I'll put some pictures on this post as soon as the people who took all the pictures (my sister and Linda) send me some. I am a slacker picture taker and have not much more than the Bahia Honda Bridge and the Miami skyline.
7-13
Opened the engine room to see what’s going on with the engine room bilge pump running periodically. A fitting on the A/C had worn out and a trip to West Marine and another half hour of work had us back in business. It was HOT in the meantime! Late day we wanted to take the dinghy to Keys Fishery for some fish to bring back and grill. The dinghy engine would NOT start…..Eventually we went to the pool for a swim and back on board I found shrimp in the freezer so we got by with a little jambalaya.
7-14
Harold greeted the day by telling me that when he gets a new motor for the dinghy it is going to be electric start so we don’t have any more pull start problems. Late day, John, Linda, Ray and Suzy arrived and got checked in at Blackfin, the resort next door. We got together for cocktails and a swim (their pool is even hotter than ours!) then went to the Hurricane for dinner – it was wing night and they are always mobbed. But we got a table and ate a lot of wings and French fries then made plans for tomorrow.
7-15
Up early getting the boat ready for our adventure. Harold stowed the dinghy under the dock. The gang arrived with gear and food and drink and we were off the dock by 9 am. We headed first to Looe Key (which is not a key at all, but a reef area ). It is about 20 miles south of where we go under the 7 Mile Bridge. We snagged a mooring ball and got in the water. There were quite a few boats there, including several tourist boats. We were kind of disappointed in the bottom, as we were evidently quite a ways from the actual reef, but there were tons of beautiful fish. Back on board we had lunch and then headed back north toward Sombrero Reef. It is right off Marathon. Snagged another mooring ball and back in the water. Linda actually came in this time (weeny!). Same deal – no reef but lots of fish. Back at the dock, we all went for a drink and a swim in our pool, then got cleaned up and went over to John’s marina for pizza delivered by Papa John. By the time the mosquitoes started, it was time to come home.
7-16
John and group were here right on time at 10 am. We loaded our gear on his boat and headed for the ocean to explore Molasses and Monkey Keys. Pretty much nothing. Cruised down and crossed under Bahia Honda Bridge and headed back north. The restaurant we were headed for is apparently not waterfront, so we headed for the Island Fish Co. We had a good lunch and then headed through Vaca Cut. We cruised several canals – looks like most of those people are doing just fine. John had spotted a reef that he wanted to explore, but we didn’t know exactly how to get there, so we went back to Sombrero Reef. John had a fair amount of trouble with his boat – there is an incredible amount of sea grass both in the bay and the ocean and it gets sucked into the jets of his engines. They finally figured out that when the intakes get clogged someone has to go under the boat with a mask on and pull the crap out of the intake. Back at the boat we showered and changed and by the time Suzy called with dinner plans, we politely declined, jammied up and ate our leftover chicken wings.
7-17
John and I went to Publix for a few staples (beer). He said Suzy was down for the count and she and Linda were going to chill today, but he and Ray were going to find the Little Palm Resort. We were up to go along, so about 10:30 we shoved off. Hadn’t gone far before that whole sea grass thing became a problem again. So instead of inside, we went out in the ocean, but it wasn’t much better. We got almost to Big Pine and called for local knowledge for a restaurant, got a reply and were headed in Pine Channel when there were bigger issues of water in the bilge. One of the side problems was that a latch broke over the engine cover. Unfortunately, if that hatch can’t stay down, the starboard engine won’t start because that latch controls the kill switch….Ray sat on the hatch up to the restaurant, but that is not a feasible solution to coming back 40 some miles. The boys figured out what was going on and we got to the restaurant, Parrotdise, where we had an excellent lunch. A lobster Reuben – awesome! And over lunch, the Boy Scouts figured out a solution to the latch problem which worked perfectly! Back at the boat, we took a swim and cleaned up and later the gang picked us up to go to El Siboney for a wonderful Cuban meal. The gang will be pulling out in the morning and we will follow on Tuesday. Busy day tomorrow getting stuff stored for travel.
7-18
Got the dinghy up in her cradle first thing this morning. Stowed the motor for the dinghy in the cockpit ready to hand off to Big Hal on the way home. I stowed all the life jackets and generally put things away. Two sailboats left this morning, we leave tomorrow, and Ken and Diane leave Wednesday. Hope there will be a lot of lobster seekers coming in! Went to the Hurricane for pizza and beer with Dan and Biddi and their visitors, Candy and Hulgr. Our new neighbors, Wes and Cookie, came in and joined us. We all made it back for sunset with Ken and Diane.
