Slowing Down

Elizabeth commented the other day that we should slow down because the weather in RI is just nasty. The weather today in Miami is warm, sunny and windy.  With the wind blowing strong we have decided to stay another night. We want to cruise on the Atlantic side of Florida from Fort Lauderdale to North Palm Beach, because the section of the ICW in that area is very slow going. Today on the outside would have been a very uncomfortable ride. Tomorrow the wind is going to be calmer so we will leave then. We will be stopping at different places that we did not see on the way down. So don't worry we will be enjoying the trip North and won't be back until the snow and ice are gone.
Pizza tonight.

Back In Miami

It's funny to think that it took us 26 days to get from Miami to Key West when going south and it only took 1 day on the northbound trip.
 I had to get Bob out of the Keys fast or he might never have left. There was no point prolonging the pain. I am sure that we will be this way again.
We are back  in Miami and will stay until Monday. We don't want to travel on the weekend. We were on the water Saturday in Miami and it was like morning traffic on route 95. We are at a marina here. Brady needed solid ground to get his business done. He did okay for being on the boat 30 hours straight but I think that was his limit. We are going to anchor out every other time.
We have traveled farther each day since leaving Key West, 75 miles each day. The weather and the fact that we were not traveling through Manatee Zones made that possible. I am sure the next few days we won't get that far because this is the area were there are a lot of bridges and Manatee Zones. We are going to try to be home by early April as long as the weather permits.
Breakfast is French Toast and Sausage.
I think I am going to grill chicken on George Foreman grill tonight.

Quiet

After peeling Bob's hands off the docks of Key West and putting him on the boat, we have begun our journey north. He was not ready to leave, but all good things must come to an end.  I told him that the adventure is not over, we still have 1648 miles to get back home.
We have anchored in Long Key. There is only 1 other boat  here and it is so peaceful and serene. It makes you wonder why we have not done more of it. Brady will have to do his business on the boat since we have not inflated our dinghy. Check back tomorrow to see how that worked out.  We hope to do more anchoring on our way north.
I am making pasta with olive oil, garlic and spinach tonight.

Wasting Away In...

Cruise ship docked Key West

"Freedom" is a big lady

Big tarpon right by the boat slips

Barry the 1st mate on the Eva Marie
wrestles with the tarpon

A pirates life for me!

Elizabeth is "hooked" on this guy

Bob cops a free feel

The whole crew at Mallory Square

Early morning fishing trip

Barry 1st mate on the Eva Marie

Our friend Eddie invited Sean and I
to join him on the fishing trip

Sean catches his first fish a nice Bonito

Smile for the camera

Fish On!

Eddie reels one in from the fighting chair

Eddie shows off his Bonito

Sean puts his back into it

Proof that we made it all the way

...Margaritaville.  This is the last day here for us and also for Elizabeth and Sean. We are so sorry to see them go. We have had a great time these last few days with them.  We all walked to the Mel Fisher Museum where Bob, Elizabeth and Sean went in and Brady and I sat out and people watched. We then went to Mallory Square and just sat there and enjoyed looking out at Sunset Key and dreaming. Later that night the 3 of them went out to dinner and Brady and I stayed back on the boat. Now I don't want anyone feeling bad for me because I was left out. I have a great time knowing they were having fun.
While we were sitting out on the back of the boat one night a man who is staying in the resort came down to tell us that he and his wife saw us come in and liked our boat. He told us that he had gone fishing and offered us some of his catch. We of course said yes. He brought us some mackerel and tuna.  We cooked it for dinner and it was delicious. The next day he left a note on our boat asking if Bob and Sean would like to join him for fishing the next day. They were thrilled, went fishing with Eddie and had a great time. They found out that he lives on Cape Cod and he has invited us to visit him and his family this summer.
We did go to Mallory Square at sunset for the celebration that is held there every night. They have all sorts of people who perform different things like a man juggling fire, one playing banjo with his dog who takes the dollar bills from people's hand and drops it into a hat and a guy who just tumbles around.
One night Elizabeth was determined to find a restaurant who would accept dogs. She made numerous calls and found the Schooner Wharf which said yes,  as long as the dog is well behaved, and if there's a "clean-up in aisle two" we would take care of it. We all got to go out for dinner with Brady and had so much fun. Thanks to her for not giving up till she found one.
We all wanted to get to the Southern Most Point together today but that did not work out.  Bob had the pumpout boat coming today supposedly at 9:30 am. Elizabeth and Sean went out to visit the Hemmingway House and we would meet them after. Well, the boat did not arrive and he would not answer his vhf radio, so Elizabeth and Sean went to the Southernmost Point and when they returned we went. We wanted someone on the boat at all times in case the pumpout boat arrived. The boat never came and he finally answered the radio call and now will be here tomorrow at 7:30 am right before we leave.
I feel like I am just rambling on. I guess it's because I am wasting away in Margaritaville.

