For most, turning 90 is a time for quiet reflection. For Adrienne Karp, it was the perfect excuse to gather four generations under the Florida sun for a week of high-seas adventure. Although her official birthday isn’t until July, Karp’s family flew into Marathon at the end of February to kick off the festivities early, honoring a woman whose connection to the Keys spans four decades.
The centerpiece of the week took place on Feb. 23, when Adrienne did what she loves most: She hit the water. A native New Yorker and retired audiologist, Adrienne swapped her home in Denver, Colorado, for the familiar salt air of the Reef Hotel. Accompanied by her family, she boarded the High Caliber with captain Jimmy Gagliardini – a tradition she’s maintained for nearly 16 years.
Karp’s love affair with the Florida Keys began 40 years ago, she told the Weekly. While she spent her youth freshwater fishing, she transitioned to the thrill of the ocean in her early 50s alongside her husband, Eric. Though Eric passed away 10 years ago, Adrienne has kept their shared passion alive.
For her, fishing isn’t just a hobby – it’s a weekly ritual. During her multi-month stays in Marathon, she can be found on the High Caliber at least once a week, proving that age is truly just a number when there is a rod in your hand.
“She’s been coming down here for four decades,” said Gagliardini. “The ocean is where she feels most at home. I’ve watched her bring in everything from snapper to stories over the last 16 years, and her energy hasn’t wavered once.
“For Adrienne, the deck of a boat isn’t just a place to fish; it’s where she’s most herself. She knows these waters as well as any local, and frankly, she might out-fish most of them, too.”
On her most recent excursion, with Gagliardini’s guidance, Karp proved she hadn’t lost her touch, successfully targeting multiple species of snapper. Following the successful excursion, her family gathered again on Feb. 25 for a grand celebration – a poignant reunion for a family spread across the globe, all descending on Marathon to celebrate Adrienne’s milestone year.
Karp is a study in independence. She currently resides in Marathon solo during her winter stays. In a testament to the lasting bonds she forms, she now rents the very same Reef Hotel unit she once owned from the couple who purchased it from her.
“I’ve had a wonderful time fishing with my grandkids this week. It keeps them on their toes,” she said. “When I’m not on the water, I keep myself busy. I love diving into a good nonfiction book or catching something on Turner Classic Movies, but I never miss a game.
“I’ll always be a New Yorker at heart with my Bills and Giants, but I’ve certainly found some room in my heart for the Chiefs, too. Between the sports and my mahjong games, there’s never a dull moment down here.”
As the party wound down, the atmosphere was one of dancing and deep gratitude. Whether she is analyzing a best-seller, cheering on a Sunday kickoff, or pulling a yellowtail over the gunwale, she continues a routine that has connected her to Marathon for decades.