7-19
Larry came and pumped us out and we said good bye to Ken and Diane, loosened the lines, and were off the dock at 9:30. We trawled up the inside until after lunchtime, then ramped her up and continued on to Key Biscayne. It was a nice ride and really nice to cruise under the new bridge over Jewfish Creek where we once had to sit for an hour waiting for the old bridge to open. We had rain off of Key Largo and again out in Biscayne Bay. By 5 pm we were anchored off of Key Biscayne with only one other boat. We had cocktails and black beans and rice on the sundeck, watched a movie and crashed. 85 nm
7-20
Harold was in the engine room checking things out when Big Hal called a 7 to tell us that the ocean looked like a mill pond. The minute we stepped out onto the sundeck we were covered in mosquitoes! The wind had switched to the west overnight and they must have blown in from the Everglades. We pulled anchor at 7:30 and were out Government Cut in the ocean by 8:20. Big Hal was right! It was smooth as glass, but rolling. We had a beautiful ride! By noon we were almost to Lake Worth Inlet and the sea had started to pick up to 1-2. We came in St Lucie Inlet and were at the dock at the Jensen Beach Marriott by 2:45. Dockmaster Richard helped us fuel and get docked. The Everglades mosquitoes must have spent the trip in our dock lines because they were still awful as we fueled! Harold washed down the boat – she was SALTY! I alerted Judy and Jan that we would be home tomorrow. We went to the pool for a swim (and a Mudslide), came back and showered then went to the restaurant for dinner. Their menu has changed and we were a little disappointed. Back on the boat we put in a DVD and I don’t think either of us got through the opening credits! 99nm
7-21
We puttered around, Harold checked out the engine room, and we pulled out about 10:30. We trawled up to Ft. Pierce, then picked it up and had an uneventful cruise back to home port. Ralph was very excited to see us! Jan and Alan bought pizza and we shared our adventures. 69 nm
7-22
Let the laundry begin!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Winding down
7-11
Hal and Heather got packed up and organized. Harold walked to the office to tell them we REALLY needed our holding tank pumped out – too much company this weekend! We took a ride up to Key Colony Beach to see a place Harold had read about in the local rag, stopped for a pizza and one more Publix run. By that time it was time for them to head back to Key West to turn in the car and be on the hydrofoil by 5. Collapse time for us! And a LARGE load of towels! We love, love, love to see them, but it is sure nice and quiet when everyone leaves. Finally, a sunset!!
When we got home from sunset watch, I jumped in the shower as we had eaten dinner on the sundeck and it was HOT! Harold followed me and about five minutes later he came out all soaped up and ran to the cockpit. Apparently the last time he filled the fresh water tank he underestimated how full it was and he ran out of water halfway through his shower. Fortunately, the hose was hooked up to shore water so at least he could get rinsed (and it was dark out so no one was embarrassed, not that he would have been)!
7-12
Happily, the water problem was just underestimating how full the tank was when we reset the counter. We filled it to full and are back in business. About 11, we headed with Ken and our hookah over to Dan’s boat to see what was on his prop. Harold got suited up and went down to find a huge piece of 1” line which looked to be off a mooring ball wrapped around his prop. That should make it run better!! We celebrated that accomplishment with Bloody Marys! Lunch and a movie on the boat, then get ready for our last Taco Tuesday! After dinner on our dock, then over to the point for sunset. We
have gotten into a real routine and are a little sad about having to leave for home next week.
Hal and Heather got packed up and organized. Harold walked to the office to tell them we REALLY needed our holding tank pumped out – too much company this weekend! We took a ride up to Key Colony Beach to see a place Harold had read about in the local rag, stopped for a pizza and one more Publix run. By that time it was time for them to head back to Key West to turn in the car and be on the hydrofoil by 5. Collapse time for us! And a LARGE load of towels! We love, love, love to see them, but it is sure nice and quiet when everyone leaves. Finally, a sunset!!
When we got home from sunset watch, I jumped in the shower as we had eaten dinner on the sundeck and it was HOT! Harold followed me and about five minutes later he came out all soaped up and ran to the cockpit. Apparently the last time he filled the fresh water tank he underestimated how full it was and he ran out of water halfway through his shower. Fortunately, the hose was hooked up to shore water so at least he could get rinsed (and it was dark out so no one was embarrassed, not that he would have been)!7-12
Happily, the water problem was just underestimating how full the tank was when we reset the counter. We filled it to full and are back in business. About 11, we headed with Ken and our hookah over to Dan’s boat to see what was on his prop. Harold got suited up and went down to find a huge piece of 1” line which looked to be off a mooring ball wrapped around his prop. That should make it run better!! We celebrated that accomplishment with Bloody Marys! Lunch and a movie on the boat, then get ready for our last Taco Tuesday! After dinner on our dock, then over to the point for sunset. We
have gotten into a real routine and are a little sad about having to leave for home next week.