This Is The Day

At 12:30pm on Feb 20,2011 we have arrived  in Key West, Florida.
Can I get a Whoot.. Whoot. and High Fives all around .... Lets just say that words can't describe how great it feels to have come this far with our boat. It has been a dream for so long and now to see it come true is truly spectacular. We took a walk around today to really feel that we made it. We did stop and have a margarita, okay 2 margaritas (sorry Elizabeth, I told her I would wait for her to have my first) and lets say it was enjoyed very much. I am sure that will not be my last.
The Galleon Marina is in the middle of everything. It is almost too much for the mind to take it all in. There are 2 cruise ships in port. One is the Disney Magic and I don't know what the other one is yet. Maybe tomorrow we will walk that way and find out.
Now I thought I would give you some statistics for our trip so far.
Days On Board.....110
Nautical Miles.....1628
Diesel fuel used...1211gals
States cruised through...11
Memories Made...can't put a number on it.
Tomorrow we will get our visitors and can't wait to see them.
Tonight is pasta with salad.

Denise and Brady under the Tiki Hut in Maraton

Dreaming of margaritas in Margaritaville

Squint your eyes and see a loggerhead turtle

This guy is actually about 3' long
The picture was taken from a long distance

 

Disney Magic docked in Key West

"Magic"

6' tarpon taken from our slip at Galleon Marina

Another 4' tarpon

Proof that we're in Key West

Key West squirrel

No mom my feet aren't dirty
The "tiger stripes" are tan lines
from wearing sandles in paradise

Key West landmark

One More Day

We will be leaving here on Sunday. We will have spent 6 nights at this marina. I think that I mentioned before that the weather has been magnificent. Every day the temps have been in the high 70's to lower 80's with a slight breeze.
 The marina's in Marathon are off of Route 1. Just like at home it is a busy road filled with stores and restaurants. This marina is the last one in Marathon. When you get to Route 1 and head south you leave the busy section and head towards the bridge.
Today, Bob went for a very long walk over the bridge to Pigeon Key. Brady and I stayed on the boat for some quiet time. He says it was about 6 miles round trip.
Next stop is Key West and Elizabeth and Sean  will be coming in on Monday. We can't wait to see them.
Grilled Shrimp and Risotto tonight.

Sunsets

This spectacular sunset
got applause at the restaurant

The original 7 mile bridge was used as a railway
later converted to a very narrow 2 lane road
Now used by fishermen, bikers and walkers to reach Pigeon Key

On the 7 mile bridge

That's a vintage Trumpy Yacht anchored off of Boot Key Harbor

A large manatee getting a drink



He/ She must be 1000 lbs



"Give me a big sloppy kiss"

Making the rounds around the marina



Thought you might want to see another sunset

 The Marina we are at is known for the best sunsets in Marathon.. I can totally agree. Every night the sunsets are amazing. The restaurant on site has an outdoor seating area where everyone meets for the viewing. The weather continues to be nice.
Every morning there is a Mantee that wanders into the marina and stops at different boats. They are something to see up close.
Today we went for a walk over the 7 mile bridge. They have the old bridge that they turned  into a walking, biking path, and they have a new bridge for the cars. We did not walk the whole 7 miles, but we walked a ways.
We continue to meet very nice people every day.
I made a chicken pot pie tonight.

