Steel Horse Saloon Key West, Florida

Our friend Chuck aka "Big Daddy" Meier the DJ and head "security" guy at the Steel Horse Saloon, in Key West.

Joyce and Brian one of our friends at the world famous Steel Horse Saloon in Key West, Florida

Brian is a bar tender in the Steel Horse Saloon. Brian would always stop and chat with us. Brian has never met anyone he did not like. He has personality plus. Brian would stop by our table and tell us "you baby boomers know how to rock". He told us that we reminded him of his parents.

Brian's parents are coming to Key West the end of February and we are looking forward to meeting them. OH BOY do we have things to discuss with his Mom and Dad. VBG

Amber Ramsey was our special little cherub at the Steel Horse Saloon

Amber was a go-getter. During the day she split her time between the Steel Horse Saloon and an upscale white tablecloth place then at night she worked at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Chuck aka "Big Daddy" Meier with Joyce in the world famous Steel Horse Saloon in Key West, Florida

Chuck, aka "Big Daddy" Meier is the DJ and head bouncer in the Steel Horse Saloon.

We became friends with Chuck during our stay in Key West in January and February of 2012.

We became friends when we found out Chuck had been stationed in Pensacola during his days as a Navy Rescue Swimmer. We have a travel log that gives more information about Chuck's days as a Navy Rescue Swimmer.

Chuck, is a certified "Key West Character". Of course Key West is full of colorful "characters"........ so Big Daddy is only one of them. Actually, Chuck has led a pretty adventurous life.

During the Iraq War years Chuck worked as a contractor for Blackwater over in "The Sandbox" as he refers to his life in Iraq.

You can read the complete story of "Big Daddy's" years in the Sand Box in his book "Letters from the Sandbox" available here:

Big Daddy during "good times" in Iraq aka, The Sandbox

Big Daddy's Bad Day in the Sandbox

Big Daddy as the DJ and head of security for the world Famous Steel Horse Saloon in Key West, Florida

Chuck "Big Daddy" life as a Navy Rescue Swimmer

Big Daddy Meier has written a book "Letters from the Sand Box" that you can order here: Letters from the Sand Box