Monday, July 11, 2011
July
7-1
Up early – Harold is still sleeping since he couldn’t sleep last night. After coffee we both got busy, Harold organized dinghy accessories and I vacuumed and dusted indoors. Then I went to the sundeck and attacked the screens with the vacuum. Bugs go in between the screens and the plastic and die. After that I attacked the two plastic windows on the west (shady) side of the boat with cleaner and polish. They look much better, but are probably on their way out. The fly bridge has been replaced, but these are original and the plastic gets where you can’t see through it any longer. When the sun goes over the yardarm perhaps I will do the other two. Harold is working on hard wiring his alarm system and has a brilliant idea for mounting a part of it so we walk across the street to Home Depot. It is huge and the first place we have encountered really friendly, helpful people. However, neither of us found what we were looking for, so maybe a trip to West Marine later. Back on the boat, we had some nachos for lunch and Harold is napping. The weather is still cloudy, but the sun is out today and it is just too hot to work outside midday. Around 3, we got back on task, I finished the other two windows and was soaked with sweat. Dan had come by to suggest dinking down to Keys Fisheries for dinner about 4:30. I showered and we motored on down. Ken and Diane were delayed because the water was too high and Bob couldn’t get off the boat, so we cocktailed until they got there. In the meantime, the restaurant ran out of mac and cheese with lobster, which was my objective! However, they did have whole fried snapper which is another one of my faves. Dan invited us all to go on his boat tomorrow to Sombrero Reef and then for supper at Lazy Days.
7-2
Up early to pack gear for our boat trip. By the time I got out of the boat, plans had changed to include Ken taking his boat also. So I made our sandwiches and gathered our gear and we all met on Dan and Biddi’s boat for Bloody Marys at 9:30. Diana came by and agreed that a boat ride trumped washing her boat, so she went to get her gear. We all finally got going and by the time we were about half way out to the reef, it was obviously just too windy and rough to enjoy ourselves snorkeling, so we just headed in to Lazy Days and had a really good lunch. Diana went back with Ken and Diane and Dan gave us a complete tour of Boot Key Harbor. We took a swim, showered and collected with friends on the dock for a while. This place is packed for the holiday weekend so we plan to just stay put until things slow down on Tuesday. Great news when we got back to our boat – sister Sue is going to fly in Thursday and come down with Hal and Kim for the weekend, and Holly and Pete are going to come down also and get reacquainted with her cousins. It should be a great weekend!
7-3
This place is packed with 4th of July vacationers! Probably won’t want to go in the pool for a couple of days after all the kids that have been in it today! Since most of them are only here for the holiday, we are just going to chill and let them all have their fun.
7-4
One big burst of rain this morning, and by the time we got the bridge closed it was over. But the sky is gray and overcast and promises more rain later. The die-hards go out anyway and by mid-afternoon they were all back cleaning scuba gear and fishing equipment. We went to Publix and Winn Dixie in Ken’s car with Dan and Biddi and picked up some very nice steaks for dinner. Those stores were a zoo also! Had cocktails with Diana on the sundeck and then cooked up our steaks and some corn on the cob. Took a walk over to the point about dark and some people over there had lots of big, loud fireworks, and we could see the ones from Sombrero Beach over the tree tops, so we got twice our money’s worth!
7-5
Harold washed down the boat and decided he needed a couple of things from Home Depot. We stopped in the office to book another room for the upcoming weekend gang. That turned out to be such an incredible deal that finally Harold went to HD by himself! We finally accomplished getting a double room in the same building as Hal and Kim and getting Hal and Kim the “family” rate. Morning chores were dishes, vacuuming, defrosting the ice maker, and doing mirrors and bathrooms. It’s Taco Tuesday again. Harold and Dan made plans to get Harold under his boat tomorrow morning with his hookah and check out what might have gotten wrapped around his prop on Saturday.
7-6
It’s been raining overnight and the forecast is for more, so we are doing indoor stuff today. Harold has repaired all the TV tables so that they are not as wobbly. He bailed the dinghy mid-afternoon and we took a short spin.
7-7
REALLY raining today! Radar doesn’t look good and apparently in Satellite Beach they are having drenching rain also. Lots of authoring and reading today because just about the time you think you can go out it is pouring again. We were about to have grilled cheese sandwiches on board when the sky started to lighten up and we braved a walk to the Hurricane for 25 cent wing night. Excellent as always! The family will be here tomorrow – can’t wait!
