R & R in Marathon!

Bahia Honda State Park! Two weeks ago we dropped our mooring ball and set sail for Bahia Honda for a little R&R. The weather didn't look promising for this particular Sunday. It was overcast and threatening to down pour on us. Which it did as we went out the channel and entered into the ocean. We received a good washing and had difficulty seeing the many crab pots for a short time. When the sky cleared we had the winds on our nose, oh well maybe we will sail on the way back, for now the iron jenny works well.

The picture was taken at sunset Sunday night. We were at anchor between the bridges. The weather cleared quite nicely and lent it's self to a beautiful day on Monday.

We took this picture on Monday of our boat/home peacefully at anchor with the other bridge/US 1 on the North side. The rock wall in the foreground is the channel into the marina and we were standing on the beach. The depth in the channel is too shallow for us to bring our boat to shore so we dinghy in. Earlier we took a dinghy ride around the Key stopping now and then to cool off in the water.

Tuesday afternoon we headed back to Marathon and were treated to a wonderful sail. The winds were out of the Southeast and we were on a beam reach with the only sound, the water rushing along the hull. It felt great to be energize in such a relaxing way. Traveling down the coast on the ICW renders us few opportunities to to sail, this was a treat.

A Visit to North Fort Myers! Two weekends ago we rented a car and took a land trip up to visit with Mom and Dad. When we stay in Marathon it lends us a short trip to visit with them. We plan to take advantage of this again while we are here. We had a great visit it's always better than a phone call. They, like us, would like to see warmer temps and less Northerly blows.

The gator in the picture was sunning himself at the visitors center along the Tamiami Trail route 41 on our ride up. He was one of many that we saw along the water as we drove.

This is a picture of me and my girlfriend Karen having lunch during our visit to North Fort Myers. She was also visiting her parents in Bonita Springs a town just South of Fort Myers. It was good to have a visit together. It's been two years since we last saw each other. Karen lives outside of Rochester, NY. She visited us the first year we were in Florida and is planning to visit us again this Winter.

Key West! Yesterday, Monday, Martin Luther King Holiday, we took the bus to Key West. This was our second trip to Key West this season. The US Government has created a new form of identification for Port Authority workers. They have also included Captains into this. Which meant Larry had to apply for a TWIC card (Transportation Workers Identification Card). This process took two trips in person to a port of entry. Larry had two choices to go, one being Miami and the other Key West. He had read that Key West had the shortest wait time once you arrived, with or without an appointment. The first trip he had an appointment for early afternoon. We got there early to allow ourselves plenty of time to find the office. We got there several hours early but only had to wait a short time and they took him. This time we had an early appointment to pick up the card and he was taken upon arrival. The second appointment was quick.

After his appointment we walked in the direction of Mallory Square. Along the way we stopped for lunch at Schooner's on the water. The day was full of changes as far as the weather went. During our walk and before lunch we had to duck under an awning to escape getting soaked from a passing shower. This had cooled the wind considerably. It was pleasant to look out over the water while eating but a little on the chilly side.

After eating we walked to the Mel Fisher Museum and took a tour. Mel Fisher was a treasure diver and has discovered some wrecks dating back to the 1600's. After spending several hours reading and viewing at the museum we walked back to Mallory Square to see the wares of the vendors and see the entertainment. Things were just getting started and the wind was strong coming off the water. We decided not to stay long when the sun set it would get even colder. We walked down Duval St. and stopped at Fogerty's for a rum, after which we caught a bus for the ride back to Marathon. It was dark and around 9 PM when we arrived back at the boat and called it a night after something to eat.

Holidays In Marathon!

It's hard to believe we have been in Marathon for just over two weeks now. We were both very tired when we arrived but have managed to do several maintenance jobs in spite of it.

I started back at Castaway's Restaurant the Friday after Christmas. It has been great to see all my friends there and it didn't take me long to get back into the swing. We had a very busy night last night, New Year's Eve. Larry joined me after things settled down and we ate before ringing in the New Year with the gang. It made for a late night so we haven't left the boat as of yet today. I have to work tonight and will go to shore for a shower before leaving for Castaway's.

It was different staying here in Marathon for Christmas. We joined our friends Pete and Dee (S/V Windlass) at Dockside Bar and Grill for a gathering of cruisers and a pot luck dinner, complete with live music. They had a full place and had to turn away several people. If you brought a dish to pass your dinner was free. If you didn't you paid $10 each. What a deal! Dockside provided turkey, roast pig and ham. If you went away hunger it was your own fault. I believe a good time was had by all.

The picture shows our new dinghy (inflatable roll up) we bought in Virginia off another cruiser. Larry in the picture has our Mercury 3.3 on it but has since bought a used Mariner 8 hp off another cruiser down here. He was test driving it but we have to wait for our registration to arrive before we can use it full time. We are also having the new engine tuned up at a local boat shop tomorrow. I'll be taking this dinghy to work at night and Larry doesn't want to have to rescue me late at night. I appreciate that.

We have made two trips to Sombrero Beach so far and intend to get ourselves there more often this season. The picture was a sand igloo some beach goer had sculpted. I'm not sure if they just had a good sense of humor or longed for some snow for the Holidays. Our second visit to the beach we were amazed a how crowed it was. We decided to wait until after the Holidays to make a return trip.