Marathon Part 2

The admiral and Brady on the boardwalk

Pic from Annies Beach Islamorada

Annies Beach scene

Marathon Marina

Portugese Man O War on Annies Beach

Entrance to Boot Key Harbor

At first I thought these were storks but when we
got closer we saw that it was cormorants
Each is standing on its own stick in the mud

Boot Key Harbor= cruiser central
300+ moorings and none empty

My idea of a winter scene

Today we moved to the other end of the harbor. We are in Marathon Marina. The last marina was within walking distance to the grocery store and K-mart. This one has some restaurants and a West Marine that we can walk to .As I said in the last post this area is crowded with cruisers, all the marina's are full. We have been lucky getting a slip down here. All the mooring balls in the harbor are taken. We will be here until Sunday.
We have been doing boat work since being in Marathon. Just like home, every once in a while you have to get down and dirty and really clean up.  Today is laundry day.
Yesterday I put a Pork Loin in the crock pot and  I have to say it was delicious.
Today is Valentine's Day and we will be getting takeout from the restaurant on the marina property.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE

Where The Loopers Go

For those that do not know what a Looper is, they are boaters that belong to an organization called Americas Great Loop. Anyone can become a member with the hopes of taking the Great Loop trip. That is a trip around the eastern half of the U.S. We are members that hope someday to do that. Here in this Marina in Marathon there are a lot of boats that fly the AGLCA flag. I have been following boating blogs for alot of the boats that I now see here.  Among all the blogs that I follow about half are somewhere in Marathon.
 I just read that there is a gathering of all members at one of the marinas here on Feb 24. Its to bad that we won't be here then.
They also have a cruisers net here. Every morning on VHF channel 68 they broadcast all the happenings in the area that all are welcome to participate in.
Today we are expecting some rain. I can not remember the last time we had a rainy day since arriving back on the boat in early Jan. Not suppose to rain all day, just a shower from time to time. It is suppose to clear up tomorrow morning.
The Sombrero Marina that we are staying at is about 1/2 mile from the main road where there is a publix and Kmart right at the corner. This marina does not offer too much, so its nice that we can at least walk to stores and restaurants.
We will be here until Monday when we will make the move to the 2nd marina in Marathon.
Pasta Primavera is on the menu tonight.

Time To Go

We will be leaving Plantation Yacht Harbor tomorrow. I must admit that I get a little antsy staying put longer than a week. Ok, maybe alot antsy. We have been here 12 nights and that is plenty of time in one spot.
We are moving to Marathon where we will spend 4 nights in one marina and move to another one for 6 nights.  A change in scenery is just what I need.
Tonight is pasta with olive oil, garlic and spinach....sounds good.

To check out Libertys current location......CLICK HERE!

Manatee Zone

Yesterday we got our first up close visit from a manatee. Yes, we did see some when we were in Miami, but not this close. Every day we walk off the docks we are always looking in the water to see what is floating there.  The water is clear and you can see the bottom. Yesterday I was walking back from the laundry room and saw a couple on a boat just a few slips over from ours taking pictures of something in the water and the husband was laying on his swim platform. As I got closer I realized that it was a manatee. The man had his water hose just dribbling in the water because manatee's like to drink fresh water. I went and got Bob and took our camera to get some pictures. They invited Bob on to there boat so he could get close and pet the manatee.  I told him that was his birthday present.
We have seen a variety of wildlife on our journey, osprey, egrets, pelicans, herons, ibis,other wading birds and my personal favorite, dolphins and manatees. So far we have not encountered alligators. We have been in areas where the signs say" don't get to close to the water ALLIGATORS". Bob is still hoping to see one, me not so much.
I heard through the grapevine that both of my brothers and their wives are heading to Florida this month. I guess they both saw the wisdom in their sisters decision to get out of the winter weather this year. I hope that they get good weather and enjoy their time away.
Going to rent a car this week and go explore more of the area by land.

We're not sure if this is a " Manny" or "Mandy"

A face only a mother could love

You can see a carrot in its mouth

Checking me out

I guess I look safe enough to approach

Not afraid at all