7-8
Up early to get everything shipshape for the arriving family. A little after noon Harold had assembled all the gear he needed to go down and check and clean the boat bottom. About that time the contingent from California and West Palm pulled up – sister, brother and sister-in-law. So we took time out for some refreshments before Big Hal (my brother, that distinguishes him from Little Hal, my son) went out to spot Harold cleaning the boat. Hal and Heather took the hydrofoil from Ft. Myers to Key West, then were to taxi to the airport and rent a car. We were anxious for them to get here – they texted that they were “on their way” but that apparently didn’t mean that they had actually taxied to the airport or rented a car yet…. They got here eventually and everyone finally got checked into their rooms and we took the boat and went to Island Fish Company for a lively evening meal! The party continued in the pool where someone had the good sense to make my sister stop drinking.
7-9
By the time everyone was organized, Holly, (my niece) and her boyfriend, Pete, had arrived from West Palm. We had coffee and bagels and divvied up into two cars and headed for Key West. Had lunch and drinks at Sloppy Joes, visited the Kino factory for sandals, had drinks at Hog’s Breath, visited the Rum Barrel (more drinks), shopped a myriad of t-shirt and souvenir shops, had drinks (are you sensing a theme here?) at the Flying Monkey and headed back.
The Hillcher car made a detour to visit our old house – hasn’t changed much in the last 45 years! Back at the ranch we all went to the pool, perhaps we had some more drinks, then we all went to the Hurricane for dinner (and drinks). By the time that was over, everyone pretty much collapsed in the nearest bed.
7-10
The Hutchins clan went to the Stuffed Pig for breakfast while the Hillcher’s had bagels on the boat. (You can’t find a decent bagel in Marathon.) Holly and Pete headed out and pretty soon, after helping (?) some new boat owners get their way too big for a trailer boat out on the pathetic little boat ramp here, the men loaded our old dinghy into the back of Big Hal’s truck and he, Sue and Kim headed back to West Palm. We took our kids to Lazy Days for lunch, Hal and Heather took the dinghy out for a ride,
came back and swam, then Harold and Heather and I took advantage of their car and took a ride around town and stocked up at Publix. Remember that first day we were here and our promise to walk to Publix every day? Fooled you!! Back on the boat we had a picnic dinner of hot dogs, macaroni salad and chips. Watched some TV and crashed.
Up early – Harold is still sleeping since he couldn’t sleep last night. After coffee we both got busy, Harold organized dinghy accessories and I vacuumed and dusted indoors. Then I went to the sundeck and attacked the screens with the vacuum. Bugs go in between the screens and the plastic and die. After that I attacked the two plastic windows on the west (shady) side of the boat with cleaner and polish. They look much better, but are probably on their way out. The fly bridge has been replaced, but these are original and the plastic gets where you can’t see through it any longer. When the sun goes over the yardarm perhaps I will do the other two. Harold is working on hard wiring his alarm system and has a brilliant idea for mounting a part of it so we walk across the street to Home Depot. It is huge and the first place we have encountered really friendly, helpful people. However, neither of us found what we were looking for, so maybe a trip to West Marine later. Back on the boat, we had some nachos for lunch and Harold is napping. The weather is still cloudy, but the sun is out today and it is just too hot to work outside midday. Around 3, we got back on task, I finished the other two windows and was soaked with sweat. Dan had come by to suggest dinking down to Keys Fisheries for dinner about 4:30. I showered and we motored on down. Ken and Diane were delayed because the water was too high and Bob couldn’t get off the boat, so we cocktailed until they got there. In the meantime, the restaurant ran out of mac and cheese with lobster, which was my objective! However, they did have whole fried snapper which is another one of my faves. Dan invited us all to go on his boat tomorrow to Sombrero Reef and then for supper at Lazy Days.
7-2
Up early to pack gear for our boat trip. By the time I got out of the boat, plans had changed to include Ken taking his boat also. So I made our sandwiches and gathered our gear and we all met on Dan and Biddi’s boat for Bloody Marys at 9:30. Diana came by and agreed that a boat ride trumped washing her boat, so she went to get her gear. We all finally got going and by the time we were about half way out to the reef, it was obviously just too windy and rough to enjoy ourselves snorkeling, so we just headed in to Lazy Days and had a really good lunch. Diana went back with Ken and Diane and Dan gave us a complete tour of Boot Key Harbor. We took a swim, showered and collected with friends on the dock for a while. This place is packed for the holiday weekend so we plan to just stay put until things slow down on Tuesday. Great news when we got back to our boat – sister Sue is going to fly in Thursday and come down with Hal and Kim for the weekend, and Holly and Pete are going to come down also and get reacquainted with her cousins. It should be a great weekend!
7-3
This place is packed with 4th of July vacationers! Probably won’t want to go in the pool for a couple of days after all the kids that have been in it today! Since most of them are only here for the holiday, we are just going to chill and let them all have their fun.
7-4
One big burst of rain this morning, and by the time we got the bridge closed it was over. But the sky is gray and overcast and promises more rain later. The die-hards go out anyway and by mid-afternoon they were all back cleaning scuba gear and fishing equipment. We went to Publix and Winn Dixie in Ken’s car with Dan and Biddi and picked up some very nice steaks for dinner. Those stores were a zoo also! Had cocktails with Diana on the sundeck and then cooked up our steaks and some corn on the cob. Took a walk over to the point about dark and some people over there had lots of big, loud fireworks, and we could see the ones from Sombrero Beach over the tree tops, so we got twice our money’s worth!
7-5
Harold washed down the boat and decided he needed a couple of things from Home Depot. We stopped in the office to book another room for the upcoming weekend gang. That turned out to be such an incredible deal that finally Harold went to HD by himself! We finally accomplished getting a double room in the same building as Hal and Kim and getting Hal and Kim the “family” rate. Morning chores were dishes, vacuuming, defrosting the ice maker, and doing mirrors and bathrooms. It’s Taco Tuesday again. Harold and Dan made plans to get Harold under his boat tomorrow morning with his hookah and check out what might have gotten wrapped around his prop on Saturday.
7-6
It’s been raining overnight and the forecast is for more, so we are doing indoor stuff today. Harold has repaired all the TV tables so that they are not as wobbly. He bailed the dinghy mid-afternoon and we took a short spin.
7-7
REALLY raining today! Radar doesn’t look good and apparently in Satellite Beach they are having drenching rain also. Lots of authoring and reading today because just about the time you think you can go out it is pouring again. We were about to have grilled cheese sandwiches on board when the sky started to lighten up and we braved a walk to the Hurricane for 25 cent wing night. Excellent as always! The family will be here tomorrow – can’t wait!
7-8
Up early to get everything shipshape for the arriving family. A little after noon Harold had assembled all the gear he needed to go down and check and clean the boat bottom. About that time the contingent from California and West Palm pulled up – sister, brother and sister-in-law. So we took time out for some refreshments before Big Hal (my brother, that distinguishes him from Little Hal, my son) went out to spot Harold cleaning the boat. Hal and Heather took the hydrofoil from Ft. Myers to Key West, then were to taxi to the airport and rent a car. We were anxious for them to get here – they texted that they were “on their way” but that apparently didn’t mean that they had actually taxied to the airport or rented a car yet…. They got here eventually and everyone finally got checked into their rooms and we took the boat and went to Island Fish Company for a lively evening meal! The party continued in the pool where someone had the good sense to make my sister stop drinking.
7-9
By the time everyone was organized, Holly, (my niece) and her boyfriend, Pete, had arrived from West Palm. We had coffee and bagels and divvied up into two cars and headed for Key West. Had lunch and drinks at Sloppy Joes, visited the Kino factory for sandals, had drinks at Hog’s Breath, visited the Rum Barrel (more drinks), shopped a myriad of t-shirt and souvenir shops, had drinks (are you sensing a theme here?) at the Flying Monkey and headed back.
The Hillcher car made a detour to visit our old house – hasn’t changed much in the last 45 years! Back at the ranch we all went to the pool, perhaps we had some more drinks, then we all went to the Hurricane for dinner (and drinks). By the time that was over, everyone pretty much collapsed in the nearest bed.
7-10
The Hutchins clan went to the Stuffed Pig for breakfast while the Hillcher’s had bagels on the boat. (You can’t find a decent bagel in Marathon.) Holly and Pete headed out and pretty soon, after helping (?) some new boat owners get their way too big for a trailer boat out on the pathetic little boat ramp here, the men loaded our old dinghy into the back of Big Hal’s truck and he, Sue and Kim headed back to West Palm. We took our kids to Lazy Days for lunch, Hal and Heather took the dinghy out for a ride,
came back and swam, then Harold and Heather and I took advantage of their car and took a ride around town and stocked up at Publix. Remember that first day we were here and our promise to walk to Publix every day? Fooled you!! Back on the boat we had a picnic dinner of hot dogs, macaroni salad and chips. Watched some TV and crashed.
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